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Fluoxetine
What is Fluoxetine?
This medication is prescribed to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Also sometimes used for eating disorders and panic attacks.
How should this medication be taken?
This medication is given in a tablet should be swallowed whole do not chew it or crush it. If you have trouble swallowing pills or are on a feeding tube your doctor might recommend the liquid solution, this medication can be taken with or without food depending on how it will affect your stomach. If it makes your stomach upset it is best to take it with a meal or a snack. This medication is sometimes given once or twice a day to be taken in the morning and the afternoon. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember if it is almost time for your next dose skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at once.
Precautions when taking this medication
Tell your doctor what medication you are allergic too and how it affected you what symptoms you got with the allergic reaction. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or might become pregnant, it is not known if this medication will harm an unborn baby it has not been known to happen. Also talk to your doctor if you are breast feeding it is also not known to cause harm to a baby and not known to pass through breast milk but to be on the safe side it is best not to breast feed while on this medication unless your doctor says it is okay for you to do so. Also tell your doctor if your family has a history of mental illness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery when taking this medication or anything that needs you to be alert until you know how this medication is going to affect you. This medication will cause you to become drowsy.
Side effects of this medication
There are common, less common and rare side effects of this medication. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have had any of the following side effects:
- More common side effects- Diarrhea, heartburn, and sores in mouth or lips.
- Less common side effects- Black tarry stools, fever, chills, side pain, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain.
- Rare side effects- Chest pain, unable to breath, loss of feeling in hands and feet, trouble with balance.
There are times when these side effects do not need immediate medical attention but if they bother you talk to your doctor about them.
Important information to know when taking this medication
Never share this medication with others and do not use others medication even if you have or they have the same symptoms as you it is not safe because your doctor has prescribed the medication for your body’s system. Keep a list of all the medications you are taking so your doctor knows to see if it will interact with this medication at his time there are no know drug or food interactions. Be sure to tell your doctor all the medications you are taking even if they are non-prescription such as, vitamins, allergy meds, and also any herbal remedies you might be taking.
How to store this medication
This medication should be stored at room temperature in a cool dry place away from heat and moisture. And keep out of reach of children and animals. Do not store this medication in a bathroom or near a sink because this medication will not work if it becomes wet. If this medication becomes out dated ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely dispose of it. The best thing to do is give it to your doctor or pharmacist so they can dispose of it for you.
When not to take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this medication or any of its ingredients. Talk to your doctor if you have had any of these problems before taking this medication so that another can be prescribed for you. Also it may not be safe to take this medication if you have had seizures or have had a history of seizures. So be sure to tell your doctor if you have had seizures before.
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