fluoxetine Health Article

Generic name(s):

fluoxetine

Brand name(s):

Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Rapiflux, Sarafem

What is the most important information I should know about fluoxetine?

Do not take fluoxetine together with pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Fluoxetine is the only antidepressant that is FDA-approved for use in children with depression. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking fluoxetine, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.

What is fluoxetine?

Fluoxetine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluoxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Fluoxetine is used to treat major depressive disorder, bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Fluoxetine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fluoxetine?

Do not use fluoxetine if you are using any of the following drugs:

• pimozide (Orap);

• thioridazine (Mellaril); or

• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam).

Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these medicines are taken with fluoxetine. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take fluoxetine. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before you can take thioridazine (Mellaril) or an MAOI.

Before taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• cirrhosis of the liver;
• kidney disease;

• diabetes;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• bipolar disorder (manic depression); or

• a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use fluoxetine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking fluoxetine, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. Fluoxetine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give fluoxetine to anyone younger than 18 years old without a doctor's advice. Fluoxetine is the only antidepressant that is FDA-approved for use in children with depression.