Fluoxetine

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for depression, eating disorders, premenstrual mood disorders, and impulse control disorder.
• Other uses include treatment of alcoholism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, anxiety disorders, and some sleep disorders.

How does it work?

• Fluoxetine increases activity of a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Sleep and appetite may improve quickly. Other symptoms may take up to 4-6 weeks to improve.

How is it best taken?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Take in the morning or follow healthcare provider's directions.
• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• If you are 65 or older, you may have anxiety, be unable to sleep, or be not hungry.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Separate monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) from this medicine by 6 weeks.
• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are taking any herbal products.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Feeling tired. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Inability to sleep. Take in the morning.
• Anxiety.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without this side effect.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Very nervous and excitable.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse after 4-6 weeks of treatment.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store capsules/tablet at room temperature.
• Store liquid (solution) in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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