Brand name:Prozac

Generic name:

Fluoxetine hydrochloride

What is it used for?

In adults fluoxetine is used to treat:

• depressive illness
• a psychiatric disorder in which tasks are excessively repeated (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
• bulimia nervosa.

In children and adolescents aged eight years and over fluoxetine is used to treat:

• moderate to severe major depressive episodes, if the depression is unresponsive to psychological therapy after four to six sessions. (Fluoxetine should only be prescribed by a specialist and should be used in combination with psychological therapy.)

HOW TO USE:

Take this medication by mouth usually once a day in the morning, with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. If your doctor tells you to take this medication twice a day, take a dose in the morning and at noon. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time(s) each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Do not take more or less medication than prescribed. The maximum recommended dose for adults treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder is 80 mg per day. The maximum recommended dose for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated for depression is 20 mg per day. It may take 4 weeks or longer before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Headache.
• Dry mouth.
• Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia).
• Fatigue.
• Sweating.
• Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.
• Visual disturbances.
• Dizziness.
• Seizures.
• Hair loss (alopecia).
• Sexual problems.
• Decreased appetite and weight loss.
• Anxiety and agitation.
• Small purplish blood spots in the skin (ecchymoses).
• Pain in the muscles and joints.
• Allergic reactions such as itchy, blistering skin rash (urticaria) or swelling of the lips, tongue and throat (angioedema).

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How long does it take for Prozac to work?

While depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 4-6 weeks to improve, disturbances in sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working.

OVERDOSE:

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: persistent nausea/vomiting, fast/abnormal heartbeats, severe drowsiness, seizures, loss of consciousness, severe mental/mood changes.

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

What are the possible side effects of Prozac?

Side effects with fluoxetine are generally mild and are similar to those reported with other SSRI antidepressants. The most commonly reported side effects are increased sweating, sleepiness, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, tremor, dry mouth, loss of strength, headache, weight loss or gain, dizziness, and restlessness. If you experience side effects after starting fluoxetine they will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication. Sexual side effects such as problems with ejaculation may also occur, and often do not diminish over time.

SSRI antidepressants

• SSRI antidepressants have been associated with the development of unpleasant or distressing restlessness and the need to move, often accompanied by an inability to sit or stand still. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment. If you experience these symptoms you should consult your doctor.
• Antidepressants may cause the amount of sodium in the blood to drop - a condition called hyponatraemia. This can cause symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, muscle twitching or convulsions. Elderly people may be particularly susceptible to this effect. You should consult your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms while taking this medicine, so that your blood sodium level can be checked if necessary.
• You should avoid suddenly stopping this medicine, as suddenly stopping SSRIs can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea, pins and needles, dizziness and anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms are temporary and are not due to addiction or dependence on the medicine. They are rare with fluoxetine, because it remains in your blood for a few weeks after you stop taking it, and its blood level naturally decreases slowly over time. However, you should follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist when it is time to stop treatment.
• If you experience seizures (convulsions or fits) while taking this medicine, consult your doctor immediately, as you will need to stop treatment with this medicine. This also applies if you suffer from epilepsy and experience more seizures than normal after starting this medicine.
• Consult your doctor if you develop a skin rash or other unexplained allergic reaction while taking this medicine.