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| Prescription Fluoxetine Drug Information |
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Fluoxetine Uses? |
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Fluoxetine is most commonly used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, panic disorder, and bulimia (binge eating and purging). Fluoxetine is also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), symptoms of which occur in the week or two before a woman's menstrual period and commonly include irritability, mood swings, and tension as well as the physical symptoms of bloating and breast tenderness. Fluoxetine may also be used for purposes other than those here. |
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Fluoxetine Directions? |
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Take fluoxetine exactly as directed by your doctor. Take each dose with water. Fluoxetine may be taken with or without food. Try to take fluoxetine at the same time each day. Take Prozac Weekly on the same day each week as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks before you to start feeling better. Your doctor may want to perform tests or schedule appointments to monitor your treatment with fluoxetine. |
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Fluoxetine Side Effects? |
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Stop taking fluoxetine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment if your experience any of the following: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); an irregular heartbeat or pulse; low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); chills or fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; a rash or hives. If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking fluoxetine and talk to your doctor: headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; difficulty concentrating; nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. |
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Fluoxetine Warnings? |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Fluoxetine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness while taking fluoxetine. |
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Fluoxetine Drug Interactions? |
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Do not take fluoxetine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take fluoxetine if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Before taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease; have kidney disease; have diabetes; suffer from seizures; or suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts. Do not take fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant, could become pregnant, or are breast-feeding during treatment. |
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Fluoxetine Missed Dose? |
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. |
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Fluoxetine Storage? |
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Store it at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. |
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Anything Else I Should Know About Fluoxetine? |
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Fluoxetine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether fluoxetine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Fluoxetine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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NOTE: The above 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 the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.
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