How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient fluoxetine hydrochloride, which is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI). This type of medicine acts on nerve cells in the brain. In the brain there are numerous different chemical compounds called neurotransmitters. These act as chemical messengers between the nerve cells. Serotonin is one such neurotransmitter and has various functions that we know of. When serotonin is released from nerve cells in the brain it acts to lighten mood. When it is reabsorbed into the nerve cells, it no longer has an effect on mood. It is thought that when depression occurs, there may be a decreased amount of serotonin released from nerve cells in the brain. SSRIs work by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells in the brain. This helps prolong the mood lightening effect of any released serotonin. In this way, fluoxetine helps relieve depression. Fluoxetine may also be used in the treatment of bulimia nervosa, obsessive compulsive disorder and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder. It is not fully understood how fluoxetine works in these illnesses. It must be taken for at least 14 days before the benefits of treatment begin to appear and you start to feel better.

What is it used for?

A psychiatric disorder in which tasks are excessively repeated (obsessive-compulsive disorder)

Bulimia nervosa

Depression

Severe pre-menstrual symptoms which impact on normal activities (pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder)

Warning!

This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

This medicine may cause low blood sodium levels (hyponatraemia), which can result in drowsiness, confusion, muscle twitching or convulsions. Consult your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms while taking this medicine.

There is insufficient information regarding the safety and efficacy of this medicine in children. It is not recommended for children.

In people with diabetes, treatment with an SSRI antidepressant may alter control of blood sugar, possibly due to an improvement in depressive symptoms. Your dose of insulin or antidiabetic medicine may need to be altered. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

If you experience seizures (convulsions or fits) while taking this medicine, consult your doctor immediately, as you will need to stop treatment with this medicine. This also applies if you suffer from epilepsy and experience more seizures than normal after starting this medicine.

Consult your doctor if you develop a skin rash or other unexplained allergic reaction while taking this medicine.

You should avoid suddenly stopping this medicine, as sudden withdrawal of SSRIs may result in headache, nausea, pins and needles, dizziness and anxiety. This is rare with fluoxetine because its blood level decreases gradually naturally after you stop taking it, however you should follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist when it is time to stop treatment.

Use with caution in

Decreased liver function

Diabetes

Epilepsy

Heart disease

History of bleeding disorders

History of mania or hypomania

History of seizures

People also receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Not to be used in

Manic phase of manic depression

People who have taken monoamine-oxidase inhibitor antidepressants (MAOIs) in the last 14 days

Uncontrolled epilepsy

Uncontrolled seizure disorders eg due to brain injury

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk, however the effect of this on the nursing infant is unknown. For this reason women who need to take this medicine should consider not breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Dry mouth

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Fatigue

Sweating

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Visual disturbances

Dizziness

Seizures

Hair loss (alopecia)

Sexual problems

Decreased appetite and weight loss

Anxiety and agitation

Small purplish blood spots in the skin (ecchymoses)

Pain in the muscles and joints

Allergic reactions such as itchy, blistering skin rash (urticaria) or swelling of the lips, tongue and throat (angioedema)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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