Prozac

What is the most important information I should know about Prozac?
You may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are under 18 years old. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking Prozac you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to you watching for changes in your own symptoms, your family or other caregivers should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself. Do not take Prozac together with pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take Prozac. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping Prozac before you can take thioridazine (Mellaril) or an MAOI. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking Prozac, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.
What is Prozac?
Prozac is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 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 may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Prozac?
You may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are under 18 years old. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking Prozac you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to you watching for changes in your own symptoms, your family or other caregivers should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeksDo not use Prozac if you are using any of the following drugs:
pimozide (Orap);
thioridazine (Mellaril); or
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam).Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these medicines are taken with Prozac. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take Prozac. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping Prozac before you can take thioridazine (Mellaril) or an MAOI.
Before taking Prozac, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
cirrhosis of the liver;
kidney disease;
diabetes;
seizures or epilepsy;
bipolar disorder (manic depression); or
a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Prozac, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests.FDA pregnancy category C. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking Prozac, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. Prozac can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Prozac?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.Do not break, chew, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Measure the liquid form of Prozac with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label.It may take 4 weeks or longer before you start feeling better. Do not stop using Prozac without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.
To treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, the usual dose of Prozac is once daily while you are having your period, or 14 days before you expect your period to start. Follow your doctor's instructions.Store Prozac at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of Prozac?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. 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 next one as directed.Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose with Prozac?Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication. Symptoms of a Prozac overdose may include nausea, vomiting, fever, sleepiness, rapid or uneven heartbeat, confusion, fainting, seizures, or coma.
What should I avoid while taking Prozac?Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Prozac.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, other medication for depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Prozac.Prozac can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What are the possible side effects of Prozac?Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
seizure (convulsions);
tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching;
a red, blistering, peeling skin rash;
unusual thoughts or behavior;
problems with balance or coordination; or
agitation, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
feeling anxious, nervous, restless, or unable to sit still;
drowsiness, dizziness, weakness;
sleep problems (insomnia);
runny nose, sore throat, headache, flu symptoms;
nausea, diarrhea, changes in appetite;
weight changes;
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or
dry mouth, increased sweating.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Prozac?
Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with Prozac may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Before taking Prozac, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
alprazolam (Xanax);
clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo);
digitoxin (Crystodigin);
flecainide (Tambocor);
haloperidol (Haldol);
seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol);
tryptophan (also called L-tryptophan);
vinblastine (Velban);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or
any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or sertraline (Zoloft).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Prozac, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Prozac. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information on Prozac?
Your pharmacist has additional information about Prozac written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Fluoxetine is available with a prescription generically and under the brand names Prozac and Sarafem. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Prozac 10 mg-green, elliptical, scored tablets
Prozac 10 mg-green capsules
Prozac 20 mg-green and white capsules
Prozac 40 mg-green and orange capsules
Prozac 20 mg/5 mL oral solution-mint flavored solution
Prozac Weekly 90 mg-green and clear capsules