Fluoxetine is a medicine used to treat many types of mental health disorders, including:
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
- Panic attacks
It’s also taken to relieve symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which may include irritability, mood swings, bloating, and breast tenderness. Additionally, this medicine is sometimes used with olanzapine (Zyprexa) to treat depression caused by bipolar disorder.
Fluoxetine is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by boosting the amount of a natural substance in the brain called serotonin.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved fluoxetine in 1987. It’s sold under the brand name Prozac.
uses
What is Prozac (Fluoxetine) used for?
- Bulimia
- Depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Depressive Psychosis
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Arteriosclerotic Dementia w/ Depressive Features
- Dementia w/ Depressive Features
warnings
What is the most important information I should know about Prozac (Fluoxetine)?
You should not use fluoxetine if you are allergic to it, if you also take pimozide or thioridazine.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of fluoxetine on the baby.
Ask your doctor about taking this medicine if you are pregnant. Taking fluoxetine during late pregnancy may cause serious medical 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.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
Do not use fluoxetine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you take fluoxetine. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before you can take thioridazine or an MAOI. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
- heart problems or stroke;
- high blood pressure;
- bleeding problems;
- seizures or epilepsy;
- bipolar disorder (manic depression);
- low sodium levels in your blood;
- diabetes;
- narrow-angle glaucoma;
- sexual problems;
- drug abuse or suicidal thoughts;
- electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); or
- liver or kidney disease.
User Reviews & Rating
Overall rating for Prozac (Fluoxetine)
Side Effects
What are the side effects of Prozac (Fluoxetine)?
Get emergency medical help if you have (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling). signs of an allergic reactionor a severe skin reaction
Call your doctor at once if you have:
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.
Common side effects may include:
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.
- blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
- fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
- low blood sodium--headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or
- severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.
- feeling like you might pass out;
- sleep problems, strange dreams;
- drowsiness;
- tremors or shaking, feeling anxious or nervous;
- weakness, yawning, tiredness;
- upset stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- rash, 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.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Can I take Prozac (Fluoxetine) if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of fluoxetine on the baby.
Ask your doctor about taking this medicine if you are pregnant. Taking fluoxetine during late pregnancy may cause serious medical 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.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
Interactions
What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Prozac (Fluoxetine)?
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Dosage Guidelines & Tips
How to take Prozac (Fluoxetine)?
Use Prozac (Fluoxetine) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Tell your doctor if you have any changes in sexual function, such as loss of interest in sex, difficulty having an orgasm, or (in men) problems with erections or ejaculation. Some sexual problems can be treated.
Measure with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). liquid medicine
Do not stop using fluoxetine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.
You may need frequent vision exams.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. take two doses at one time. Do not
Overdose Signs
What happens if I overdose on Prozac (Fluoxetine)?
Overdose symptoms may include seizures, changes in your mental state, fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out), severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, agitation, hallucinations, fever, muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, diarrhea.
What to Expect
Fluoxetine won’t change your personality, but it should help you feel more like yourself.
You will likely see the full benefits of fluoxetine after about four to six weeks of treatment.
It takes about one week for fluoxetine levels to build up in your body and then a few weeks after that for your body to adapt.
Don’t stop using this drug without talking to your doctor, even if it doesn’t seem to help at first.
Additional Dosage Information
Your dosage will be based on your medical condition, your age, the formulation you use, and other factors.
Your doctor may start you on a lower dose of fluoxetine and gradually increase it.
Secondary Uses
Fluoxetine is sometimes used to treat other conditions, such as:
- Alcoholism
- Borderline personality disorder
- Sleep disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Headaches
- Obesity
- Phobias
- Sexual problems
- Sleep disorders
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