Fluoxetine (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Prozac

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor, to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

If this medicine upsets your stomach, it may be taken with food.

If you are taking fluoxetine for depression, it may take 4 weeks or longer before you begin to feel better. Also, you may need to keep taking this medicine for 6 months or longer to stop the depression from returning. If you are taking fluoxetine for obsessive-compulsive disorder, it may take 5 weeks or longer before you begin to get better. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits during this time.

If you are taking fluoxetine for bulimia nervosa, you may begin to get better after 1 week. However, it may take 4 weeks or longer before you get better.

Dosing-

The dose of fluoxetine will be different for different patients and for different medical problems. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of fluoxetine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so:

The number of capsules or teaspoonfuls of solution that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking fluoxetine.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules or solution):
  • For depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder:
    • Adults-At first, usually 20 milligrams (mg) a day, taken as a single dose in the morning. Your doctor may increase the dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 80 mg a day. Once your depression is under control, your doctor may wish to change you to a weekly dose. In this case, you will usually take a 90-mg capsule as a single dose one day per week.
    • Children-Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For bulimia nervosa:
    • Adults-Usually 60 milligrams (mg) a day, taken as a single dose in the morning. Your doctor may start with a lower dose and increase it gradually. The dose usually is not more than 80 mg a day.
    • Children-Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For premenstrual dysphoric disorder:
    • Adults-At first, usually 20 milligrams (mg) a day, taken as a single dose in the morning. Your doctor may have you take 20 mg every day of your menstrual cycle or for only 14 days out of your cycle. Your doctor will determine the use and dose that is right for you. Your doctor may increase the dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 80 mg a day.
    • Children-Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose-

If you miss a dose of this medicine, it is not necessary to make up the missed dose. Skip the missed dose and continue with your next scheduled dose. Do not double doses.

Storage-

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the oral solution form of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Last Revised: 02/01/2005

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