Fluoxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, bulimia, or panic attacks. Sometimes this drug can also be used together with olanzapine in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Fluoxetine is an antidepressant drug selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which works by increasing the natural serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates emotions, sleep, and appetite. When the amount of serotonin increases, emotional disturbances and mental disorders can also be resolved.
Fluoxetine trademark: Antiprestin, Elizac, Foransi, Fluoxetine HCL, Sactine, Prestin
What is Fluoxetine
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Antidepressants selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) |
| Benefit | Coping with depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, bulimia, or premenstrual dysphoric syndrome |
| Consumed by | Adults and children 7 years old |
| Fluoxetine for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Fluoxetine can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Capsule |
Precautions Before Taking Fluoxetine
Fluoxetine should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. Here are some things you need to pay attention to before taking fluoxetine:
- Do not take fluoxetine if you are allergic to this drug. Always tell your doctor about any allergies you have.
- Do not take fluxetine if you are taking antipsychotic drugs, such as pimozide or thioridazine.
- Do not take fluoxetine if you have taken an MAOI drug, such as isocarboxazid or phenelzine, in the past 14 days.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had cirrhosis, problems urinating, diabetes, seizures, epilepsy, glaucoma, arrhythmias, heart disease, or another mental disorder, such as bipolar disorder.
- Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness after taking fluxetine, as this medicine can cause drowsiness.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug, serious side effects, suicidal tendencies, or an overdose after taking fluoxetine.
Dosis and Instructions for Use of Fluoxetine
The dose of fluoxetine given by the doctor depends on the health condition and age of the patient. Here is the explanation:
Condition: Depression
- Mature: The initial dose is 20 mg once daily. The dose can be increased gradually up to a maximum of 80 mg per day.
- Children 8 years old: The initial dose is 10 mg per day. The dose may be increased to 20 mg per day after 1–2 weeks.
Condition: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Mature: The initial dose is 20 mg per day. The dose can be increased gradually up to 60 mg per day. The maximum dose is 80 mg per day.
- Children 7 years old: The initial dose is 10 mg per day. The dose may be increased to 20 mg per day after 2 weeks of treatment. The dose can be increased again to 60 mg per day if needed.
Condition: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Mature: 20 mg per day, taken daily, starting 14 days before menstruation until the first day of menstruation.
Condition: bulimia
- Mature: 60 mg per day, once a day or divided into several consumption schedules.
Condition: Panic attack
- Mature: The initial dose is 10 mg per day, which can be increased to 20 mg per day after 1 week of treatment. The dose can be increased again to 60 mg per day.
How to Take Fluoxetine Correctly
Take fluoxetine as directed by your doctor and the instructions on the medicine package. Do not change your dose or stop treatment without consulting your doctor first. The doctor will reduce the dose of the drug gradually according to the condition and response to therapy.
Fluoxetine can be taken before or after meals. Do not crush, chew, or split this medication as this may affect the effectiveness of the drug.
If you forget to take fluoxetine, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of your next dose, ignore the missed dose. Do not double the dose of fluoxetine to make up for a missed dose.
Do not stop treatment with fluoxetine even if you feel better, unless advised by your doctor. It may take 4-5 weeks before you feel the full benefit of this drug.
Store fluoxetine at room temperature and place in a closed container. Keep the medicine away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.
Fluoxetine Interactions with Other Drugs
The following are some of the effects of drug interactions that may occur if fluoxetine is used together with other drugs:
- Increased risk of developing serotonin syndrome if taken with triptans, buspirone, lithium, tryptophan, tramadol, MAOI drugs, or other SSRI drugs, such as sertraline
- Increased risk of bleeding if taken with NSAIDs or anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin
- Increased risk of seizures when used with bupropion
- Increased levels of phenytoin or dextromethorphan in the blood
- Increased risk of developing dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, such as QT prolongation, if used with amiodarone, ceritinib, chloroquine, or antipsychotics, such as pimozide or thioridazine
Fluoxetine Side Effects and Dangers
Some of the side effects that can occur after taking fluoxetine are:
- Excessive sleepiness or yawning
- Headache or dizziness
- Sleep disturbance
- Loss of appetite
- Tremor
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- dry mouth
- Worried
Check with a doctor if the complaints mentioned above do not go away or get worse. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction or a more serious side effect, such as:
- Dizzy like you want to faint
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Loss of balance and body coordination
- Seizures
- Easy bruising
- Blurred eyes
- Decreased libido or sexual arousal
In addition, the use of fluoxetine can also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome which can be characterized by fast heart rate, very severe dizziness, hallucinations, muscle twitching, high fever, or restlessness.