fluoxetine

GENERIC NAME: fluoxetine
BRAND NAME: Prozac
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: fluoxetine is in a new class of antidepressant medications that affects chemical messengers within the brain. These chemical messengers are called neurotransmitters. Many experts believe that an imbalance in these neurotransmitters is the cause of depression. fluoxetine is believed to work by inhibiting the release or affects the action of serotonin. fluoxetine does not have MAO activity.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Capsules (Pulvules) are available in 10mg and 20mg sizes. fluoxetine also is available in liquid oral suspension of 20mg/5ml by Dista labs.
STORAGE: Store in a dry place at 20-25 degrees C (68-77 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Depression and has been approved for obsessive compulsive disorders.
DOSING: fluoxetine is used in the treatment of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders. It usually is taken once or twice daily; however, it also has been taken once weekly. fluoxetine should be taken with food at doses specifically directed by your physician. Individual doses vary greatly between individuals. If discontinued you should gradually withdraw from this medication as directed by your doctor.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Do not take with MAO inhibitors or for at least two weeks after their discontinuation. MAO inhibitors medications should not be taken for at least five weeks after discontinuing fluoxetine (Prozac). The same is true for Haldol. Most medications affecting the brain have the potential to slow reflexes or impair judgment and caution is advised. This medication has not been studied extensively in the US and re-evaluation periodically by your physician is advised. This medication should not be taken with tryptophan. Caution when taking this medication with the heart drug lanoxin and the anticoagulant coumadin. Check with you pharmacist when taking with other medications.
NURSING MOTHERS: The manufacturer of fluoxetine recommends that women taking fluoxetine not nurse their infants.
SIDE EFFECTS: fluoxetine as with most antidepressants can cause nausea, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. fluoxetine has been implicated in serious skin rashes and vasculitis. Increased blood pressure can occur and should be monitored. Seizures have been reported. Life-threatening interactions can occur in combination with MAO inhibitors, such as nardil and parnate. MAO inhibitors and fluoxetine should not be taken together and a waiting period of 14 days between taking these two classes of medications is strongly advised.
"If antidepressants are discontinued abruptly, symptoms may occur such as dizziness, headache, nausea, changes in mood, or changes in the sense of smell, taste, etc. (Such symptoms even may occur when even a few doses of antidepressant are missed.) Therefore, it is recommended that the dose of antidepressant be reduced gradually when therapy is discontinued."
 

1. Fluoxetine
2. MedlinePlus Drug Information: Fluoxetine
3. MedlinePlus Drug Information: Fluoxetine (Systemic)
4. Prozac Online, Description, Chemistry, Ingredients - Fluoxetine ...
5. fluoxetine (Prozac) - drug class, medical uses, medication side ...
6. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoxetine
7. Fluoxetine Information from Drugs.com
8. Fluoxetine - Drugs & Vitamins - Drug Library - DrugDigest
9. Fluoxetine
10. PROZAC - Fluoxetine

 
• Do not stop taking fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks before you to start feeling better.




What is fluoxetine?
• 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.
• 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.
• 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?
• 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).
• Before taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor if you
· have liver disease;
· have kidney disease;
· have diabetes;
· suffer from seizures; or
· suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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?
• 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.
• Take each dose with water.
• 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.
• fluoxetine may be taken with or without food.
• Try to take fluoxetine at the same time each day.
• Take Prozac Weekly on the same day each week as directed by your doctor.
• Do not stop taking fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks before you to start feeling better.
• Your doctor may want to perform tests or schedule appointments to monitor your treatment with fluoxetine.
• Store fluoxetine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.