Fluoxetine 20 mg capsules
What Fluoxetine is used for :
- Fluoxetine is used to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa (eating disorder), panic disorder and depression associated with dipolar disorder.
 
Do not take Fluoxetine :
- If you’re allergic to the active substances or any other component of this medicine.
 - If you took within the past 2 weeks a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
 - If you are taking the medicines Pimozide or Thioridazine.
 
Warnings and precautions :
Talk to your doctor about all your medical conditions before taking this medicine including:
 
- If you have liver or kidney problems.
 - If you have heart problems including QT interval prolongation.
 - If you have or had seizures or convulsions.
 - If you have bipolar disorder or mania.
 - If you have a history of a stroke.
 - If you have high blood pressure.
 - If you have or had bleeding problems.
 - If you have eye problems.
 - If you have abnormal levels of electrolytes in your blood (such as low sodium).
 - This medicine may cause suicidal thoughts or actions, especially in young patients, in the first few months of treatment.
 -  Call your doctor if you experience such symptoms. 
 - Do not stop taking this medicine all of a sudden. 
 - You might experience side effects. Talk to your doctor on how to discontinue Fluoxetine. 
 
Possible side effects :
- Stop using this product and seek immediate medical help if you develop rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
 
Serious side effects:
- Suicidal thoughts or actions, especially at the beginning
 - Serotonin syndrome: this condition may be life threatening, symptoms include agitation, hallucination, tremor, sweating, fever, dizziness and seizures
 
 
Allergic reactions :
- Seizures and convulsions
 - Heart problems: irregular heartbeat 
 - Low sodium levels in the blood
 - Abnormal bleeding including gastric bleeding
 - Diarrhea
 - Insomnia 
 - Impotence
 
 
Other medicines and Fluoxetine :
- Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.
 - Do not take MAOIs within 5 weeks of stopping Fluoxetine and do not start Fluoxetine within 2 weeks of stopping MAOIs.
 - Do not take Thioridazine while or within 5 weeks of taking Fluoxetine.
 - Do not take Pimozide while taking Fluoxetine.
 
Other interactions include: 
- Linezolid, Triptans, medicines for anxiety and depression, Tramadol, Amphetamines, blood thinners, Phenytoin, and ETC treatment.
 
How to take Fluoxetine   :
- This medicine is intended for adults over 18 years of age.
 - Your doctor might prescribe it to children aged 8 years and older if necessary.
 - Take as indicated by your doctor.
 - For depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, the usual starting dose is 20 mg once daily.
 - For bulimia nervosa, the recommended dose is 60 mg once daily.
 - In children aged 8 years and older the initial dose is 10 – 20 mg once daily.
 
How to store Fluoxetine  :
- Store at room temperature 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C).
 - Protect from light.
 - Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
 - Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the package. 
 - The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.