Generic Name: fluoxetine (flew OX
e teen)
Typical Brand Names: Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem
What Is It Used For?
Prozac is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders,
panic disorder, and bulimia (binge eating and purging). Fluoxetine
is also used to treat premenstrual (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. It is also
used for many other purposes other than those listed in medication
guides.
How Is It Used?
Prozac usually is taken once or twice a day. To be effective,
it should be taken regularly. Make a habit of taking it at the
same time you do some other daily activity. It may be 4 weeks
before you feel any relief from your depression, but the drug's
effects should last about 9 months after a 3-month treatment regimen.
For obsessive-compulsive disorder, the full effect may take 5
weeks to appear. If you have any further questions about this,
check with your health care professional.
Are There Possible Side Effects?
Serious side effects from prozac may include an allergic reaction,
unusual bleeding, high blood pressure, chills or fever, low blood
pressure, dizziness, high blood pressure, rash or hives.
Less serious side effects like: headache, nausea, difficulty
concentrating, insomnia, sleeplessness, decreased sex drive, impotence.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or
that is especially bothersome.
Is It Safe?
Its pretty much safe except for the ones given below, who are
advised to let their doctors know that they have: liver or kidney
disease, have diabetes, suffer from seizures, or suffer from suicidal
thoughts. Check with your doctor before taking prozac if you suffer
from any of the diseases listed above. Prozac is in the FDA pregnancy
category C. Babies exposed to fluoxetine during the third trimester
of pregnancy may develop medical complications. Prozac passes
into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. It is advised
not to take this medication without first talking to your doctor
if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment
or if you are breast-feeding a baby.
What About Interactions With Other Drugs?
Do not take fluoxetine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine, or tranylcypromine
during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions
have occurred when these medicines have been used together. Dangerous,
even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are
taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine
before taking thioridazine. Talk to your doctor before taking
any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines with Prozac.
What If I Miss A Dose?
If you have missed any dose, use it as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose (within
2 hours.), skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed.
Do not use a double dose of this medication. And try to keep your
doses at least 4 hours apart.
How Should It Be Stored?
Prozac should be kept at room temperature (between 15º-30º
C (59º-86º F)) away from moisture and heat. Keep out
of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot
open. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Anything Else I Should Know?
If you are taking prozac you might need to be supervised for worsening
symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy
or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased risk
of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18
years of age or younger and are taking fluoxetine. In patients
younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start
of therapy or when doses are changed. Contact your healthcare
provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms
during treatment with fluoxetine. Do not stop taking fluoxetine.
NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist,
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or
effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
taking the product.
