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IMPORTANT
NOTE: The following 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 use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective
for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
using this drug.
FLUOXETINE - ORAL (flew-OX-eh-teen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S):
Prozac, Sarafem
USES: Fluoxetine
is used to treat depression, bulimia (an eating disorder),
obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), and severe symptoms
of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder-PMDD).
This medication works by helping to restore the balance
of certain natural chemicals in the brain.
OTHER USES: This
medication has also been used to treat panic attacks,
obesity, and alcoholism.
HOW TO USE: Take
this medication by mouth usually once daily in the
morning, with or without food; or as directed by your
doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition
and response to therapy. Some medical conditions may
require a different dosing schedule (e.g., twice daily
in the morning and at noon) as determined by your
doctor. Take this medication exactly as prescribed.
It is important to continue taking this medication
even if you feel well. Also, do not stop taking this
medication without consulting your doctor. It may
take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this
drug takes effect.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea,
headache, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, drowsiness,
sweating, or upset stomach may occur. If any of these
effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious
side effects occur: loss of appetite, unusual weight
loss, unusual or severe mental/mood changes, uncontrolled
movements (tremor), decreased interest in sex, flu-like
symptoms (e.g., chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness).
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely
but serious side effects occur: vision changes, trouble
swallowing, swelling or white spots on the mouth and/or
tongue, changes in sexual ability, painful and/or
prolonged erection. Tell your doctor immediately if
any of these highly unlikely but very serious side
effects occur: fainting, irregular/fast heartbeat.
An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but
seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms
of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling,
dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other
effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell
your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver
problems, kidney disease, seizures, heart problems,
diabetes, any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy
or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring
alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit
alcoholic beverages. Liquid preparations of this product
may contain sugar and/or small amounts of alcohol.
Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence,
or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about
the safe use of this product. Caution is advised when
using this product in the elderly because they may
be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. This
medication should be used only when clearly needed
during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with
your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk. Because
of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding
while using this drug is not recommended. Consult
your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Certain medications taken with this product could
result in serious, even fatal, drug interactions.
Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid,
linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine,
selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks, and avoid
taking thioridazine within 5 weeks, before or after
treatment with this medication. Consult your doctor
or pharmacist for additional information. This drug
is not recommended for use with: weight loss medicine
(e.g., sibutramine, phentermine), thioridazine, terfenadine,
astemizole. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more
details. Tell your doctor of all prescription and
nonprescription medication you may use, especially:
other SSRI antidepressants (e.g., citalopram, sertraline),
nefazodone, trazodone, venlafaxine, "triptan"
migraine drugs (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan),
tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline,
nortriptyline), flecainide, propafenone, haloperidol,
clozapine, lithium, tryptophan, "blood thinners"
(e.g., warfarin), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine,
phenytoin/hydantoins), herbal/natural products (e.g.,
St John's wort, ayahuasca). Tell your doctor if you
take any drugs that cause drowsiness such as: medicine
for sleep, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g.,
alprazolam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine),
muscle relaxants, psychiatric medicine (e.g., phenothiazines
such as chlorpromazine), certain antihistamines (e.g.,
diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines
(e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain
drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist
about the safe use of these products. Report other
drugs which affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation),
such as: dofetilide, pimozide, sotalol, quinidine,
procainamide, sparfloxacin, "water pills"
(diuretics such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide).
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Fluoxetine
may affect the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood.
If you take any anti-diabetes medication (e.g., glipizide,
glyburide, metformin), your dosage of these drugs
may need to be adjusted when fluoxetine is started
or discontinued. Consult your doctor. Do not start
or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist
approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose
is suspected, contact your local poison control center
or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose
may include: irregular heartbeat, fainting, severe
dizziness or lightheadedness.
NOTES: Do not share
this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical
tests may be performed to monitor your progress.
MISSED DOSE: If you
miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it
is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed
dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not
double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at
room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and
30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
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