As I mentioned above, I have personal experience with Prozac (generic name is Fluoxetine). Basically, Prozac is just another antidepressant. There are three reasons why it has become a household word. One is that it is one of a family of antidepressants (SSRIs) which have more moderate side-effects than the older antidepressants. Many patients are put off by side-effects from an antidepressant (which are often temporary) and will therefore will not stay on it long enough for it to have an effect. This is one reason why doctors are often inclined to prescribe Prozac over older antidepressants.

Another reason Prozac is so well-known is simply because it was marketed extensively by the drug company that produces it. Finally, Prozac is a household name because of the stories in the news about people who apparently exhibited violent behavior while on it. The explosion of stories was primarily due to media sensationalism. While violent thoughts and behavior could be a side-effect for some people, it is very rare. Here is a link that has some in-depth information. Of course, a side-effect like this should be reported to your doctor.