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Fluoxetine (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Prozac

Precautions While Using This Medicine

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, to allow dosage adjustments and help reduce any side effects.

If you develop a skin rash or hives, stop taking fluoxetine and check with your doctor as soon as possible.

Fluoxetine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you or your caregiver notice any of these unwanted effects, tell your doctor right away.

Do not suddenly stop taking your fluoxetine. If you have been instructed to stop taking fluoxetine, ask you healthcare professional how to slowly decrease the dose. This is to decrease the chance of having symptoms such as agitation, breathing problems, chest pain, confusion, diarrhea, dizziness or light-headedness, fast heartbeat, headache, increased sweating, muscle pain, nausea, restlessness, runny nose, trouble in sleeping, trembling or shaking, unusual tiredness or weakness, vision changes, or vomiting.

Do not take fluoxetine within 2 weeks of taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]) and do not take an MAO inhibitor for at least 5 weeks after taking fluoxetine. If you do, you may develop extremely high blood pressure or convulsions.

Do not take thioridazine (e.g., Mellaril) while you are taking fluoxetine or less than 5 weeks after you have stopped taking fluoxetine. Using these medicines together can cause very serious heart problems.

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking fluoxetine.

For diabetic patients:

  • This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy or less able to think clearly, or to have poor muscle control. Make sure you know how you react to fluoxetine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert and well able to control your movements.

Last Revised: 02/01/2005

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Last Topics in Meds-Help.com Forums

stop taking fluoxetine
My boyfriend was prescribed with fluoxetine, two years ago. Actually he isn't depressed but had high blood pressure. The dr. prescribed fluoxetine and Triamterene. After two years of taking the fluoxetine, suddently he stopped. His prescription had run out! But since then he has suffered from stomach problems. I was wondering If there is a method to stop to take fluoxetine without weaning himself off. He went to the doctor because of his stomach and he didnt even do any tests he just wrote out another prescription for the fluoxetine and he said: "I have a feeling in a month or two you'll want to go back on it". Does anyone know how this affects you if you stop taking it abruptly? thanks,
Read More in our Fluoxetine (Prozac; Sarafem) Forum

Fluoxetine and side effects
Hi there, You are not alone, I also have depression and OCD. I can't really remember how long it took for positive results on Fluoxetine. All I can say is hang in there - the fluoxetine will help on the road to happiness!! OCDeoz
Read More in our Fluoxetine (Prozac; Sarafem) Forum

Fluoxetine and side effects
Hi,
I have just started taking Fluoxetine for depression on OCD, could anyone tell me how long it took before they saw positive results?

It is only my second day but I have felt very odd, quite withdrawn,

Side effects mentioned appetite loss however, I feel the opposite... Any feedback would be great!

Thanks x

--------------------
ELockyer

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Difference with fluoxetine?
I posted on my excellent experience with generic fluoxetine from India.
Does anybody have experience with the generic forms of Paxil (Paroxetine)? [Confused] Any differnece with fluoxetine? YOur support would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards [Smile]
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stop taking fluoxetine
He stopped it about a month, about the same time his stomach problems started. He wasn't depressed, but the Dr. figured his blood pressure was high because he had stress in his life so he put him on fluoxetine. He wasnt intending to stop but he just ran out of fluoxetine and he was too busy to fill the prescription and he decide that he really didn't need them. I'm wondering if these stomach problems are a sign of withdrawal but I hope it's not something serious that the Doctor is just overlooking because he thinks its related to stop the meds. I wish he would have at least done a blood test, xray or other. The Doctor was a kind of upset he had stopped taking fluoxetine and wrote out another prescription in case he changes his mind. Thats good, your doing it the right way. I think Doctors are too quick to prescribe medicines like this without figuring out who really needs them.
Read More in our Fluoxetine (Prozac; Sarafem) Forum

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