Taking fluoxetine to treat eating disorders: Tula's story. About fluoxetine. Please note. Always talk to your doctor about your situation and whether this medication is for you. Thinking about trying medication? Read our guide. How fluoxetine works. Fluoxetine is a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI.
Fluoxetine is often prescribed alongside a talking therapy. Fluoxetine and everyday life. Frequently asked questions. How long does it take to start working? Antidepressants like fluoxetine can start to work on depression within the first two weeks of treatment, with the improvements continuing over the following weeks, For anxiety , antidepressants like fluoxetine can take slightly longer to work. What effects will it have on my body?
Your weight can be affected by fluoxetine. It is very difficult to know how this will affect each person who takes it. Talk to your doctor about this if it worries you. Should I tell my family and friends I am taking it? You may want to let your family and friends know you are taking fluoxetine effects.
Will it affect my sleep? Can I drink alcohol and take street drugs while taking it? Alcohol You can continue to drink some alcohol while taking fluoxetine, but it is best to do so in moderation. This could be dangerous if you drive or use machines or do anything that needs a lot of focus. Street drugs Be careful if you are also using street drugs. Cannabis can have unpredictable effects when taken with fluoxetine, so great care is needed. Fluoxetine has been shown to dampen down the 'high' of cocaine.
Can I take it with other medications? Fluoxetine does not mix well with some other medicines and drugs. I have allergies and food intolerances. Is there anything I need to know? Can I drive while taking it? Do not drive or ride a bike just after you start taking fluoxetine. Do not worry - most people drive as normal while taking fluoxetine.
Can I take it if I am pregnant or breastfeeding? Pregnancy If you become pregnant while you are on fluoxetine, you should carry on taking the medicine and go back to your doctor as soon as possible, to see if you should change or stop your medicine.
Post-natal If fluoxetine is taken in the last five months of a pregnancy, it can cause a serious condition called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the new-born PPHN. These could include: being irritable and crying a lot having difficulty sleeping or sucking poor weight gain Breastfeeding Fluoxetine is passed to the baby in breast milk, and side effects have been seen in breastfed babies.
Talk to your doctor or midwife about your feeding options. Will it affect my sex life or fertility? Sex Fluoxetine can have side effects that might affect your sex life. These include: painful erections that last for a long time this is rare but serious - visit a hospital or see your doctor straight away if you experience this side effect , or problems getting an erection getting hard and ejaculating coming bleeding from the vagina difficulty reaching orgasm the same way as before some growth of the breasts and some milk flow, regardless of gender you may have a lower sex drive Fluoxetine has been known to slow growth and delay sexual development puberty in a small number of children and young people.
Fertility Fluoxetine does not seem to affect human fertility. Will it affect my ability to play sports? Fluoxetine is not a banned substance in sport. Do not worry - most people play sports as normal while taking fluoxetine. Will it affect my ability to take exams? Try not to take fluoxetine for the first time just before your exams. Taking fluoxetine may affect your ability to do things that need a lot of focus, like exams. You should talk to your doctor about any future exams if you are starting fluoxetine.
Do not worry - most people do exams as normal while taking fluoxetine. Uses, warnings, safety and side effects. Taking fluoxetine Warnings and safety Side effects Taking fluoxetine How long will I need to take fluoxetine for? Most people take fluoxetine for at least six to 12 months after they start to feel better. You should only take fluoxetine as agreed with your doctor. Fluoxetine is best taken after food. As a result, a medication that once worked well at quelling your sadness, anxiety, and other symptom no longer has that power.
Sometimes, Hullett says, increasing the dose under supervision by your doctor may help. In other cases, trying a different medication or treatment is helpful. Specific warning signs to watch for include feeling agitated or restless, pacing or constant movement, hand wringing, or feeling generally out of control. Thomas says. Options include another depression medication or the addition of counseling, psychotherapy, mood-boosting cardio exercise, or light therapy to your treatment regimen.
The combination of medication and other mood-brightening treatments can speed your recovery and reduce your overall time on antidepressants, she says. If you feel unusually elated or you become very terse with your spouse, feel noticeably more irritable, or have an uncharacteristic bout of road rage, you probably need to change your antidepressant, he advises. You may experience some depressive symptoms when discontinuing antidepressants, but this does not mean the depression is returning.
Unfortunately, some people stay on their antidepressants longer than needed because the symptoms of discontinuing SSRIs can be mistaken for signs of returning depression. Close monitoring by your psychiatrist or doctor is important. Prozac also comes with a black box warning that it may increase the risk of suicide in people younger than 25 years old.
In these individuals, it may lead to suicidal thoughts, or worsening of these types of thoughts. If you belong to this group, your doctor should monitor you, particularly in the early stages, for these serious issues. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Prozac may also activate mania in people who are prone. If you stop taking Prozac all of a sudden, you may notice withdrawal symptoms , including:. For this reason, never stop a medication without consulting your doctor. Prozac should always be tapered off to avoid withdrawal effects. Effexor XR venlafaxine is another antidepressant called a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor SNRI that also may be effective in treating your anxiety.
Finally, benzodiazepines are another class of medication often used for anxiety, but they are generally a short-term solution because of their risk of dependence. Typical medications in this category include:. If you've been prescribed Prozac for anxiety, you may feel worried about side effects and whether the medication will be helpful. Share your concerns with your doctor and stay in contact about how you are doing once you begin the medication. Communication is key to ensuring that this medication is used in an appropriate way for maximum effectiveness.
Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. National Library of Medicine, Toxnet. Fluoxetine Hydrochloride. The antidepressant fluoxetine restores plasticity in the adult visual cortex. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Fluoxetine Prozac. Updated December Cleveland Clinic. Fluoxetine oral solution. Highlights of prescribing information. Discuss with your healthcare provider if you plan to become pregnant or do become pregnant while on Prozac.
Patients who have low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood or have ever undergone electroshock therapy should disclose this to their healthcare provider as well.
Prozac can cause drowsiness, and drinking alcohol can exacerbate this. It can also contribute to angle-closure glaucoma. This is a condition in which fluid is unable to flow out of the eye causing a quick, severe increase in eye pressure which may lead to a loss of vision. If you have eye pain or changes in vision while taking Prozac talk to your healthcare provider immediately.
In rare cases, children, teens and young adults who took Prozac experienced an increase in suicidal thoughts. It is unclear how widespread this side effect is as it was measured in clinical studies. Speak to a healthcare provider about this risk and if taking Prozac for its mood-boosting effects outweighs it.
Once you begin to feel better, you may be tempted to stop taking Prozac. Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider and discuss with them what might be a good time, if any, to wean yourself off your medication.
Prozac is one of the most popularly prescribed antidepressants on the market — and for good reason.
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