fluoxetine

Summary

Fluoxetine is mainly indicated for the treatment of depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders and panic or anxiety disorders. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin.
It should be taken preferably in the morning, with water, with or without food and without missing any dose.
This medication is controlled and must be prescribed by a doctor with a prescription in two copies, one to keep with the patient and the other to keep in the retina at the pharmacy. Do not use this medicine without medical supervision.

About a molecule

Nome químico: (±)-N-methyl-3-phenyl-3-[4- (trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]propan-1-amine

Molecule Names : Fluoxetine Hydrochloride

Trade names : Fluoxetine Hydrochloride, Prozac, Prozac Durapac, Daforin, Depress, Fluxene, Zyfloxin, Psychic, Vectorin S, Prozen,

Dose 

– Depression: 20 to 80 mg/day

– Eating disorders (Bulimia Nervosa): 60 mg/day

– Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: 20 mg/day to 60 mg/day

– Premenstrual tension: 20 mg/day

– Maximum recommended dose: 80 mg/day

– Children (8 to 18 years): 10 to 60 mg/day

Follow your doctor’s advice, always respecting the times, doses and duration of treatment. Do not stop treatment without your doctor’s knowledge.

Posology

– 10 to 20 mg once a day, which can be increased after a few days to up to 80 mg 3 times a day.

– Premenstrual Stress: 20 mg/day administered continuously (during all days of the menstrual cycle) or intermittently (ie, daily use, starting 14 days before the expected onset of menstruation until the first day of menstrual flow. The dose must be repeated with each new menstrual cycle).

– Concomitant Illnesses and/or Therapies: A lower or less frequent dose should be considered in patients with liver impairment, concurrent illnesses, or those taking multiple medications.

Do not stop taking fluoxetine abruptly, decrease doses gradually, as directed by your doctor, to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

Indications

– Depression , associated or not with anxiety .

– Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

– Mood problems caused by the menstrual cycle, including premenstrual tension (PMS) .

– Eating problems such as bulimia nervosa .

– Panic attacks

– Unapproved uses (not listed in package insert): Fibromyalgia , post-traumatic stress, weight loss.

Does fluoxetine really lose weight? There are no scientific data that indicate that the use of fluoxetine leads to weight loss, only 10% of people who take fluoxetine have the side effect of anorexia. Some experts believe that fluoxetine may help with loss by helping with emotional issues due to its antidepressant effect.

Talk to your doctor to see if this medication is appropriate for your child, the risk and benefits must be weighed.

Effects

Antidepressant , from the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Increases serotonin levels in the brain.

Serotonin, which is a molecule that acts in the communication between neurons and apparently interferes with the release of some hormones, regulation of heart rate, sleep and appetite. Studies prove that people with depression have low levels of serotonin in the brain.

Improvements in eating and sleeping habits tend to happen quickly, other signs may take 4 to 6 weeks to improve.

Adverse effects

Stomach problems, dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, nightmares, insomnia, tiredness, headache, among others.

Children and teens who take this medication may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Adults are also at risk. This risk is greater when the person has had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past.

May lead to increased bleeding

Eye problem You may need regular eye exams.

May affect growth in children and adolescents

People over 65 years old have a higher risk of having an adverse effect.

Although rare, other adverse effects may arise, which may be life-threatening. If you have any suspicious symptoms, see your doctor.

Contraindications

This medicine should not be used:

– in cases of allergy to fluoxetine or any substance in this medicine

– by people who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as moclobemide and tranylcypromine sulfate

– must be used with care in cases of people with a history of seizures, in cases of eye pressure, diabetes.

Drug interactions

– medicines used to treat depression: isocarboxazid, phenelzide, or tranylcypromine.

– medicines used to treat Parkinson’s Disease: selegiline or rasagiline

– monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as moclobemide and tranylcypromine sulphate. Wait at least 14 days after discontinuing the MAOI to start treatment with fluoxetine.

– drugs that are metabolized by a specific subgroup of enzymes produced by the liver: P4502D6 system. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find out what they are.

– medicines that act on the central nervous system, such as: phenytoin, carbamazepine, haloperidol, clozapine, diazepam, alprazolam, lithium, imipramine and desipramine.

– medicines that bind to plasma proteins.

– acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

– non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

– St. John’s wort, also known as hypericum or Hypericum perforatum may interact with fluoxetine.

Pregnancy and lactation

It should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women without medical advice.

Although rare, there are reports of undesirable symptoms in newborns whose mothers used fluoxetine near or at the end of pregnancy. Fluoxetine metabolites cross into the human placenta, some experts believe this drug may cause teratogenicity. Its use in pregnancy is controversial.

During lactation, the use of fluoxetine is not recommended, as the drug’s metabolites are excreted in milk, but the physician must analyze the risk benefit before prescribing fluoxetine.

pharmaceutical presentations

– capsules: 10mg, 20mg, 90mg

– coated tablet: 20 mg

– oral solution: 20 mg/mL

overdose

Symptoms of intoxication or overdose are: nausea, vomiting, convulsions, cardiovascular dysfunction, pulmonary dysfunction and signs of central nervous system alteration. Reports of death from overdose are rare.
In cases of overdose, check breathing and heartbeat and quickly refer to a doctor.

Tips

– It may take several weeks to see effects from using this medicine.

– Tell your doctor if you have used someone else’s medication to treat depression or Parkinson’s in the last 14 days, or during, before taking fluoxetine. Some of these medications can cause severe high blood pressure. See the list of drugs in Drug Interactions.

– Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all health problems and medications (prescription or over-the-counter, natural products or vitamins). You should check that it is safe to take fluoxetine with all of your health conditions and medications.

– Do not start, stop or change the dose of any medication without your doctor’s knowledge. Do not stop taking this medicine abruptly, as this may cause an increased risk of side effects. If you need it for the medicine, talk to your doctor who will prescribe a regimen of gradually decreasing doses.

– Do not drive or do activities that require you to be fully alert until you know how this medicine works in your body.

To obtain a better effect:
– in the case of a single dose, prefer to take it in the morning.

– do not miss any dose

– tell your doctor before taking any medication or natural product that reduces your alertness.

– if you have diabetes, monitor your blood glucose level constantly.

– If you miss a dose , take it as soon as you remember. If you remember very close to the time of the next dose, do not take the missed dose, but the next dose.

– Never take two doses at the same time or too many doses.

– Do not chew, break or open the capsule of this medicine.

– For liquid fluoxetine (solution), measure the dose carefully using the meter or oral syringe.

Jeanne Kenney
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I’m a stylist trainer, a content creator, and an entrepreneur passion. Virgo sign and Pisces ascendant, I move easily between my dreams, the crazy world I want, and my feet on the ground to carry out my projects.

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