* Generic Name: fluoxetine hcl
* Brand Name: Prozac
* What is fluoxetine?
* What are the possible side effects of fluoxetine?
* What is the most important information I should know about
fluoxetine?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
fluoxetine?
* How should I take fluoxetine?
* What happens if I miss a dose?
* What happens if I overdose?
* What should I avoid while taking fluoxetine?
* What other drugs will affect fluoxetine?
* Where can I get more information?
What is fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRI) antidepressant. Fluoxetine affects chemicals in the
brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression, panic, anxiety,
or obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Fluoxetine is used to treat major depressive disorder, bulimia
nervosa (an eating disorder) obsessive-compulsive disorder,
panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Fluoxetine is sometimes used together with another medication called
olanzapine (Zyprexa) to treat manic depression caused by
bipolar disorder. This combination is also used to treat depression
after at least 2 other medications have been tried without successful
treatment of symptoms.
If you also take olanzapine (Zyprexa), read the Zyprexa medication
guide and all patient warnings and instructions provided with that
medication.
Fluoxetine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of fluoxetine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips,
tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or
behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if
you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless,
hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts
about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or
seeing halos around lights;
* high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation,
hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;
* low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, slurred
speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination,
feeling unsteady;
* severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high
fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors,
feeling like you might pass out; or
* severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face
or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or
purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper
body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Common side effects may include:
* sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
* headache, dizziness, vision changes;
* tremors or shaking, feeling anxious or nervous;
* pain, weakness, yawning, tired feeling;
* upset stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
* dry mouth, sweating, hot flashes;
* changes in weight or appetite;
* stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, flu symptoms; or
* decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an
orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about fluoxetine?
You should not use fluoxetine if you also take pimozide or
thioridazine, or if you are being treated with methylene blue
injection.
Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past
14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue
injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before
you can take fluoxetine. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping
fluoxetine before you can take thioridazine or an MAOI.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an
antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report
any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Prozac Patient Information including How Should I Take
Depression Overview:What is Depression?
Understanding Depression Slideshow
RxList
Take the Depression Quiz
Depression:Tips for Exercise Diet and Stress Reduction
Depression Tips Slideshow Pictures
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fluoxetine?
Do not use fluoxetine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14
days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include
isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and
tranylcypromine. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO
inhibitor before you can take fluoxetine. You must wait 5 weeks after
stopping fluoxetine before you can take thioridazine or an MAOI.
You should not use fluoxetine if you are allergic to it, if you also
take pimozide or thioridazine, or if you are being treated with
methylene blue injection.
Tell your doctor about all other antidepressants you take, especially
Celexa, Cymbalta, Desyrel, Effexor, Lexapro,
Luvox, Oleptro, Paxil, Pexeva, Symbyax,
Viibryd, or Zoloft.
Some medicines can interact with fluoxetine and cause a serious
condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows about
all other medicines you use. Ask your doctor before making any changes
in how or when you take your medications.
To make sure fluoxetine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
* cirrhosis of the liver;
* kidney disease;
* diabetes;
* narrow-angle glaucoma;
* seizures or epilepsy;
* bipolar disorder (manic depression);
* a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts; or
* if you are being treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an
antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular
visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes
in your mood or symptoms.
Taking an SSRI antidepressant during pregnancy may cause serious lung
problems or other complications in the baby. However, you may have a
relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your
doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not start or stop taking
this medicine during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.
Fluoxetine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell
your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Fluoxetine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take fluoxetine?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose. Do not take this medicine in larger or
smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open a delayed-release capsule. Swallow
it whole.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a
special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
To treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, the usual dose of fluoxetine
is once daily while you are having your period, or 14 days before you
expect your period to start. Follow your doctor's instructions.
It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the
medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not
improve.
Do not stop using fluoxetine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant
withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using
fluoxetine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Prozac Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Depression Overview:What is Depression?
Understanding Depression Slideshow
RxList
Take the Depression Quiz
Depression:Tips for Exercise Diet and Stress Reduction
Depression Tips Slideshow Pictures
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
If you miss a dose of Prozac Weekly, take the missed dose as soon as
you remember and take the next dose 7 days later. However, if it is
almost time for the next regularly scheduled weekly dose, skip the
missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking fluoxetine?
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of fluoxetine.
Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
(NSAID) for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This
includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen
(Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin,
meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with fluoxetine may cause
you to bruise or bleed easily.
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
What other drugs will affect fluoxetine?
Taking fluoxetine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your
breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor
before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine,
prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety,
depression, or seizures.
Many drugs can interact with fluoxetine. Not all possible interactions
are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and
any you start or stop using, especially:
* any other antidepressant;
* St. John's Wort;
* tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);
* a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;
* medicine to treat anxiety, mood disorders, thought disorders, or
mental illness--amitriptyline, buspirone, desipramine,
lithium, nortriptyline, and many others;
* medicine to treat ADHD or narcolepsy--Adderall, Concerta,
Ritalin, Vyvanse, Zenzedi, and others;
* migraine headache medicine--rizatriptan, sumatriptan,
zolmitriptan, and others; or
* narcotic pain medicine--fentanyl, tramadol.
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with
fluoxetine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any
healthcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluoxetine.
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