Fluoxetine capsules or tablets
What do fluoxetine capsules or tablets do?
FLUOXETINE (Prozac(R)) is an antidepressant. It helps improve a person's mood. Fluoxetine can also help people with obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress. Fluoxetine is marketed as Sarafem(R) for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe type of premenstrual syndrome. Generics are available for fluoxetine.
What should my health care professional know before I take fluoxetine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• diabetes
• heart disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• receiving electroconvulsive therapy
• seizures (convulsions)
• suicidal thoughts
• an unusual or allergic reaction to fluoxetine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take fluoxetine tablets or capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the pills with a drink of water. You can take fluoxetine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
If you are taking Prozac(R) Weekly(TM): Take your dose on the same day of the week each week. These capsules have a special coating. Swallow the capsules whole, do not cut, crush, or chew them.
What if I miss a dose?
Regular Prozac(R) capsules or tablets: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.
Prozac(R) Weekly(TM): Try not to miss your scheduled weekly dose. You may want to mark a calendar to remind you for that day of the week. If you miss a dose, and it is still the day you normally take your medicine each week, then take it as soon as you can. If it is another day, then take the dose as soon as you remember and then adjust your weekly doses to the new day from that day forward. Do not take double or extra doses. There should be one week between each dose.
What other medicines can interact with fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine has the potential to interact with a variety of medications, check with your healthcare professional. The following list contains some of these interactions.
Do not take fluoxetine with any of the following medications:
• astemizole (Hismanal(R))
• cisapride (Propulsid(R))
• pimozide (Orap(R))
• terfenadine (Seldane(R))
• thiordiazine (Mellaril(R))
• medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil(R)), tranylcypromine (Parnate(R)), isocarboxazid (Marplan(R)), selegiline (Eldepryl(R))
Fluoxetine may also interact with the following medications:
• alcohol
• buspirone
• carbamazepine
• certain medicines for migraine headache
• cimetidine
• cyproheptadine
• dextromethorphan
• dofetilide
• furazolidone
• linezolid
• lithium
• metoprolol
• molindone
• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or alprazolam
• medicines for mental depression
• medicines for mental problems or psychotic disturbances
• phenytoin
• propafenone
• St. John's wort
• warfarin