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Side Effects of This Medicine
Side effects from Prozac are common:
- upset stomach
- drowsiness
- weakness or tiredness
- excitement or anxiety
- insomnia
- nightmares
- dry mouth
- ski
n more sensitive to sunlight than usual
- changes in appetite or weight
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- constipation
- difficult
y urinating
- frequent urination
- blurred vision
- changes in sex drive or ability
- excessive sweating
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Warning
Mania/Hypomania: - During premarketing clinical trials in a patient population comprised primarily of unipolar depressives, hypomania or mania occurred in approximately 1% of fluoxetine treated patien
ts. The incidence in a general patient population which might also include bipolar depressives is unknown. The likelihood of hypomanic or manic episodes may be increased at the higher dosage levels. S
uch reactions require a reduction in dosage or discontinuation of the drug.
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Possible food and drug interactions
Combining Prozac with MAO inhibitors or Mellaril (thioridazine) is dangerous.
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
It is especially important to check with your docto
r before combining Prozac with the following:
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Clozapine (Clozaril)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
-
Drugs that impair brain function, such as sleep aids and narcotic painkillers
- Flecainide (Tambocor)
- Haloperidol (Haldol)
- Lithium (Eskalith)
- Other antidepressants (Elavil) <
br> - Phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Pimozide (Orap)
- Tryptophan
- Vinblastine (Velban)
- Warfarin (Coumadin)
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Precautions Before Using This Medicine
Children¡XThis medicine has been tested in a limited number of children 7 to 18 years of age. These studies indicate that Prozac may help to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder in child
en. However, unusual excitement, restlessness, irritability, and trouble in sleeping may be especially likely to occur in children, who seem to be more sensitive than adults to the effects of Prozac.
Prozac must be used with caution in children with depression. Studies have shown occurrences of children thinking about suicide or attempting suicide in clinical trials for this medicine. More study i
s needed to be sure Prozac is safe and effective in children.
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How to Use
Prozac comes as a capsule, tablet, and liquid to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefull
y, 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 j
uice, or Gatorade just before taking it.
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Significant Interactions:
When you are taking Prozac, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Astemizole (e.g., Hismanal)¡XHigher blood levels of a
temizole may occur, which increases the chance of having a very serious change in the rhythm of your heartbeat
- Buspirone (e.g., BuSpar) or
- Bromocriptine (e.g., Parlodel) or
- Dextro
methorphan (cough medicine) or
- Levodopa (e.g., Sinemet) or
- Lithium (e.g., Eskalith) or
- Meperidine (e.g., Demerol) or
- Nefazodone (e.g., Serzone) or
- Pentazocine (e.g.,
Talwin) or
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