What is most important to remember? If you have questions: Strong Internal Medicine • It may take a few weeks for you to see the benefits of taking this Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for medicine more information about fluoxetine (Prozac®). • Do not suddenly stop taking fluoxetine unless directed to do so by your doctor

• Seek help from a doctor or pharmacist if you have thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself

• Contact your prescriber immediately If you experience any itching or rash, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat Strong Internal Medicine • Do not start any new medications, 601 Elmwood Avenue th over-the-counter drugs or herbal Ambulatory Care Facility, 5 Floor Rochester, NY 14642 remedies without talking to your Phone: (585) 275 -7424 doctor Fluoxetine (Prozac®): Visit our website at: Important Patient Information • If you think there has been an www.urmc.rochester.edu/medicine/ - overdose, call your poison control general-medicine/patientcare/ center or get medical care right away

What does fluoxetine (Prozac®) do? What side effects could occur with fluoxetine What are some things that I need to be aware of when

• It is in a class of medications called selective serotonin (Prozac®)? taking fluoxetine (Prozac®)? reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the • Nervous and excitable, not able to sleep • Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to fluoxetine, any other medicines, foods, or substances amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain • Headache that helps maintain mental balance • It may take a few weeks for you to see the benefits of • Upset stomach, diarrhea (loose stools), not hungry, dry • It is used to treat low mood (depression); anxiety; panic mouth taking this medicine. Do not suddenly stop taking attacks; obsessive-compulsive problems; post- fluoxetine unless directed to do so by your doctor • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, or dizzy traumatic stress; and mood problems caused by • Do not take fluoxetine if you have taken other drugs for monthly periods • Change in sex ability or interest in sex depression such as MAOIs (phenelzine, tranyl- How should fluoxetine (Prozac®) be used? What should I do if I forget to take fluoxetine cypromine) or drugs for Parkinson’s disease (selegiline or (Prozac®)? rasagiline) in the last 14 days. Taking those drugs with • Use this medicine as directed by your doctor • Take your dose as soon as you think about it fluoxetine can cause dangerous high blood pressure. If • To gain the most benefit do not miss doses you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist • If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the • This medicine may be taken with or without food. If it missed dose and go back to your normal dose time • Call your doctor right away if you have dizziness, very causes upset stomach, take with food bad headache, agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast • Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses Who should know I am taking fluoxetine (Prozac®)? heartbeat, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, flushing, Are there any interactions with other drugs that I need • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural seizures, shakiness, sweating a lot, change in balance, to worry about? change in thinking clearly with logic, very bad upset products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) and give it to your healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse • There are many drug interactions that may increase stomach and throwing up, or very bad loose stools.

practitioner, pharmacist, or physician assistant) your risk of side effects These are signs of a rare but serious problem called serotonin syndrome. The risk may be greater if you take Do not start new prescription, over-the-counter fluoxetine with certain other medicines. Talk with your medicines, or herbal and dietary supplements doctor or pharmacist • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about the If you have any of the following side effects, call your doctor or visit the emergency room benefits and risks of using this medication immediately: • This medicine may raise your chance of bleeding. Talk • If you are planning to hurt yourself • Trouble breathing with your doctor if you are taking aspirin or blood thinners • Change in thinking clearly • Itching or rash • Fluoxetine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or • Very bad dizziness or passing out • Swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you • Very upset stomach or throwing up • Twitching, agitation, sweating a lot, • Avoid drinking alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) • Very loose stools and muscle stiffness • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You • Any bruising or bleeding • Very excitable and nervous may have more side effects • Big change in balance • A heartbeat that does not feel normal • Store a cool, dry place. Keep out of reach of children and • pets