Description

Prozac (Fluoxetine)

What Prozac (Fluoxetine) capsules are and what they are used for?

Fluoxetine is an antidepressant belongs to family of anti-depressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Fluoxetine is recommended for the treatment of major depressive disorder, obsessive– compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

This medication may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may also help to restore your interest in daily living and activities. It may decrease your fear, anxiety and the number of panic attacks. It may also reduce your urge to perform repeated tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking) that affect your daily living. Fluoxetine may lessen premenstrual symptoms such as irritability, increased appetite, and depression. In bulimia patients it reduces binging and purging behaviors.

How it works?

Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and it works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic cleft by blocking the reuptake transporter protein located in the presynaptic terminal. Fluoxetine has practically no affinity for the other receptors such as α₁-, α₂-, and β-adrenergic; serotonergic; dopaminergic; histaminergic₁; muscarinic; and GABA receptors. But it has mild activity at the 5HT2A and 5HT2C receptors.

What you need to know before taking Prozac (Fluoxetine) capsules?

Do not take this medicine:

• If you are allergic to this medicine
• If you are taking or have taken any irreversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOIs) within last two weeks
• If you are on metoprolol for heart failure
• If you are suffering from epilepsy as it may increase risk of epileptic fit
• If you have a history of mania or hypomania (history of mental illness)
• If you are suffering with diabetes as fluoxetine alters blood sugar level
• If you are taking buprenorphine or naloxone as usage of these medicines with fluoxetine can develop serotonin syndrome

How to take Prozac (Fluoxetine) capsules?

Always take this medicine following the instructions of your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. Do not drink alcohol along with this medicine.

Swallow the whole capsule without opening, with a full glass of water. Prozac (Fluoxetine) capsules may be taken as single or separate doses during or between the meals, as prescribed by your doctor or suggested by your pharmacist.

Doses:

Depression: The recommended dose is one capsule (20mg) a day. Maximum dose must not exceed three capsules (60mg) a day.

Bulimia: The recommended dose is three capsules (60mg) a day.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): The recommended dose is one capsule (20mg) a day. Maximum dose must not exceed three capsules (60mg) a day.

If you are suffering from kidney or liver problems or you are elderly consult your doctor as your doctor may prescribe a different dose.

If you forget to take Prozac (Fluoxetine) capsules?

If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember it and take next dose at the right time. Do not take a double dose to make up for your missed dose.

What if you stop taking Prozac (Fluoxetine) capsules?

If you stop taking Fluoxetine abruptly without gradually decreasing the dose you might experience dizziness, feeling of being sick, pins and needles, insomnia, intense dreams, weakness or loss of strength, agitation, tremor, headache, anxiety, fits or heart problem. In most of the cases these symptoms are mild and short lived. Therefore, it is advisable to gradually reduce the dose of Fluoxetine at the end of treatment or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Use of Prozac (Fluoxetine) capsules during pregnancy, breast feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant, breast feeding or thinking to have a baby consult your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using this medicine.

You may experience a heavy vaginal bleeding shortly after birth if you take this medicine near end of your pregnancy especially if you have a history of bleeding disorders.

If you took this medicine during your pregnancy especially the last three months your baby might experience persistent pulmonary hypertension of new born (PPHN), symptoms are bluish baby with faster breathe that appear within 24 hours of birth.

Side effects

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• unusual or severe mental disturbance, mood changes (such as agitation, unusual high energy/excitement, thoughts of suicide etc.)
• easy bruising/bleeding
• muscle weakness/spasm
• tremor
• decreased interest in sex
• changes in sexual ability
• unusual weight loss

How to store Prozac (Fluoxetine) capsules?

Store at room temperature, below 25^oC in its original container closure system. Keep this medicine out of reach and sight of children.

Do not take this medicine after its expiry date. Expiry date is mentioned on carton/blister/label.

Reference Links:

1 ) https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/018936s108lbl.pdf

2 ) https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/25737#gref

3 ) https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5787.pdf