Fluoxetine is a Treatment for Depression Bulimia and Severe Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome.

Fluoxetine A Fluoxetine prescription is most commonly used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, panic disorder, and bulimia (binge eating and purging). Fluoxetine is also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), symptoms of which occur in the week or two before a woman's menstrual period and commonly include irritability, mood swings, and tension as well as the physical symptoms of bloating and breast tenderness. Fluoxetine may also be used for purposes other than those here.

Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine® (generic for Prozac®) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) and severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMDD). This medication works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain. Fluoxetine (Prozac) is one of the world's most widely prescribed antidepressants; it has been prescribed for more than 40 million people worldwide. Chances are, someone you know is getting better because of it.

Uses
Fluoxetine is used to treat depression, bulimia (an eating disorder), obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), and severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder-PMDD). This medication works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain.

Other Uses
Fluoxetine also is used occasionally to treat alcoholism, some eating disorders, attention-deficit disorders, borderline personality disorders, sleep disorders, headaches, premenstrual syndrome, irregular heartbeat, schizophrenia, Tourette's syndrome, anxiety, and phobias. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

Take fluoxetine exactly as directed by your doctor. Take each dose with water. Fluoxetine may be taken with or without food. Try to take fluoxetine at the same time each day. Take Prozac Weekly on the same day each week as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks before you to start feeling better. Your doctor may want to perform tests or schedule appointments to monitor your treatment with fluoxetine.

Stop taking fluoxetine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment if your experience any of the following: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); an irregular heartbeat or pulse; low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); chills or fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; a rash or hives. If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking fluoxetine and talk to your doctor: headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; difficulty concentrating; nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Fluoxetine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness while taking fluoxetine.

Do not take fluoxetine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take fluoxetine if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Before taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease; have kidney disease; have diabetes; suffer from seizures; or suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts. Do not take fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant, could become pregnant, or are breast-feeding during treatment.

Take any missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Store it at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

Fluoxetine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether fluoxetine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Fluoxetine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.

DEPRESSION RESOURCES

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, www.ndmda.org. Depression and bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) are both highly treatable medical illnesses. Unfortunately many people do not get the help they need because misunderstanding the issues surrounding the illnesses or the fear associated with stigma.

American Psychiatric Association, www.psych.org. Everyone feels “blue” at certain times during his or her life. In fact, transitory feelings of sadness or discouragement are perfectly normal, especially during particularly difficult times. But a person who cannot “snap out of it” or get over these feelings within two weeks may be suffering from the illness called depression. Depression is one of the most common and
treatable of all mental illnesses. In any six-month period, 9.4 million Americans suffer
from this disease. One in four women and one in 10 men can expect to develop it during
their lifetime. Eighty to 90 percent of those who suffer from depression can be effectively
treated, and nearly all people who receive treatment derive some benefit.

National Institute of Mental Health, www.nimh.nih.gov. Depressive disorders affect approximately 19 million American adults. The suffering endured by people with depression and the lives lost to suicide attest to the great burden of this disorder on individuals, families, and society. Improved recognition, treatment, and prevention of depression are critical public health priorities. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the world’s leading mental health biomedical organization, conducts and supports research on the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of depression

Freedom From Fear, www.freedomfromfear.com. Anxiety and Depressive disorders are the most common of all mental illnesses. Anxiety disorders alone affect more than 19 million American's each year. Both anxiety and depressive illnesses are severe, chronic and extremely impairing to the individuals who are affected by them. Furthermore, they can have a devastating effect on the family members of those suffering from anxiety and depression. Screen yourself for anxiety or depression.