Sometimes it's hard to live with the sadness, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that we feel. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe a medication like Fluoxetine to help improve your mental health. So today, let's talk about this medication and the most important things you need to know about using it.
What kind of medicine is Fluoxetine?
Simply put, Fluoxetine is a medication used to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), and some eating disorders.
Our brains contain a chemical called serotonin . This helps regulate our mood, happiness, and sleep. Sometimes, when our serotonin levels drop, we experience depression. Fluoxetine works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, helping to keep our moods in good shape. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) .
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before prescribing Fluoxetine, your doctor will want to know your complete health history. It is especially important to tell them if you or anyone in your family has any of the following conditions:
| Illness or other factors | Things to consider |
|---|---|
| Bipolar Disorder or family history | This medication may sometimes cause manic episodes. |
| Bleeding disorders | This medicine may slightly increase the risk of bleeding. |
| Glaucoma | Eye pressure may be affected. |
| Heart disease, liver disease, thyroid disease | The effectiveness of the drug may change with these medical conditions. |
| Decreased sodium levels in the blood | This medication can further lower sodium levels. |
| Seizures | Status epilepticus may be affected. |
| Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts | This is very important. The doctor should be aware of these thoughts as they may increase when starting the medication. |
| Taking MAOI drugs | Taking these two drugs together can be very dangerous. |
| Taking medications that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin) | The risk of bleeding may increase. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | In these cases, the medication is prescribed with great care. |
| Allergies to fluoxetine or other medications or foods | This is important to avoid allergic reactions. |
How should I use the medicine?
- This is a capsule that you take once a week. Just remember to take this pill on the same day of the week as your doctor tells you. It's a good idea to mark it on a calendar.
- Swallow this capsule whole with a glass of water. Never break, crush, or chew this capsule.
- You can take this before or after meals. It won't cause any problems.
- Most importantly: Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause your symptoms to get worse or cause other complications.
Attention: If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to a hospital Emergency Unit (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Therefore, never share it with others.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you remember that you missed your dose on the day you are supposed to take it, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's already past your due date, take it as soon as you remember and start taking your dose on the next day of the week. Never take two doses at once. There should be exactly one week between each dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Fluoxetine is a medication that can interact with other medications, so it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
Medications that should never be taken together: Taking medications such as MAOI medications (e.g. Carbex, Parnate), Thioridazine, Pimozide, and Linezolid together can cause very serious, even life-threatening, side effects.
In addition, problems may occur with the following:
- Alcohol
- Painkillers (NSAIDs like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
- Other medications that prevent blood clotting (Warfarin)
- Other medications for depression or anxiety
- Some medications for migraines (Triptans)
- Some supplements - e.g. St. John's wort
- Drowsy drugs
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about every medicine, vitamin, herbal remedy, or supplement you take. Also tell him if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Mood changes: Watch for signs of worsening or worsening of your symptoms after starting the medication. In particular, if you have new or severe suicidal thoughts, or if you feel more sad, angry, or anxious than before, see your doctor right away. These are more common early in treatment or when the dosage is changed.
- Drowsiness/Dizziness: You may feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, avoid doing activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful when standing or sitting up suddenly.
- Alcohol: Avoid alcohol completely while taking the medication.
- Dry mouth: Chewing sugar-free gum and sipping water can help with dry mouth.
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar levels. So talk to your doctor for advice.
What side effects can be seen?
Like all medications, this one can have side effects, but not everyone gets them.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Black or tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red/dark brown urine, red/purple spots on the skin. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Anxiety, confusion, excessive sweating, fever, muscle cramps, vomiting, diarrhea. |
| Suicidal thoughts | Thoughts of self-harm and worsening depression. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Restlessness, anxiety | Diarrhea, headache, nausea, dry mouth |
| Insomnia or excessive sleepiness | Excessive sweating, tremors, changes in sexual desire or performance. |
Take-Home Message
- Fluoxetine is a prescription medication used to treat conditions such as depression and anxiety. Do not stop taking it suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all medications you are taking and any medical conditions you have.
- Be aware of any mood changes, especially suicidal thoughts, during the initial stages of taking the medication. If this occurs, tell your doctor immediately.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking the medication. Be careful when performing tasks that require attention, as it may cause drowsiness.
- If you experience any problems or side effects, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. Seek medical advice instead of looking for solutions on the internet.
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