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Generic Name: fluoxetine (flew OX e teen)
Brand Names:
Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem |
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What is the most important information I should know about
fluoxetine? |
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Do not stop taking fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor. It may
take several weeks before you to start feeling better. |
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Fluoxetine is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors. Fluoxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced
and cause depression or mood disturbances, eating disorders, or obsessive or
compulsive symptoms. |
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Fluoxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders,
panic disorder, and bulimia (binge eating and purging). Fluoxetine is also used
to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), symptoms of which occur in the
week or two before a woman's menstrual period and commonly include irritability,
mood swings, and tension as well as the physical symptoms of bloating and breast
tenderness. |
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Fluoxetine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
fluoxetine? |
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Do not take fluoxetine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have
occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take
fluoxetine if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal
irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must
wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before taking thioridazine
(Mellaril). |
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Before taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor if you |
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suffer from seizures; or |
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suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts. |
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You may not be able to take fluoxetine, or you may need a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed
above. |
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Fluoxetine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not
known whether fluoxetine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take
fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could
become pregnant during treatment. |
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Fluoxetine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not
take fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby. |
How should I take fluoxetine? |
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Take fluoxetine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand
these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to
you. |
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Take each dose with water. |
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To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the oral solution with a
dose-measuring cup or spoon, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have
a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. |
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Fluoxetine may be taken with or without food. |
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Try to take fluoxetine at the same time each day. |
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Take Prozac Weekly on the same day each week as directed by your
doctor. |
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Do not stop taking fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor. It may
take several weeks before you to start feeling better. |
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It is important to take fluoxetine regularly to get the most
benefit. |
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Your doctor may want to perform tests or schedule appointments to monitor
your treatment with fluoxetine. |
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Store fluoxetine at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose? |
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time
for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next
one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless
otherwise directed by your doctor. |
What happens if I overdose? |
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected. |
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Symptoms of a fluoxetine overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor,
agitation, seizures, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and enlarged
pupils. |
What should I avoid while taking fluoxetine? |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Fluoxetine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience
dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. |
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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness while
taking fluoxetine. |
What are the possible side effects of
fluoxetine? |
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
fluoxetine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical
treatment: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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an irregular heartbeat or pulse; |
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low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); |
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high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred
vision); |
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unusual bleeding or bruising; |
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If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue
taking fluoxetine and talk to your doctor: |
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headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; |
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difficulty concentrating; |
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nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or
weight; |
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sleepiness or insomnia; or |
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decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an
orgasm. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect fluoxetine? |
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Do not take fluoxetine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have
occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take
fluoxetine if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal
irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must
wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before taking thioridazine
(Mellaril). |
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Before taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the
following medicines: |
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a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax),
chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), temazepam (Restoril),
triazolam (Halcion), and others; |
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a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine
(Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and
others; |
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a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin),
mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine),
and others; |
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lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others) or haloperidol
(Haldol); |
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almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex),
naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan
(Zomig); |
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carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin); |
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warfarin (Coumadin); or |
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You may not be able to take fluoxetine, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the
medicines listed above. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with fluoxetine. Talk
to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal
products. |
Where can I get more information? |
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Your pharmacist has additional information about fluoxetine written for
health professionals that you may
read. | |
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