PROZAC DRUG INFO
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. |
