Drug Name: PROZAC
IMPORTANT PROZAC 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 PROZAC.
FLUOXETINE - ORAL (flew-OX-eh-teen)
COMMON PROZAC BRAND NAME(S):
Prozac, Sarafem
PROZAC USES:
Prozac (Fluoxetine) is used to treat depression, bulimia (an eating
disorder), obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), and severe symptoms
of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder-PMDD).
Prozac works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural
chemicals in the brain. Prozac has also been used to treat panic
attacks, obesity, and alcoholism.
HOW TO USE PROZAC:
Take Prozac by mouth usually once daily in the morning, with or
without food; or as directed by your doctor. The Prozac dosage is
based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Some medical
conditions may require a different Prozac dosing schedule (e.g.,
twice daily in the morning and at noon) as determined by your doctor.
Take Prozac exactly as prescribed. It is important to continue taking
Prozac even if you feel well. Also, do not stop taking Prozac without
consulting your doctor. It may take up to 4 weeks before the full
benefit of Prozac takes effect.
PROZAC SIDE EFFECTS:
Nausea, headache, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, drowsiness, sweating,
or upset stomach may occur from taking Prozac. If any of these effects
persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor
immediately if any of these serious side effects occur from taking
Prozac: 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 Prozac
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 from Prozac
not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PROZAC PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver problems,
kidney disease, seizures, heart problems, diabetes, any allergies
from taking Prozac. Prozac may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution
engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using
machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages while taking Prozac. Liquid
preparations of Prozac 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 Prozac. Caution is advised when using Prozac in the elderly because
they may be more sensitive to the effects of Prozac. Prozac should
be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks
and benefits of taking Prozac with your doctor. Prozac passes into
breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding
while using Prozac is not recommended. Consult your doctor before
breast-feeding if you are planning to use Prozac.
PROZAC DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Certain medications taken with Prozac 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 Prozac. Consult your
doctor or pharmacist for additional information. Prozac is not recommended
for use with: weight loss medicine (e.g., sibutramine, phentermine),
thioridazine, terfenadine, astemizole. Ask your doctor or pharmacist
for more details in relation to Prozac. 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. Prozac (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 Prozac (fluoxetine)
is started or discontinued. Consult your doctor. Do not start or
stop Prozac or any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
PROZAC OVERDOSE:
If Prozac overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control
center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of Prozac overdose
may include: irregular heartbeat, fainting, severe dizziness or
lightheadedness.
PROZAC NOTES:
Do not share Prozac with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests
may be performed to monitor your progress while or after taking
Prozac.
MISSED PROZAC DOSE:
If you miss a Prozac dose, use Prozac as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next Prozac dose, skip the missed Prozac
dose and resume your usual Prozac dosing schedule. Do not double
the Prozac dose to catch up.
PROZAC STORAGE:
Store Prozac at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15
to 30 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not store Prozac in
a moist bathroom. Keep Prozac and all medications out of the reach
of children. |
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