Prozac (Fluoxetine Hcl) Patient Information: Missed a Dose and What Should I Avoid at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Antidepressants are a class of drugs that reduce symptoms of depressive disorders by correcting chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain. Chemical imbalances may be responsible for changes in mood and behavior.

Neurotransmitters are vital, as they are the communication link between nerve cells in the brain. Neurotransmitters reside within vesicles found in nerve cells, which are released by one nerve and taken up by other nerves. Neurotransmitters not taken up by other nerves are taken up by the same nerves that released them. This process is called "reuptake." The prevalent neurotransmitters in the brain specific to depression are serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline).

In general, antidepressants work by inhibiting the reuptake of specific neurotransmitters, hence increasing their levels around the nerves within the brain, such...

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Prozac Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (Prozac)?

Take the 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 extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you miss a dose of Prozac Weekly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember and take the next dose 7 days later. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled weekly dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Prozac)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication. Overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, fever, sleepiness, rapid or uneven heartbeat, confusion, fainting, seizures, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking fluoxetine (Prozac)?

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of fluoxetine.

Fluoxetine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What other drugs will affect fluoxetine (Prozac)?

Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with fluoxetine may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by fluoxetine.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you are using, especially:

alprazolam (Xanax);
clopidogrel (Plavix);
clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo);
flecainide (Tambocor);
haloperidol (Haldol);
seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol);
tryptophan (also called L-tryptophan);
vinblastine (Velban);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or
any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), escitalopram (Lexapro), imipramine (Tofranil), sertraline (Zoloft), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with fluoxetine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluoxetine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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