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- $Unique_ID{BRK03160}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{fluoxetine}
- $Subject{Prozac Dista Cyclic antidepressant fluoxetine mental depression
- concentration chemicals nerve transmission brain}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- fluoxetine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Prozac (Dista)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Cyclic antidepressant
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- fluoxetine
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Capsules (20 mg)
- Liquid (20 mg per 5 ml spoonful)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Do not store in
- the bathroom. Heat or moisture can cause this medicine to break down.
-
- USES
-
- Fluoxetine is used to treat the symptoms of mental depression. It
- increases the concentration of certain chemicals necessary for nerve
- transmission in the brain.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- This medication should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. In
- order to avoid stomach irritation, you can take fluoxetine with food or with a
- full glass of water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- The effects of therapy with this medication may not become apparent for
- one to three weeks.
- If you miss a dose of this medicine, it is not necessary to make up the
- missed dose. Skip that dose and continue at the next scheduled time. You
- should never take a double dose to make up for one you missed.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Agitation, change in vision, changes in taste, constipation, decreased
- appetite, decreased mental concentration, decreased sex drive, diarrhea,
- dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fast heartbeat, flushing, frequent
- urination, headache, increased sweating, nausea, stomach cramps, stuffy nose,
- vomiting, or weight gain or loss.
- Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard
- candy.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- To avoid dizziness when you stand, contract and relax the muscles of your
- legs for a few moments before rising.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- anxiety, chills or fever, convulsions (seizures), enlarged lymph glands
- (swelling under jaw or in armpits or groin area), difficulty in breathing,
- joint or muscle pain, skin rash or hives, or swelling of the feet or lower
- legs.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Fluoxetine interacts with a number of other types of drugs:
- 1. Extreme drowsiness can occur when this medicine is taken with central
- nervous system depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates,
- benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications,
- phenothiazine tranquilizers, and sleeping medications) or with other
- antidepressants.
- 2. Fluoxetine may increase the effects of anticoagulants (blood thinners,
- such as warfarin) and certain heart medications (such as digitoxin).
- 3. Serious side effects may occur if a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor
- (such as furazolidone, isocarboxazid, pargyline, phenelzine, procarbazine, or
- tranylcypromine) is taken with fluoxetine. At least 14 days should separate
- the use of fluoxetine and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
- 4. Fluoxetine can increase agitation, restlessness, and stomach
- irritation when taken along with tryptophan.
- Before starting to take fluoxetine, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any
- medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor immediately if you develop a skin rash or hives while
- taking this medication, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to
- fluoxetine.
- * Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any substance, such as foods,
- sulfites or other preservatives, or dyes.
- * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
- you have a history of alcoholism or if you have ever had a heart attack,
- asthma, circulatory disease, difficulty in urinating, electroshock therapy,
- enlarged prostate gland, epilepsy, glaucoma, high blood pressure, intestinal
- problems, liver or kidney disease, mental illness, stomach problems, or
- thyroid disease.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
- potentially dangerous equipment.
- * Do not stop taking this drug suddenly. Abruptly stopping it can cause
- nausea, headache, stomach upset, or a worsening of your condition. Your
- doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually.
- * The elderly may be at increased risk for side effects. Use this drug
- cautiously, and report any mental status changes to your doctor immediately.
- * The effects of this medication may persist for as long as five weeks
- after you stop taking it, so continue to observe all precautions during that
- period.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although birth
- defects have not been documented in animal studies, it is not known if
- fluoxetine is safe during human pregnancy. It is also not known if fluoxetine
- passes into breast milk, so be sure to tell your doctor if you are
- breast-feeding an infant.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-