ONLINE PHARMACY find all drugs you want

Generic Name: fluoxetine (floo OX e teen)
Brand Names: Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem

What is fluoxetine?

Fluoxetine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluoxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause 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 may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about fluoxetine?

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Fluoxetine is the only antidepressant that is FDA-approved for use in children with depression. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fluoxetine?

• pimozide (Orap);

• thioridazine (Mellaril); or

• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam).

Before taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• cirrhosis of the liver;
• kidney disease;

• diabetes;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• bipolar disorder (manic depression); or

• a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use fluoxetine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

How should I take fluoxetine?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.

Measure the liquid form of fluoxetine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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 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?

What should I avoid while taking fluoxetine?

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, other medication for depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by fluoxetine.

Fluoxetine side effects

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms 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 any of these serious side effects:

• seizure (convulsions);

• tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching;

• a red, blistering, peeling skin rash;

• problems with balance or coordination; or

• agitation, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• drowsiness, dizziness, weakness;

• runny nose, sore throat, headache, flu symptoms;

• nausea, diarrhea, changes in appetite;

• weight changes;

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or

• dry mouth, increased sweating.

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?

Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with fluoxetine may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Before taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

• alprazolam (Xanax);

• clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo);

• digitoxin (Crystodigin);

• flecainide (Tambocor);

• haloperidol (Haldol);

• seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol);

• tryptophan (also called L-tryptophan);

• vinblastine (Velban);

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or

• any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or sertraline (Zoloft).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use fluoxetine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect fluoxetine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about fluoxetine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Fluoxetine is available with a prescription generically and under the brand names Prozac and Sarafem. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.