Sometimes, when we feel sad, anxious, or have difficulty controlling certain habits, a doctor may prescribe a medication called Fluoxetine. When you hear the name of this medication, you may feel a little scared and have a lot of questions. It's normal to think things like, "What is this really? What will it do to me?" But don't worry. Today, we're going to talk about this medication in a very simple way, as if we were talking to a friend.
What kind of medicine is Fluoxetine?
Simply put, Fluoxetine is a medication used to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and some eating disorders.
Imagine that there are little messengers inside our brains that control our mood, that is, our happiness and calmness. We call these neurotransmitters. Serotonin is one such very important messenger. Sometimes, when this serotonin level decreases, we start to feel things like sadness and anxiety. Fluoxetine increases the amount of serotonin in our brain and balances its activity. In medicine, these types of medicines are called SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) .
Sometimes your doctor may prescribe this medication for other conditions, so if you have any questions, it's best to talk to your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before prescribing Fluoxetine to you, it is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has any of the conditions listed below.
| Situation you need to report | Description |
|---|---|
| Bipolar Disorder | If you or someone in your family has this condition. |
| Bleeding diseases | If you have a condition that causes easy bleeding and bruising. |
| Glaucoma | A condition of increased pressure in the eyes. |
| Heart disease | Any type of heart disease. |
| Liver diseases | If you have liver problems. |
| Low sodium levels | If there are reports of low sodium levels in the blood. |
| Epilepsy/ Seizures | A medical condition that comes on like a fit. |
| Suicidal thoughts | If you have previously thought about or attempted suicide. |
| MAOI type medication | If you are taking another type of antidepressant (e.g. Parnate). |
| Anticoagulant | Medicines like Warfarin and Aspirin. |
| Thyroid diseases | Low or high thyroid hormone levels. |
| Pregnancy or planning | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
| Other allergies | If you are allergic to fluoxetine or any other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
How should I use this medicine?
This is very simple. Take the dose that your doctor has prescribed with a glass of water. Follow the instructions on the medicine label exactly. You can take it before or after meals. The most important thing is to take it at about the same time every day . This will help keep the medicine at the same level in your body. Do not take more than the amount your doctor has told you, or more often than prescribed.
Very important: Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause your symptoms to suddenly get worse or cause other serious side effects. If you do stop, do so gradually, reducing the dose, and only under the supervision of your doctor.
Overdose
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Therefore, never share your medicine with anyone else.
What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, do not take it as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual time. Never take two doses at once to make up for the missed dose. Doing so may cause side effects.
Other things that may interact with Fluoxetine
Fluoxetine can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbal products you are taking, so tell your doctor about everything you are taking.
| Do not take Fluoxetine with these. | |
|---|---|
| MAOI-type medications (e.g. Parnate, Marplan) | Thioridazine, Pimozide (medicines for mental illness) |
| Linezolid (an antibiotic) | Methylene blue (vaccine) |
| Be very careful if you take Fluoxetine with these. | |
| Alcohol | Painkillers (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen |
| Blood thinners such as Warfarin | Other antidepressants or anxiety medications |
| Some migraine medications (Triptans) | Herbal products such as St. John's Wort |
| Painkillers like Tramadol | Medications that affect heart rate (QT interval prolonging drugs) |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Be patient: It may take 4-6 weeks to see the full results of this medicine. So don't stop taking the medicine after the first week because you don't feel any better. Be patient and continue taking the medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
- Be aware of your thoughts: Be very aware of your thoughts and behaviors, especially when you first start taking the medication or after changing your dosage. If you feel increasingly sad, angry, or have suicidal thoughts, don't try to hide it and tell your doctor or someone you trust right away.
- Dizziness and drowsiness: This medication may cause drowsiness and dizziness in some people. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you feel well.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication and increase side effects. Therefore, it is best to avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
- Dry mouth: If you feel like your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum and drinking small amounts of water may help.
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar levels. So check your blood sugar levels regularly.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Fluoxetine can have side effects, but not everyone gets them.
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Black stools, dark brown/red urine, red/purple spots on the skin. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast, dizziness, chest pain. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Restlessness, muscle stiffness or tremors, excessive sweating, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea. |
| Eye pain/vision changes | Eye pain, blurred vision, seeing rings around lights. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache, nausea | Anxiety, restlessness |
| Insomnia or excessive sleepiness | Change in sexual desire or activity |
| Dry mouth, diarrhea | Excessive sweating |
Take-Home Message
- Fluoxetine is a medication that helps balance your mood and should be taken under the advice of a doctor.
- Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. It can be dangerous.
- It takes several weeks to see the full effects of the medication, so be patient and continue using it as directed.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications and vitamins you are taking.
- Be especially aware of your thoughts and feelings when you first start taking the medication. If you experience any dangerous changes, such as suicidal thoughts, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have any questions, fears, or doubts about this medication, don't keep it to yourself and talk openly with your doctor.
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