It has been used in many breastfeeding mothers without any problems. Fluoxetine passes into breast milk, usually in small amounts. It has been linked with side effects in very few breastfed babies. It is important to continue taking fluoxetine to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby. If you notice that your baby isn't feeding as well as usual, or seems unusually sleepy, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, then talk to your health visitor or doctor as soon as possible.
Some medicines and fluoxetine can interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start fluoxetine :. Do not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you are being treated with fluoxetine as this will increase your risk of side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.
Fluoxetine is one of a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These medicines are thought to work by increasing the levels of a mood-enhancing chemical called serotonin in the brain. You may see an improvement in your symptoms after 1 to 2 weeks, although it usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks before you feel the full benefits.
That's because it takes around a week for fluoxetine levels to build up in your body, and then a few weeks longer for your body to adapt and get used to it. Do not stop taking fluoxetine after 1 to 2 weeks just because you feel it is not helping your symptoms.
Give the medicine at least 6 weeks to work. Antidepressants like fluoxetine help to jump start your mood so you feel better. You may notice that you sleep better and get on with people more easily because you're less anxious. You will hopefully take in your stride little things that used to worry you. Fluoxetine won't change your personality or make you feel euphorically happy.
It will simply help you feel like yourself again. Don't expect to feel better overnight, though. Some people feel worse during the first few weeks of treatment before they begin to feel better.
Once you're feeling better it's likely that you will continue to take fluoxetine for several more months. Most doctors recommend that you take antidepressants for 6 months to a year after you no longer feel depressed. Stopping before that time can make depression come back.
A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive. In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you are worried. If you've been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest coming off fluoxetine.
Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks - or longer, if you have been taking fluoxetine for a long time. This is to help prevent any extra side effects you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine.
These include:. Do not stop taking fluoxetine suddenly, or without talking to your doctor first. However, sometimes people respond better to one antidepressant than to another. Talk to your doctor if you aren't feeling any better after 6 weeks.
Fluoxetine does not affect any type of contraception including contraceptive pills or emergency contraception. There's some evidence that fluoxetine can reduce the quality of sperm - but it's not known whether this reduces male fertility.
The effect should reverse once you stop taking the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you're concerned. For women, there's no firm evidence to suggest that taking fluoxetine will reduce your fertility. However, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may want to review your treatment. The good effects of fluoxetine may, after a while, improve your sex life as your mood lifts and you become interested in life and relationships again.
Sexual side effects usually pass after the first couple of weeks. However, very rarely, they can be long lasting and may not get better even after stopping the medicine. If these happen and are a problem for you, go back to your doctor to see if there's another treatment you can try. Fluoxetine can make you feel less hungry than usual, so you may lose weight when you start taking it.
If you start to have problems with your weight while taking fluoxetine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Some people can't concentrate properly while they're taking fluoxetine. It might be best to stop driving and cycling for the first few days of treatment until you know how this medicine makes you feel.
You can drink alcohol while taking fluoxetine but it may make you feel sleepy. It might be best to stop drinking alcohol for the first few days of treatment until you see how the medicine affects you. Antidepressants, including fluoxetine, are just one of several approaches to treating depression. Other potential treatments include:.
All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their health care provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment. Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists.
This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions.
Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein.
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Mental health conditions Learn more about common mental health conditions that affect millions. Missing doses of fluoxetine may increase your risk for relapse in your symptoms.
Caution is advised with breastfeeding since fluoxetine does pass into breast milk. Symptoms of your condition that bother you the most If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your provider.
Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require changes in the medication. Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have, including a history of bipolar disorder All other medications you are currently taking including over the counter products, herbal and nutritional supplements and any medication allergies you have Other non-medication treatment you are receiving, such as talk therapy or substance abuse treatment.
Your provider can explain how these different treatments work with the medication. If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding If you drink alcohol or use drugs How Should I Take Fluoxetine? While some symptoms will be relieved sooner than others, Prozac commonly takes two to four weeks before improvement is really apparent.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 for advice or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Prozac. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. If you have taken too much Prozac, you may feel sick in the stomach, vomit, feel restless, agitated or excited.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Prozac. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Prozac. If Prozac is used during pregnancy, you should be careful, particularly at the end of pregnancy.
The symptoms of depression or other psychiatric conditions may include thoughts of harming yourself or suicide. These symptoms may continue or get worse during the first one or two months of treatment until the full antidepressant effect of Prozac becomes apparent.
This is more likely to occur in young adults under 25 years of age. If you or someone you know is demonstrating any of the following warning signs, contact your doctor or a mental health professional right away or go to the nearest hospital for treatment:.
If you experience drowsiness, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous. Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. Suddenly stopping Prozac may cause symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, headache, feeling sick, or tingling or numbness of the hands or feet. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of Prozac you are taking before stopping completely.
Do not take the herbal remedy St. If you are already taking the herbal remedy, stop taking St. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Prozac affects you. Prozac may cause drowsiness in some people. Keep your capsules or tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take your capsules or tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep as well.
Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees C. Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C. Do not store Prozac or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it on a windowsill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines. Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines. If your doctor tells you to stop taking Prozac or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over. Prozac is a Schedule 4 medicine prescription only.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Prozac. Prozac may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not.
You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. Headaches are very common side effects. Weight loss and decreased height gain have been observed in association with the use of Prozac in children and adolescent patients. This is similar to other medicines that belong to the group of medicines.
View more information about myVMC. Please be aware that we do not give advice on your individual medical condition, if you want advice please see your treating physician. Parenting information is available at Parenthub. Are you a Health Professional?
Jump over to the doctors only platform. Click Here. Prozac is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
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