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What are fluoxetine capsules or tablets (Sarafem
®)?FLUOXETINE (Sarafem®) belongs to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluoxetine is marketed as Sarafem® for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe type of premenstrual syndrome. Generic fluoxetine for this purpose are not yet available; although, generic fluoxetine for other purposes are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• diabetes
• heart disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• receiving electroconvulsive therapy
• seizures (convulsions)
• suicidal thoughts
• an unusual or allergic reaction to fluoxetine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take fluoxetine capsules or tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow with a drink of water. You can take fluoxetine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What drug(s) may interact with fluoxetine?
Fluoxetine has the potential to interact with a variety of medications, check with your healthcare professional. The following list contains some of these interactions.
Do not take fluoxetine with any of the following medications:
• astemizole (Hismanal®)
• cisapride (Propulsid®)
• pimozide (Orap®)
• terfenadine (Seldane®)
• thioridazine (Mellaril®)
• medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), selegiline (Eldepryl®)
Fluoxetine may also interact with the following medications:
• alcohol
• amphetamine
• aspirin
• benzodiazepines, commonly used for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or alprazolam
• buspirone
• carbamazepine
• certain diet drugs (dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine, sibutramine)
• certain medicines for migraine headache (almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methysergide)
• cimetidine
• cyproheptadine
• dextroamphetamine
• dextromethorphan
• dofetilide
• ergonovine
• furazolidone
• linezolid
• lithium
• metoprolol
• medicines for diabetes
• medicines for mental depression
• medicines for mental problems or psychotic disturbances
• methylergonovine
• nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, like ibuprofen)
• phenytoin
• propafenone
• propranolol
• St. John's wort
• warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking fluoxetine?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. This medicine should improve your premenstrual cyclical changes in mood. If you get suicidal thoughts, extreme agitation, or inability to sleep or sit still, call your prescriber or health care professional at once.
If you have been taking fluoxetine regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce the dose or your symptoms may get worse. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how fluoxetine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking fluoxetine.
What side effects may I notice from taking fluoxetine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, inability to sleep, irritability, hostility or extreme anger, aggressiveness, engaging in unusual or dangerous activities, restlessness or inability to sit still, fast talking, actions that are out of control, extreme elation or feeling of happiness that may switch back and forth with a depressed or sad mood
• fast or irregular heart rate, palpitations
• difficulty breathing
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• fast or irregular heart rate, palpitations
• flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, cough, muscle or joint aches and pains)
• hallucination, loss of contact with reality
• seizures (convulsions)
• skin rash, itching (hives)
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• blurred vision
• difficulty sleeping
• daytime drowsiness
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• flushing
• headache
• increased sweating
• indigestion
• increased or decreased appetite
• sexual difficulties (decreased sexual desire or ability)
• stuffy nose
• tremor (shaking)
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
