Generic Name: fluoxetine (floo OX e teen)
Brand Names: Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem
Prozac : Important Information:
- You may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are under 18 years old. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking fluoxetine you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to you watching for changes in your own symptoms, your family or other caregivers should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
- Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
- Do not take fluoxetine together with thioridazine (Mellaril), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take fluoxetine. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before you can take thioridazine (Mellaril).
What is Prozac
- Prozac is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). prozac affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
- Prozac is used to treat major depressive disorder, bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
- Prozac may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What to Discuss before Using Prozac
- You may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are under 18 years old. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking prozac you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to you watching for changes in your own symptoms, your family or other caregivers should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
- Do not use prozac if you are using any of the following drugs:
- pimozide (Orap);
- thioridazine (Mellaril); or
- an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam).
- Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these medicines are taken with prozac. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take prozac. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping prozac before you can take thioridazine (Mellaril).
- Before taking prozac, tell your doctor if you have:
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- kidney disease;
- diabetes;
- seizures or epilepsy;
- bipolar disorder (manic depression); or
- a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
- If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use prozac, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
- FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
- Prozac can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Prozac Dosage Method
- Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.
- Do not break, chew, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
- Shake the liquid form of prozac well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
- Try to take the medicine at the same time each day.
- It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better. Do not stop using prozac without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.
- To treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, the usual dose of prozac is once daily while you are having your period. You may also begin taking the medication 14 days before the anticipated start of your period. Follow your doctor's directions carefully.
- Store prozac at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Miss a dose: Problems?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
- If you miss a dose of Prozac Weekly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember and take the next dose 7 days later. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled weekly dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Prozac Overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication. Symptoms of a prozac overdose may include nausea, vomiting, fever, sleepiness, rapid or uneven heartbeat, confusion, fainting, seizures, or coma.
Avoid During Treatment
- Do not take prozac together with thioridazine (Mellaril), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).
- Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of prozac.
- Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, other pain medication, muscle relaxants). They can add to sleepiness caused by prozac.
- Prozac can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Prozac Side Effects
- Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
- Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- seizure (convulsions);
- tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching;
- a red, blistering, peeling skin rash;
- unusual thoughts or behavior;
- problems with balance or coordination; or
- agitation, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat.
- Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
- feeling anxious, nervous, restless, or unable to sit still;
- drowsiness, dizziness, weakness;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- runny nose, sore throat, headache, flu symptoms;
- nausea, diarrhea, changes in appetite;
- weight changes;
- decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or
- dry mouth, increased sweating.
- Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs to avoid while undergoing treatment
- Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with prozac may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
- Before taking prozac, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
- alprazolam (Xanax);
- clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo);
- digitoxin (Crystodigin);
- flecainide (Tambocor);
- haloperidol (Haldol);
- seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol);
- tryptophan (also called L-tryptophan);
- vinblastine (Velban);
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
- almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or
- any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or sertraline (Zoloft).
- If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use prozac, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
- There may be other drugs not listed that can affect prozac. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Prozac is a drug used in the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and many other disorders.
Prozac is a psychotropic drug for oral administration. Prozac is also approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder and Obsessive-compulsive disorder in pediatric patients. Prozac is available by prescription only.
Store Prozac in a dry place. Prozac usually is taken once or twice a day. To be effective, it should be taken regularly. Prozac is a psychotropic drug for oral administration.
