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Name: Trademarks: Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Rapiflux, Sarafem, Selfemra, Prozac Pulvules
What is Prozac? Prozac (fluoxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants. Prozac affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Prozac is used to treat major depressive disorder, bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder), obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Prozac is sometimes used in conjunction with another medication called olanzapine (Zyprexa) for the treatment of depression caused by bipolar disorder (manic depression). This combination is also used for treating depression after at least two other medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms. Prozac may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Do not take Prozac together with pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar ), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Dangerous drug interactions could occur, leading to serious side effects. You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment with Prozac. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically ), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking this medication. Prozac can cause heart defects or serious lung problems in the newborn, if you take the drug during pregnancy. However, you can have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Do not start or stop taking Prozac during pregnancy without a doctor's recommendation. Do not take Prozac together with pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar ), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Dangerous drug interactions could occur, leading to serious side effects. You must wait at least 14 days after discontinuation of MAO inhibitors before taking Prozac. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping Prozac, before taking thioridazine (Mellaril) or an MAOI. Tell your doctor about all the others you are taking antidepressants, particularly Celexa, Cymbalta, Desyrel, Effexor, Lexapro, Luvox, Oleptro, Paxil, Pexeva, Symbyax, Viibryd or Zoloft. To make sure that you can safely take Prozac, tell your doctor if you have any of these other terms:
history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts. You may have thoughts about suicide while taking antidepressants, especially if you are younger than 24 years. Tell your doctor if you have worsening depression and suicidal thoughts during the first few weeks of treatment with Prozac, or when your dose is changed. Your family or other persons must be prepared for changes in mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment. FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Prozac. Fluoxetine may cause heart defects or serious lung problems in the newborn, if you take the drug during pregnancy. However, you can have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Do not start or stop taking Prozac during pregnancy without a doctor's recommendation. Fluoxetine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Prozac, without telling your doctor if you feed your baby. Do not let anyone under 18 years of Prozac without consulting your doctor. See also: How should I take Prozac? Take Prozac exactly as prescribed your doctor. Do not take larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose of Prozac, to make sure that you get the best result. Do not crush, chew, break, or open prolonged Prozac capsule. Swallow them whole. Breach or opening the pill may cause too much drug to be released at one time. Measure liquid medicine with a special measuring spoon or medicine dose cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have the dose measurement device, ask your pharmacist for one. This can take up to four weeks to improve symptoms. Keep using Prozac in accordance with the instructions and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment. Do not stop using Prozac suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Prozac. For the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, the usual dose of Prozac is once daily while you have your period or 14 days before you expect your period starts. Follow the instructions of a physician. Store Prozac at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Missed dose if it is almost time for next dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. If you miss a dose of Prozac Weekly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember and take the next dose 7 days later. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled weekly dose, skip the missed dose and take the following as directed. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention or call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, fever, drowsiness, fast or irregular heartbeat, confusion, unconsciousness, convulsions, or coma. What should I avoid while taking Prozac? Avoid taking tryptophan while you are taking Prozac. Drinking alcohol may increase certain side effects of Prozac. This drug may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. See also: Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Prozac: skin rash or hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically ), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
very hard (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors, overactive reflexes;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination, or
headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing stops. cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat;
drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness;

mild nausea, stomach upset, constipation;
increased appetite, weight changes;
decreased libido, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
or dry mouth. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Consult your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. See Also: What other drugs affect Prozac? Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Prozac. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines. Ask your doctor before taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Acetaminophen, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, CAMBIA, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin ), meloxicam (Mobic), and others. The use of NSAIDs with Prozac could result in a bruise or bleed easily. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, such as:
any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), escitalopram (Lexapro), imipramine (Tofranil), sertraline (Zoloft), and others .;
clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
migraine medications such as almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), zolmitriptan, or (Zomig), or
capture drugs such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol). This list is not exhaustive and other drugs may interact with Prozac. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes the recipe for the-counter, vitamins, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Where can I get more information? Your pharmacist can provide more information about Prozac. .