Overview Of Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine is a prescription medication primarily used to treat depression. It belongs to a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The medication is taken orally on a daily basis, and it comes in tablet and liquid formulations. Doses range from ten to ninety milligrams. Patients who take fluoxetine could develop side effects such as nausea, sore throat, flu-like symptoms, indigestion, sleep disturbances, sweating, and diarrhea. Doctors will closely monitor patients during treatment with this medication, and patients should report any mood changes or abnormal bleeding to their prescribing physician immediately. Patients might be asked to attend counseling sessions as part of their overall treatment plan.

The uses, side effects, precautions, and potential medication interactions associated with fluoxetine are outlined below.

How It Works

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, and it is generally associated with a sense of calm and relaxation. As a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine works by helping the body use serotonin more effectively. While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors don't increase the amount of serotonin the body makes, they do prevent the blood from absorbing some of the brain's serotonin. This means a larger percentage of the body's serotonin can remain in the brain, and higher levels of serotonin are believed to reduce or alleviate the symptoms of depression. Along with fluoxetine, other types of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors include paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, vilazodone, and escitalopram.

Get the details on the uses and benefits of fluoxetine next.

Fluoxetine Uses And Benefits

Fluoxetine is commonly prescribed to treat depression. Doctors may consider it in the treatment of major depression, depression associated with bipolar disorder, and depression that has not responded to other treatments. This medication is also used to treat panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia nervosa. It may be recommended as a treatment for mood swings, irritability, and sadness that can occur as a result of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

In addition to these uses, doctors might consider prescribing fluoxetine for off-label uses to help certain patients. For example, fluoxetine may be offered to individuals coping with fibromyalgia, anorexia, social anxiety disorder, personality disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder. It can be beneficial for patients with autism spectrum disorder, and it is sometimes recommended for individuals with obesity, hot flashes, or orthostatic hypotension. It may be helpful for patients who have Tourette's syndrome and for individuals dealing with an alcohol use issue.

Reveal the side effects of fluoxetine next.

Potential Side Effects

The most frequently reported potential side effects of fluoxetine include weakness, dry mouth, decreased appetite, sore throat, indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea. Patients have also reported yawning, sleepiness, sweating, hot flashes, and watery discharge from the nose. Some individuals who use fluoxetine might notice tremors, nervousness, or strange dreams. Although less common, some patients could develop more serious side effects. For example, the medication could cause low sodium in the blood, and this might lead to symptoms such as unsteadiness, memory problems, confusion, and headaches. Patients may experience symptoms of mania, including racing thoughts, reckless behavior, talking faster than usual, and significantly increased energy. Serotonin syndrome is a rare, potentially life-threatening side effect that could occur with fluoxetine. Symptoms of the syndrome include fever, overactive reflexes, rapid heart rate, vomiting, and hallucinations. If potential signs of serotonin syndrome are present, patients should seek emergency medical care. It is important to let the prescribing physician know as soon as possible about any side effects that occur with fluoxetine use, particularly if they are persistent or bothersome. It may be possible to adjust the patient's dose to reduce some of the side effects, and patients could also ask about being switched to another medication.

Discover the precautions to remember in association with fluoxetine next.

Precautions To Remember

Fluoxetine can cause suicidal thoughts or actions in some patients, and these are particularly likely to occur in the first few months of using the medicine. Patients should have their mood and mental health monitored at regular follow-up appointments during their fluoxetine treatment, and many are asked to participate in psychotherapy as part of their treatment plan. Seniors may have a higher risk of experiencing side effects with fluoxetine, and physicians might choose to prescribe a lower dose for patients in this age group. Individuals with diabetes may need to monitor their blood glucose levels more frequently while taking fluoxetine. The medication has been shown to cause low blood glucose, and patients could see increases in their blood glucose readings once they discontinue fluoxetine. Patients with liver disease may need to take fluoxetine at a lower dose than other individuals. Liver damage can make it more difficult for the body to process fluoxetine, and patients with liver issues may be at a higher risk of fluoxetine side effects. This medication is not recommended for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Before prescribing fluoxetine, doctors will need to know if the patient has ever received electroconvulsive therapy or if they have any history of epilepsy, seizures, bipolar disorder, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, substance use issues, or narrow-angle glaucoma. Fluoxetine may not be safe for individuals with these conditions, or it may need to be used with caution. This medication should be stored at room temperature, and it needs to be kept away from moisture and heat. Due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms, fluoxetine must be discontinued gradually. Patients who wish to stop taking the medicine should speak with their doctor about an appropriate tapering schedule.

Learn about potential medication interactions with fluoxetine next.

Potential Medication Interactions

Fluoxetine should not be taken with pimozide, thioridazine, linezolid, or methylene blue injections. Patients who have used phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, or other monoamine oxidase inhibitors will need to wait to start fluoxetine until at least two weeks after discontinuing these medications. Individuals who take fluoxetine must wait at least five weeks after the drug is discontinued before they can safely take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Using fluoxetine with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories could cause an increased risk of bleeding, and patients who take fluoxetine should check with their doctor before using acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, naproxen, or any other anti-inflammatory medicine. Patients who take lithium and fluoxetine will need regular blood tests to check their lithium levels. Additionally, taking fluoxetine with risperidone, methadone, or aripiprazole could increase the patient's risk of experiencing heart rhythm changes, involuntary muscle movements, and serotonin syndrome. To reduce the risk of potential medication interactions, patients should let their doctor know about all of their current medications before adding fluoxetine.