Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine HCL is an anti-depressant drug, which has the ability to inhibit the neuronal reuptake of Serotonin chemical. The drug corrects the chemical imbalance in the brain and helps reduce fear, anxiety and depression.

FLUOXETINE SIDE EFFECTS
Following side effects were reported by Fluoxetine consumers: -

» Sexual side-effects: delayed or non-existent ejaculation, hyper-sexuality
» Nausea or yucky feeling
» Dizziness
» Agitation
» Vivid nightmares/dreams
» Sleeplessness
» Urinary retention
» Anorexia
» Anxiety
» Tinnitus
» Restless legs
» Jaw tension
» Tremor
» Palpitations
» Tachycardia
» Thrombocytopenia
» Dry mouth
» Scalp muscle tension
» Confusion and psychosis

FLUOXETINE PRECAUTIONS
During Fluoxetine medication please ensure that you take the necessary precaution to avoid any casualty. The drug should not be taken with other medication at the same time. You need the full consent of your doctor to take Fluoxetine - if you are using some other drugs like MAO inhibitors or other anti-depressants.

Moreover avoid alcohol and tobacco consumption during the medication. Avoid doing concentrating work like driving and using machinery right after you have taken a dose. Fluoxetine has the tendency to make you dizzy.

Moreover people with the medical history of heart or liver disease should be extra-cautious during medication. Make sure that your doctor knows all about it.

FLUOXETINE DRUG INTERACTION
Combined use of Fluoxetine and MAO inhibitors is contraindicated.

There have been greater than two-fold increases of previously stable plasma levels of other antidepressants when Fluoxetine has been administered in combination with these agents. There have been reports of both increased and decreased lithium levels when lithium was used concomitantly with Fluoxetine. Cases of lithium toxicity have been reported. Lithium levels should be monitored when these drugs are administered concomitantly. Five patients receiving Fluoxetine in combination with Tryptophan experienced adverse reactions, including agitation, restlessness and gastrointestinal distress. The half-life of concurrently administered diazepam may be prolonged in some patients. Experience with the use of Fluoxetine in combination with other CNS-active drugs is limited and caution is advised if such concomitant medication is required.

FLUOXETINE OVERDOSE
Fluoxetine overdose can be fatal if not attended properly. When the patient is in unconscious condition with nauseate feeling or showing signs of agitation, restlessness etc. - chances are that this is the case of drug overdose.

Such patients need immediate medical attention. Call up the local poison control center or the emergency room. Establish an airway and ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Activated charcoal, which may be used with sorbitol, may be as or more effective than emesis or lavage, and should be considered in treating overdose.

For doctors Cardiac and vital signs monitoring is recommended, along with general symptomatic and supportive measures. Based on experience in animals, which may not be relevant to humans, Fluoxetine-induced seizures which fail to remit spontaneously may respond to diazepam.

There are no specific antidotes for Fluoxetine so the case should be taken under immediate attention.

FLUOXETINE STORAGE
Keep Fluoxetine under normal room temperature between 15-25 degrees centigrade. Keep the medicine away from the direct impact of heat, light, dust and moisture. These could spoil the effectiveness of the medicine. The medicine needs to be kept in a drawer or a cupboard.

Moreover keep Fluoxetine away from the reach of the children. Do not store the medicine in bathroom.