Brand Name: Prozac (fluoxetine (floo-OX-e-teen))

Why is Prozac prescribed?

Prozac, an antidepressant (mood elevator), is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and some eating disorders. Fluoxetine (Sarafem) is used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Prozac is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should Prozac be used?

Prozac comes as a capsule, tablet, and liquid to take by mouth. Prozac is usually taken once or twice a day and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Prozac exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Prozac oral liquid comes with a specially marked dropper for measuring the dose. Ask your pharmacist to show you how to use the dropper. Dilute the liquid in 4 ounces (120 ml) of water, apple juice, or Gatorade just before taking it.

Continue to take Prozac even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Prozac without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually. Prozac must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.

Other uses for Prozac

Prozac also is used occasionally to treat alcoholism, some eating disorders, attention-deficit disorders, borderline personality disorders, sleep disorders, headaches, premenstrual syndrome, irregular heartbeat, schizophrenia, Tourette's syndrome, anxiety, and phobias. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking Prozac

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Prozac or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking or have taken within the last 2 weeks, especially anticoagulants [warfarin (Coumadin)]; antidepressants; antihistamines; antipsychotics such as Haldol, with it's main ingredient Haloperidol, (Haldol) or clozapine (Clozaril); buspirone (BuSpar); carbamazepine (Tegretol); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil); medication for anxiety, diabetes, high blood pressure, seizures, Parkinson's disease, asthma, colds, or allergies; muscle relaxants; phenytoin (Dilantin); phentermine; pimozide (Orap); sedatives; sleeping pills; Imitrex, with it's key ingredient Sumatriptan, (Imitrex); thioridazine (Mellaril); thyroid medications; tranylcypromine (Parnate)]; tranquilizers; tryptophan; and vitamins. You should not take phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or thioridazine until at least 5 weeks after you stop taking Prozac, with it's key ingredient Fluoxetine.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, difficulty urinating, seizures, diabetes, an overactive thyroid gland, or liver or heart disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Prozac, call your doctor immediately.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Prozac, with it's key ingredient Fluoxetine.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of Prozac.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless otherwise instructed by your physician, maintain normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.

If you take Prozac once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can Prozac cause?

Side effects from Prozac are common:

• upset stomach
• drowsiness
• weakness or tiredness
• excitement or anxiety
• insomnia
• nightmares
• dry mouth
• skin more sensitive to sunlight than usual
• changes in appetite or weight

• constipation
• difficulty urinating
• frequent urination
• blurred vision
• changes in sex drive or ability
• excessive sweating

• jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms
• slow or difficult speech
• shuffling walk
• persistent, fine tremor or inability to sit still
• fever, chills, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• severe skin rash or hives
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• irregular heartbeat

How should I store Prozac?

Keep Prozac in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose:

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• unsteadinesss
• confusion
• unresponsiveness
• nervousness
• tremor
• dizziness
• rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
• fever
• fainting
• coma