Goodbye blues.

• Author: Partington, Marta
• Position: Eli Lilly Co.'s new anti-depressant drug Prozac

Only five drugs have billion-dollar sales. Eli Lilly's wonder drug for depression could be the next.

Not since Valium hit the market has a drug achieved such widespread, instant name recognition among consumers. From the covers of Newsweek and New York magazine to television and radio features, the media are touting Indianapolis-headquartered Eli Lilly and Company's new weapon against depression.

For Lilly, which developed and manufactures Prozac, the resulting hype has meant a 7 7/8 point jump in stock in one day and an estimated $300 million in revenues for 1989. It is estimated that sales of Prozac could top the billion dollar mark by the mid90's. Is Prozac worth all the hoopla? It depends upon whom you ask, but most physicians, patients and financial analysts agree that it definitely merits the lavish attention it's getting.

Ellie D., a 42-year-old businesswoman, began taking Prozac more than a year ago. "I was clinically depressed. If I'd been any more depressed, I would have been hospitalized," she says. "My business failed and I was facing bankruptcy. Shortly after that, my teenage son who had lived with me all his life suddenly decided to leave and move across country to live with his father. All I ever wanted to do was sleep and escape. I had no feelings at all. Everything looked hopeless."

According to Dr. Richard Rahdert, medical director at Wabash Valley Hospital in West Lafayette, Ellie exhibited many of the classic symptoms of depression: too much or too little sleep, appetite loss or gain, crying easily for no reason, a feeling of hopelessness, lack of energy, suicidal thoughts, a loss of self-esteem and poor concentration.

Ellie's friends arranged for her to see a therapist who suggested she try Prozac to treat her depression. "It was a subtle drug for me," she recalls. "I began feeling stronger and things stopped bothering me as much. I was up doing things, taking care of my problems one at a time and able to work with the therapist. I'll never forget the day the therapist looked at me and said, 'The sparkle's come back into your eyes.'"

Ellie stayed on Prozac for four months and shortly after that, was dismissed by her therapist. One year later, most of her problems have been solved. "My son moved back," she says, "and I was able to find a job that paid well. I can't attribute my success to Prozac, but the medication gave me the right frame of mind to start working on my problems."

Although the efficacy of the treatment in...