Fluox

Fluox (Fluoxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) used to treat depression and the anxiety associated with depression, in adults. It is also used to treat bulimia nervosa (eating disorder) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In some cases it is used to treat pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

The usual daily dose for adults is:

• 20mg to treat depression
• 60mg to treat bulimia nervosa
• 20mg to 60mg to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder
• 20mg continuously throughout the menstrual cycle for premenstrual dysphoric disorder

The maximum daily dose is 80mg.

Follow all instructions given by your doctor. They may need to change your dosage depending on your response.

Fluox is an dispersible tablet. Tablets can either be swallowed with a glass of water or dispersed in water. To disperse the tablets, place the tablet in half a glass of water, swirl until tablet disperses, then drink immediately.

Sometimes Fluox can cause unwanted side effects. Most times these are mild and will decrease over time. However some side effects are more serious and will need you to talk with your doctor.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice any of the following side effects and they worry you:

• stomach or bowel problems (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion)
• drowsiness or weakness
• shakiness
• trouble sleeping, unusual dreams
• tiredness
• changes in your sex drive or sexual functions
• loss of appetite or weight loss
• weight gain
• changes in taste
• ringing in the ears
• dry mouth
• nervousness
• anxiety
• increased perspiration or sweating, flushing
• headache
• dizziness, light-headedness
• yawning
• impaired concentration or thought processes
• memory impairment
• abnormal vision
• palpitations
• breast enlargement
• clitoris enlargement
• unusual secretion of breast milk
• breast pain
• changes in frequency of urination
• changes in amount of urine
• excessive teeth grinding
• unusual hair loss
• skin sensitivity after sun exposure
• lesions of skin and mucous membrane
• fever and joint aches
• sexual problems
• changes in vision

tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you develop any of the following side effects:

• rash, itching or hives
• swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
• shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
• a serious reaction with a sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions
• fast, irregular heartbeat
• enlarged lymph nodes
• chills
• any signs of unusual bleeding
• more easily bruising
• difficulties with swallowing
• pain in the throat
• blood in the stools or black, tarry bowel motions uncontrollable twitching or jerking movements, muscle spasms, tremors
• involuntary eye movement
• clumsiness and lack of coordination, affecting balance and manner of walking, limb or eye movements and/or speech
• seizures
• sudden mood changes to one of overactivity and uninhibited behaviour
• sudden fever
• thoughts or talk of death or suicide
• thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others
• any recent attempts at selfharm
• distressing restlessness
• overactive reflexes
• extreme agitation, confusion, aggression
• yellowing of the skin and eyes
• dark coloured urine
• hallucinations

Do not take Fluox (Fluoxetine) if you are taking a monoamine oxidas inhibitor (MAOI) or have been taking a MAOI within the last 14 days, or if you are taking any other medicines that effect the levels of seretonin in the brain.

Before taking Fluox, tell your doctor if you have suffered any of the following:

• allergic reaction to any medicines
• kidney or liver disease
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• fits
• any heart conditions
• a bleeding disorder or a tendency to bleed more than usual
• electrical shock treatment
• major depressive episodes

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Tell your doctor all medicines and supplements you are currently taking. Some of these may interfere with Fluox.

If you are having any blood tests or surgery while taking Fluox, make sure the doctor is aware of this.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following, especially if they were have appeared or worsened since you started taking Fluox:

• anxiety
• agitation
• panic attacks
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• irritability
• hostility (aggressiveness)
• impulsivity
• restlessness or difficulty sitting still
• hypomania, mania (mood of excitement, over-activity and uninhibited behaviour)
• worsening of depression
• thoughts or talk of death or suicide
• thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others
• any recent attempts at selfharm
• increase in aggressive behaviour, irritability or any other unusual changes in behaviour or mood