Fluoxetine Overview

(floo OKS e teen)

Prozac®; Prozac® Weekly™; Sarafem®; Selfemra®

Apo-Fluoxetine®; CO Fluoxetine; Dom-Fluoxetine; Fluoxetine; FXT 40; Gen-Fluoxetine; Mylan-Fluoxetine; Novo-Fluoxetine; Nu-Fluoxetine; PHL-Fluoxetine; PMS-Fluoxetine; PRO-Fluoxetine; Prozac®; ratio-Fluoxetine; Riva-Fluoxetine; Sandoz-Fluoxetine; ZYM-Fluoxetine

Symbyax

Antidepressant, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

• The desire to harm yourself is a serious symptom of depression. It may last until your depression is completely treated. If you are planning on harming yourself, call the emergency department right away.

• There is a risk of serotonin syndrome when using a migraine medicine with this medicine. The syndrome is caused by too much serotonin in the body. Signs include: agitation, changes in blood pressure, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, hallucinations, nausea and vomiting, significant change in balance, and significant change in thinking clearly and logically. Talk with healthcare provider.

• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.

• Please read the medication guide.

• If you have an allergy to fluoxetine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.

• If you are breast-feeding.

• Fluoxetine increases chemicals in the brain.

• In depression, sleep and appetite may improve quickly. Other depressive symptoms may take up to 4-6 weeks to improve.

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

• Take this medicine in the morning.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Take long-acting products once a week.

• Long-acting products: Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

• A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect liquid (solution) from light.

• Protect capsules and tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 12:42:45.0

Modified: 2010-03-19 14:40:18.0

Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.