Fluoxetine is an antidepressant medication that work in the brain. It is authorized for the treatment of major depressive condition (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attack, bulimia nervosa, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Symptoms of depression consist of:
- Depressed state of mind – feeling unfortunate, empty, or tearful
- Feeling useless, guilty, helpless, and powerless
- Loss of interest or enjoyment in your typical activities
- Sleep and eat basically than typical (for the majority of people it is less).
- Low energy, trouble focusing, or ideas of death (suicidal thinking).
- Psychomotor agitation (‘ anxious energy’).
- Psychomotor retardation (sensation like you are moving and thinking in slow motion).
- Suicidal thoughts or habits.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) happens when an individual experiences the following symptoms at the same time:
- Obsessions (undesirable, persistent, and troubling ideas).
- Compulsions (repeated, ritualized habits that the individual feels driven to perform in order to reduce the anxiety produced by the fixations).
- Panic attack takes place when an individual experiences unforeseen and repeated episodes of intense fear. These episodes have physical symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and nausea. Fear of future episodes is likewise part of panic disorder.
Bulimia is a condition where an individual binges on food, then utilizes various methods to purge (e.g., usage of laxatives, vomiting) in order to avoid weight gain.
Premenstrual dysphoric condition (PMDD) is a condition where a woman experiences anxiety, tension, and irritability for a couple of days prior to menstruation that end when menstruation starts. These symptoms are more severe than those of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Fluoxetine may likewise be handy when recommended “off-label” for body dysmorphic condition, dysthymia, or posttraumatic tension disorder. “Off-label” means that it hasn’t been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for this condition. Your mental health service provider should validate his/her thinking in advising an “off-label” treatment. They need to be clear about the limits of the research study around that medication and if there are other options.
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Brand Names:
Prozac®: Capsules: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg
Prozac Weekly®: Capsules (delayed-release): 90 mg
Sarafem®: Tablets: 10 mg, 20 mg
Fluoxetine
- Capsules: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg
- Capsules (delayed release): 90 mg
- Liquid: 20 mg/5 mL
- Tablets: 10 mg, 20 mg, 60 mg
Generic name: fluoxetine (floo OKS e teen)
Medication class: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant
How Long Does It Take For Fluoxetine (Prozac) To Work?
Sleep, energy, or hunger may reveal some enhancement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be a crucial early signal that the medication is working. Depressed state of mind and absence of interest in activities might require as much as 6-8 weeks to totally improve.
What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Fluoxetine?
Do not stop taking fluoxetine, even when you feel better. Only your healthcare provider can determine the length of treatment that is right for you.
Missing out on doses of fluoxetine may increase your threat for relapse in your symptoms.
Stopping fluoxetine quickly might result in several of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritation, nausea, dizziness, throwing up, headaches, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling feeling on the skin).
Depression is likewise a part of bipolar disease. Individuals with bipolar affective disorder who take antidepressants might be at threat for “changing” from anxiety into mania. Symptoms of mania include “high” or irritable mood, very high self-confidence, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing ideas, being easily sidetracked, frequently associated with activities with a big risk for bad effects (for example, extreme purchasing sprees).
Medical attention ought to be sought if serotonin syndrome is suspected. Please refer to major negative effects for signs/symptoms.
Are There Specific Concerns About Fluoxetine And Pregnancy?
If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your doctor to best handle your medications. Individuals coping with MDD who wish to end up being pregnant face crucial decisions. Neglected MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caretakers. For women who take antidepressant medications during weeks 13 through the end of their pregnancy (second and 3rd trimesters), there is a risk that the infant can be born prior to it is totally developed (prior to 37 weeks).
For mothers who have actually taken SSRIs throughout their pregnancy, there appears to be less than a 1% possibility of babies establishing relentless lung high blood pressure. This is a potentially deadly condition that is related to use of the antidepressant in the second half of pregnancy. However, women who ceased antidepressant therapy were five times most likely to have an anxiety relapse than those who continued their antidepressant. If you are pregnant, please go over the dangers and advantages of antidepressant usage with your healthcare provider.
Care is recommended with breastfeeding because fluoxetine does enter breast milk.
What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Fluoxetine?
- Symptoms of your condition that trouble you one of the most.
- If you have ideas of suicide or damaging yourself.
- Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or triggered any adverse results.
- If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your service provider. Some negative effects may pass with time, however others may require modifications in the medication.
- Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have, consisting of a history of bipolar disorder.
- All other medications you are currently taking (including nonprescription products, herbal and dietary supplements) and any medication allergic reactions you have.
- Other non-medication treatment you are getting, such as talk treatment or drug abuse treatment. Your service provider can describe how these different treatments work with the medication.
- If you are pregnant, plan to end up being pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
- If you consume alcohol or usage drugs.
