Fluoxetine influences unbalanced chemicals in the brain that may cause depression or mood disturbances, eating disorders, or compulsive or obsessive symptoms. Fluoxetine is used for depression treatment, obsessive-compulsive disorders, panic disorder, and bulimia (binge eating and purging). Prozac helps from PMMD whose symptoms happen in the week or two before a woman's menstrual period and usually include mood swings, irritability, and tension as well as the physical symptoms of bloating and breast tenderness.
Take Fluoxetine with food with dosage specifically directed by your doctor. Usually it takes a few weeks before your condition improves. Prozac usually has to be taken one or two times per day; nevertheless, it also can be taken one time per week. Try to take Fluoxetine at the same time each day. Take Prozac Weekly on the same day each week as directed by your doctor. Individual doses differ in a large measure between patients. If discontinued you should gradually stop taking this drug as directed by your doctor. Do not withdraw Fluoxetine without discussion with your doctor.
The missed dose should be taken immediately as you recall it. Nevertheless, you should skip the missed dose and continue your usual dosing schedule, whether it is almost time for the next dose. Do not exceed usual dose to compensate a missed one unless otherwise ordered by your doctor.
Store in a dry place at 20-25 degrees C (68-77 F).
Prozac Safety information
Be careful when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks. Fluoxetine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. In case you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these tasks. Use alcohol carefully. Alcohol may double the effect of drowsiness or dizziness while taking Fluoxetine. Do not take with MAO inhibitors or for at least 2 weeks after discontinuation. MAO inhibitors drugs should not be taken for at least 5 weeks after discontinuing Fluoxetine (Prozac). The same is valid for Haldol. Most drugs affecting the brain have the ability to slow reflexes or impair judgment and it is nessesary to be carefull. This medication has not been investigated extensively in the US and it is recommended to re-evaluate from time to time by your doctor. Do not take this medication with tryptophan. Be careful when taking this drug with the heart medicine lanoxin and the anticoagulant coumadin. Consult to you pharmacist when taking with other medications.
Fluoxetine as well as most antidepressants can cause nausea, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. Fluoxetine has been caused in serious skin rashes and vasculitis. Increased blood pressure can happen and should be monitored. Seizures have been reported. Life-threatening interactions can happen in combination with MAO inhibitors, such as nardil and parnate. MAO inhibitors and Fluoxetine should not be taken together and a waiting period of 2 weeks between taking these two classes of drugs is strongly recommended.
If antidepressants are stopped suddenly, symptoms may appear such as dizziness, headache, nausea, changes in mood, or changes in the sense of smell, taste, etc. (those symptoms even may occur when even a few doses of antidepressant are skipped.) Hence, it is recommended that the dose of antidepressant be reduced gradually when therapy is stopped.
Prozac Side effects
If you experience any of the following severe side effects, stop taking Prozac and call your doctor right away or seek medical help:
- an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
- low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
- high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
- rash, hives, chills or fever;
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- unusual bleeding or bruising;
If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking Fluoxetine and check with your doctor:
- increased sweating;
- headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
- difficulty concentratingŠ± weakness;
- nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
- insomnia;
Side effects other than those listed here may also happen. Contact your doctor about any side effect that seems irregular or bother you.
