How to use
Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) should be taken orally, usually once a day, with or without food. This medication may make you either sleepy or more awake, so depending on the effect this medication has on you, your doctor may advise you to take the full dosage either in the morning or the evening. Follow the instructions of your doctor carefully, even if they differ from the usually recommended dosage. Read the label thoroughly. To obtain maxium benefits of Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine), you should take this medication regularly, at approximately the same time every day. It should become part of your daily routine.
It is important to keep taking Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine), even if you feel well, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking this medication, some conditions may become worse. You need to be gradually weaned off the pills.
Overdose
Common potential symptoms of a Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) overdose include:
- Seizures
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
- Vomiting
Other, less frequent, overdose symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Coma
- Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Fever
- Fainting
- Loss of life
An overdose of this medication can be fatal. Combining Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) with certain other medicines can cause symptoms of an overdose. If you suspect you have taken too much of this medication, contact your loval poison control center or the emergency medical services immediately.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dosage of Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine), then take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next scheduled dosage, just skip the missed dose and take the next one instead. Do not double up on this medication to make up for a missed dose.
Notes
While under treatment with Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine), you should make regular appointments for medical or psychiatric tests and check-ups. This way, your doctor can chart your progress and check for any side effects. Make sure not to miss any of these appointments.
Do not share this medication with others, as they may have a condition that is not effectively treated by Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine).
Storage
Store Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) and away from light and moisture. KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
Important Note
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed that the taking of this medication is safe, appropriate or effective for you.
Precautions
Before using Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine), you should inform your doctor of all other conditions your suffer or ever have suffered from, including:
- Personal or family history of bipolar/manic-depressive disorder
- Personal or family history of suicide attempts
- Liver problems
- Diabetes
- Low sodium in the blood
- Severe loss of body water (dehydration)
- Seizures
- Stomach or intestinal ulcers
If you have any of the above conditions, you may not be able to take Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) or you may need a dosage adjustment.
Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving or any other activities that require alterness, until you are sure you can safely do so.
If you are diabetic, this medication may affect your blood sugar levels. You should monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and discuss the results with your doctor. Based on those results, he may decide to adjust your medication, diet or amount of exercise. Liquid forms of Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) may contain sugar or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence or a liver disease. For this reason you should also limit your alcohol intake while taking this medication.
Caution is advised when Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) is taken by an elderly person as they may be more sensitive to certain side effects of this medication. People of this age group are more likely to lose too much salt (hyponatremia), especially if they are also taking diuretics.
Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) is classed as Pregnancy Category C, which means it is not sure whether this medication could be harmful to an unborn baby. It is generally accepted that these pills are relatively safe to use during pregnancy and that the benefits and risks of taking them should be weighed against each other. Discuss the use of this medication with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during treatment.
Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) passes through breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing infant. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medication. Discuss the risks of benefits with your doctor.
Drug Interactions
Before taking Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine), inform your doctor of all other medication you are currently taking:
- MAO inhibitors (Furazolidone, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Procarbazine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine) with fluoxetine for 2 weeks before, during treatment, and at least 5 weeks after your last dose
- Pimozide
- Sibutramine
- Thioridazine
- Carbamazepine
- Cimetidine
- Phenytoin
- Vinblastine
- Medication for anxiety such as Alprazolam and Diazepam
- Antipsychotics such as Aripiprazole, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Perphenazine
- Antiarrhythmics such as Propafenone and Flecainide
- TCA antidepressants such as Desipramine or Imipramine
- Fosamprenavir
- Ritonavir
- Metoprolol
- Diuretics such as Furosemide
- Medication that can cause bleeding or bruising (including aspirin, antiplatelet drugs such as Clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, blood thinners such as Heparin and Warfarin
- Bromocriptine
- Buspirone
- Dextromethorphan
- Lithium
- Meperidine
- Propoxyphene
- Phentermine
- SSRIs
- SNRIs
- Tryptophan
- St. John's wort
- Medication used to treat migraines such as triptans and dihydroergotamine
- Street drugs such as MDMA or ecstasy
- Amphetamine
- Certain antihistamines including diphenhydramine
- Anti-seizure drugs (such as Carbamazepine)
- Medicine for sleep or anxiety such as Lorazepam, Zolpidem
- Muscle relaxants
- Narcotic pain relievers (such as Codeine)
- Psychiatric medicines (such as Chlorpromazine, Quetiapine, Nortriptyline, Trazodone)
- Cimetidine
- Cough-and-cold medication containing ingredients that cause drowsiness
Fluoxetine may stay in your body for several weeks after treatment and could interact with other medications. Before taking any other medication you should tell your doctor if you have taken Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine) in the past 5 weeks.
This is only a partial list and there may be other medications which interact with Generic Prozac (Fluoxetine). Inform your doctor of all other prescription and non-prescription medication you use, including dietary supplements, vitamins, herbal pills and medication prescribed by other doctors. Do not start or stop taking any medication without discussing it with your doctor first.
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