How Should I Take Fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine is typically taken 1 time per day with or without food.
Normally patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dosage is increased slowly over a number of weeks.
The dosage generally varies from 20 mg to 80 mg when taken once daily or 90 mg taken when weekly. Only your doctor can identify the correct dosage for you.
If you are taking fluoxetine for PMDD, it can be taken once daily (daily) or intermittently (generally beginning 14 days prior to menstruation through the first full day of menses of each cycle). Discuss this with your prescriber.
The liquid should be measured with a dosing spoon or oral syringe which you can obtain from your drug store.
The postponed release form need to be swallowed entire. It must not be chewed, crushed, or broken.
Consider utilizing a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cellular phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. You may also ask a family member or pal to advise you or sign in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose of Prozac that you take daily, take it as quickly as you keep in mind, unless it is more detailed to the time of your next dosage. If you take fluoxetine as soon as weekly, take it as quickly as possible, then go back to your regular schedule the next week. Discuss this with your doctor. Do not double your next dosage or take more than what is prescribed.
What Should I Avoid While Taking Fluoxetine?
Quit drinking alcohol or utilizing illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications. They might decrease the benefits (e.g., aggravate your condition) and increase adverse results (e.g., sedation) of the medication.
What Happens If I Overdose With Fluoxetine?
If an overdose happens, call your medical professional or 911. You may need urgent healthcare. You might likewise contact the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
A particular treatment to reverse the results of fluoxetine does not exist.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Fluoxetine?
Common Side Effects
Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, feeling worried, uneasy, tired, sleepy or having problem sleeping (insomnia). These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication.
Sexual negative effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay typically do not lessen gradually.
Rare/Serious Side Effects
Low sodium blood levels (symptoms of low sodium levels might consist of headache, weakness, difficulty focusing and remembering), teeth grinding, angle closure glaucoma (symptoms of angle closure glaucoma might include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or soreness in or around eye), Serotonin syndrome (symptoms may consist of shivering, diarrhea, confusion, serious muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death), seizure, QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia including Torsades de Pointes (modifications in the electrical activity of your heart; symptoms might consist of quickly, sluggish or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and dizziness or fainting).
SSRI antidepressants including fluoxetine may increase the threat of bleeding events. Combined usage of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen), warfarin, and other anti-coagulants may increase this threat. This might consist of symptoms such as gums that bleed more quickly, nose bleed, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Some cases have been life threatening.
Any Risks Of Taking Fluoxetine For Long Periods Of Time?
To this day, there are no recognized issues associated with long term use of fluoxetine. It is a safe and efficient medication when utilized as directed.
What Other Medications May Interact With Fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine should not be taken with or within 6 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These consist of phenelzine (Nardil ®), tranylcypromine (Parnate ®), isocarboxazid (Marplan ®), rasagiline (Azilect ®), and selegiline (Emsam ®).
Although uncommon, there is an increased threat of serotonin syndrome when fluoxetine is utilized with other medications that increase serotonin, such as other antidepressants, migraine medications called “triptans” (e.g., Imitrex ®), some pain medications (e.g., tramadol (Ultram ®), amphetamines, and the antibiotic linezolid (Zyvox ®).
Fluoxetine might increase the levels and results of:
- Certain anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin (Dilantin ®), carbamazepine (Tegretol ®, Equetro ®). Particular antipsychotics, such as haloperidol (Haldol ®), aripiprazole (Abilify ®)
- Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax ®), diazepam (Valium ®)
- Atomoxetine (Straterra ®)
- Warfarin (Coumadin ®)
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil ®), desipramine (Norpramin ®)
- Beta blockers, such as metoprolol (Toprol XL ®, Lopressor ®) and propranolol (Inderal ®)
- Fluoxetine may decrease the effects of tamoxifen (Nolvadex ®) and codeine.
Fluoxetine may increase the effects of other medications that can cause bleeding (e.g., ibuprofen (Advil ®, Motrin ®), warfarin (Coumadin ®), and aspirin).
FDA Alerts
- Self-destructive Thoughts Or Actions In Children And Adults.
Anxiety and certain other psychiatric conditions are themselves connected with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients with significant depressive disorder (MDD), both adult and pediatric, may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and habits (suicidality) or uncommon changes in behavior, whether they are taking antidepressant medications. This threat might continue up until considerable remission takes place.
In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo. Short-term research studies did not show a boost in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24. Adults age 65 and older taking antidepressants have actually a decreased risk of suicidality. Patients, their families, and caretakers should look out to the introduction of anxiety, restlessness, irritation, aggressiveness and sleeping disorders. If these symptoms emerge, they ought to be reported to the client’s prescriber or healthcare professional. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any sign must watch for and notify their doctor for aggravating symptoms, suicidality and uncommon changes in habits, particularly throughout the first few months of treatment.
