Prozac (Fluoxetine)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), commonly referred to as depression, is a specific psychological predetermined by the presence of certain chemical agents in the brain. The same definition is true for bulimia nervosa and panic disorder / anxiety. Prozac is used to treat all the above mentioned mind irregularities in both grown-ups and children. Your doctor may also prescribe you taking Prozac for other reasons.

Take Prozac in strict accordance to your doctor's prescription.
- Prozac is an oral drug that can be taken both with and without meals.
- Start taking Prozac at the same time daily to avoid missing doses.
- Do not discontinue Prozac therapy even when you have made progress in your treatment.
- Keep all of your medical appointments accurate in order to monitor the changes in your medical state. You may require having your Prozac dosage adjusted. Keep checking all the changes in your medical condition to avoid developing adverse side effects that include psychological or mental changes, numb or tinkling feet or hands, sleep troubles, fatigue, giddiness, various allergic reactions, and vertigo.
Do not hesitate to consult your doctor / pharmacist about Prozac uses and possible effects.

Prozac falls into the group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Prozac works by way of normalizing the balance of serotonin, a chemical substance intrinsic to the brain which is responsible for the mood.

In case you happen to miss a dose of Prozac take one as soon as you remember to. If it is nearly time for you to take the next scheduled dose, take one dose of Prozac. Do not take two doses of the drug in order to catch up with the scheduled dose.

Store Prozac at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Prozac out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Prozac is not recommended for the use of the following groups of patients:
- people who have ever showed any allergic reaction to its ingredients;
- people who took any of the drugs of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) group, for example, phenelzine), selegiline, or St. John's wort during the past fortnight;
- you are taking a fenfluramine derivative (e.g., dexfenfluramine), an H1 antagonist (e.g., astemizole, terfenadine), nefazodone, pimozide, a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) (e.g., venlafaxine), sibutramine, thioridazine, or tryptophan.

Important:
Prozac is not compatible with the following medications:
- dexfenfluramine and other fenfluramine derivatives;
- astemizole, terfenadine and other H1 inhibitors;
- venlafaxine and other serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors;
- sibutramine;
- thioridazine;
- tryptophan.

Notify your doctor should you fall into any of these groups.
- Patients who undergo Prozac therapy may be susceptible to such adverse side effects as fatigue and unusual drowsiness which may be enhanced by alcohol and certain other groups of drugs. Take caution while fulfilling potentially unsafe activities when taking Prozac until you know your typical reactions towards the drug.
- Consult your doctor as for the compatibility of Prozac with other drugs and beverages, esp. hard drinks as in combination with some of them Prozac may dramatically increase the effect of drowsiness and relaxation produced by them.
- People of younger age may appear more susceptible to the ability of Prozac evoke suicide thoughts, therefore all the patients who undergo Prozac therapy and fall into the group of suicide risk should be observed closely by doctors and relatives in order to eliminate alarming symptoms in case of danger;
- Diabetes patients may come across some glucose level changes while taking Prozac. Notify your doctor about the necessity of combining your regular anti-diabetic therapy with Prozac therapy and take your laboratory tests for monitoring blood sugar level regularly.
- A particularly dangerous side effect that may be evoked by Prozac is the so called serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Prozac. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially fatal side effect. Be extremely cautious and avoid taking Prozac with certain other medications listed above. Alarming symptoms of serotonin syndrome are: hallucinations, fever conditions, heart irregularities, nausea, headache, upset stomach, vomiting, and coma. Seek emergency medical help should any of these apply to you;
- in case there is a need in discontinuing Prozac therapy wait for a sufficiently long period of time before you start taking other medications (see the list above); consult your doctor about the exact information on this issue;
- Prozac has been reported to cause painful prolonged erections in some very rare cases. This side effect may lead to erectile dysfunction in men, therefore contact your doctor at once if you experience this adverse symptom;
- People over 65 are more sensitive to Prozac effects, therefore use it with caution if this is your case, especially in some medical conditions like low blood sodium;
- The effects of Prozac in children younger than 7 years of age have not been studied, therefore avoid using it in this category of patients as it may be potentially unsafe;
- Prozac is not recommended for the use of women in their last trimester of pregnancy and lactation period as it may be extremely dangerous for the unborn / newborn baby. Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of Prozac therapy during the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy.

Other side effects may occur while you are on Prozac therapy:
- nausea;
- fatigue;
- impaired sleep;
- anxiety;
- low sexual stamina;
- upset stomach;
- driness of the mouth cavity;
- excessive sweating
- vertigo.

Visit your doctor if any of these symptoms persists or becomes troublesome. Emergency medical interference is needed if you have started developing any of the following side effects:
- any of the following allergic reactions to the medication: rashes, hives, itching, oozing, impaired breathing, vertigo; confused behavior; black or bloody stools; pain in the chest; enhanced reflexes; increased sweating; fheartbeat irregularities; fever or chills, angina; hallucination conditions; excessive urination; pain in joints; problems with coordination; alarming anxiety, panic attacks, wickedness, hot-tempered moods, irascibility, hostility, narcotic-like sensation of bliss, restlessness, constant need in making unnecessary moves, frettiness, constant ringing in the ears; persistent, prolonged / painful erection; heart attacks; severe dermatologic allergy reactions; insomnia or other sleep troubles; dramatic loss of weight; abdominal pain; suicidal mood or attempts; involuntary shudder; susceptiveness to bruising / bleeding; hoarseness; abrupt mood shifts; swelling of limbs / face; vision obstruction; aggravation of depression.

Prozac is only intended for prescription use, therefore it is dangerous sharing your dose with other people. Consult your doctor as soon as you notice that the therapy does not bring any progress to your medical condition.