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Chemical Name: FLUOXETINE
 
Common applications

Prozac is a medicine for the treatment of depression and anxiety-related disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, panic, and can also be used to treat the premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The drug has some other applications as well, and your doctor may choose to prescribe it to you for various other conditions as well.

Precautions

This medicine is known to have negative interactions with some other drugs. Do not use it if you're currently using astemizole, dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, sibutramine, terfenadine, thioridazine, tramadol, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking cisapride, clozapine, cyclobenzaprine, cyproheptadine, lithium, propafenone, selegiline, tricyclic antidepressants, or medicine for seizures. Your doctor should be made aware of a pregnancy if there is one.

Instructions

The medicine may cause your stomach to become upset. If this happens, take it with your regular meals to help negate this effect. The prescribed time of usage should be fulfilled, even if you begin to feel better during the course of the treatment - do not stop prematurely. Do your best to not miss any doses - if you do, take the next one. Under no circumstances should you take two doses to attempt to compensate for a missed one.

Warnings

The medicine may cause allergic reactions in some - do not use it if you've had an allergic reaction to one of its ingredients before. You will not see an improvement straight away, normally a few weeks will have to pass before you see any effects. Keep your doctor well informed of your condition and do not miss any appointments you've made with them.

If you experience any negative feelings such as anxiety, panic, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsive feelings, or a deepening of your depression, these are signs that your treatment is ineffective and you should stop if immediately.

Consult your doctor to discover alternate ways to treat yourself. If you're currently taking care of a patient using this medicine, these are the symptoms to look out for most.

Do not drive a vehicle or operate any heavy machinery while under the effects of this medicine. Using this medicine in combination with other medications of a similar kind, and alcohol, may worsen these negative effects. Avoid drinking large quantities of alcohol while under the effects of the medication.

Children's organisms are much more prone to the harmful effects of the medicine, and special care should be taken when watching over a child being treated with it. Women in pregnancy should talk to their doctors about the possible harms from using this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects

You may experience certain side effects while being treated with this medicine, including nervousness, restlessness, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, muscle spasms, and a decreased sexual drive.

These should all normally go away by themselves soon after they've appeared - if any of them do not, talk to your doctor about it.

Special attention should be paid to symptoms of side effects related to your depression state - if you begin having negative thoughts and emotions, you should stop using the drug and talk to a doctor immediately.

Allergies to this medicine are not very common, but if you experience any itching, rashes, irritation, and swelling, this may be an indication of an allergic reaction. Your doctor should be able to provide you with assistance in that case.

Overdose

If you suspect you may have overdosed on the medicine, contact your local poison center right away. The common symptoms of an overdose are nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, restlessness, fainting, and an irregular heartbeat.

Final notes

The medicine must not be shared with individuals who do not have a prescription for it. It should not be used to treat other health conditions. Keep it in a dry, cool place, out of reach for children and pets and out of direct sunlight exposure. Keep your self well supplied so that you do not run out, and buy resupplies beforehand.

Drug interactions

The medicine may have negative interactions with other medications. Your doctor should be able to provide you with a concise list of medications you're currently using which could cause potential problems, so inform them of everything you're currently using.