Fluoxetine

About fluoxetine

Fluoxetine is a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is used to treat depression, bulimia nervosa, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Inhibiteurs sélectifs de la recapture de la sérotonine (ISRS) like fluoxetine increase the amount of circulating serotonin available in your brain. Altering the balance of the chemicals in the brain can help improve symptoms of depression, eating disorders like bulimia, and OCD.

Dépression can develop for no apparent reason, or it can be triggered by a life event such as a relationship problem, a bereavement, or an illness. Boulimie is an eating disorder. People with bulimia nervosa have episodes of binge eating which they counteract by making themselves sick. Trouble obsessionnel-compulsif (TOC) is a condition where you have recurring and persistent ideas that make you do repetitive actions.

The most common side effects of fluoxetine are:

• Se sentir mal.

• Être malade (vomissements).

• Diarrhée.

• Indigestion.

• Bouche sèche.

• Headache..

• Feeling more anxious, nervous, or agitated

• Se sentir agité ou tremblant.

• Feeling dizzy, tired or weak.

• Vision floue.

• Problèmes de sommeil.

• Réduction du désir sexuel (libido).

• Bâillements.

• Sueurs.

Vous trouverez une liste complète dans la notice d'information du fabricant fournie avec votre médicament. Les effets indésirables s'améliorent souvent à mesure que votre corps s'adapte au nouveau médicament, mais parlez-en à votre médecin ou pharmacien si l'un des effets suivants persiste ou devient gênant.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes que vous pensez être dus à ce médicament, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien pour obtenir des conseils supplémentaires.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking fluoxetine it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous êtes enceinte, essayez d'avoir un bébé ou allaitez.

• Si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de votre foie.

• Si vous avez une maladie cardiaque.

• Si vous avez de l'épilepsie.

• Si vous avez un taux de sucre dans le sang élevé (diabète sucré).

• Si vous avez un problème oculaire appelé glaucome.

• Si vous avez déjà eu un trouble de la coagulation.

• Si vous avez déjà eu des humeurs anormalement 'élevées', appelées manie.

• Si vous êtes traité par électroconvulsivothérapie (ECT).

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament.

• Si vous avez pris un antidépresseur connu sous le nom d'inhibiteur de la monoamine-oxydase (IMAO) au cours des deux dernières semaines.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médecines complémentaires.

• Read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about fluoxetine and will provide you with a full list of the side effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take fluoxetine exactly as your doctor tells you to - the directions will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you of what your doctor said.

  • As a guide, if you are being treated for depression or OCD, it is usual to be prescribed 20 mg (one capsule or 5 ml liquid medicine) as a once-daily dose. Your dose may later be increased.

  • For people being treated for bulimia, the usual daily dose is 60 mg (three capsules or 15 ml liquid medicine).

• You can take fluoxetine before or after food. If you have been given capsules, swallow them whole with a drink of water - do not chew or open the capsules.

  • If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, let your doctor know, as you could be prescribed liquid medicine or soluble tablets to take instead.

  • Try to take your doses at the same time of day, each day.

• If you have been given soluble (dispersible) tablets, they can be swallowed whole with a drink of water or dissolved in half a glass of water before taking. Do not crush or chew the tablets.

• Si vous oubliez de prendre une dose, prenez-la dès que vous vous en souvenez. Si vous ne vous en souvenez que le lendemain, sautez la dose oubliée. Ne prenez pas deux doses ensemble pour compenser une dose oubliée.

• You may feel that fluoxetine is not working for you straightaway. It can take a week or two after starting this treatment before the effect begins to build up, and 4-6 weeks before you feel the full benefit. Do not stop taking it, even if you feel it is not helping.

• Essayez de respecter vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin. Cela permet à votre médecin de suivre vos progrès.

• While you are taking fluoxetine, you may have thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life. These thoughts may also be associated with your condition. It is very important that you tell your doctor about this if it happens.

• Do not stop taking fluoxetine unless your doctor tells you to do so. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want you to reduce your dose gradually when this becomes necessary.

• Vous devez vous attendre à ce qu'un traitement dure plusieurs mois. C'est normal et cela aide à prévenir la réapparition de vos symptômes.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice. Your doctor is likely to recommend that you do not drink alcohol while you are on fluoxetine.

• If you have diabetes, you may need to check your blood glucose more frequently, as fluoxetine may affect the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will be able to advise you about this.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with fluoxetine. This is because several medicines which are available from general retail outlets can interfere with this treatment.

  • En particulier, ne prenez pas le remède à base de plantes millepertuis, et demandez conseil avant d'acheter des analgésiques anti-inflammatoires.

• A few people taking fluoxetine find that their skin is more sensitive to sunlight than normal. Until you know how your skin reacts, use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF) in strong sunlight.

• There are several types of antidepressants and they differ in their possible side effects. If you find that fluoxetine does not suit you then let your doctor know, as another may be found that will.

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

• The oral liquid medicine usually lasts for one month after first opening. After this time make sure you have a fresh supply.

Can you drink alcohol on fluoxetine?

You should avoid or limit alcohol when taking fluoxetine, as it can worsen side effects and affect mood. However, an occasional small drink is unlikely to cause serious harm.

Is fluoxetine used more for anxiety or depression?

Fluoxetine is used for both depression and some anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Your doctor will decide if it’s suitable based on your symptoms.

Can you overdose on fluoxetine?

Yes, it’s possible to overdose on fluoxetine. Taking more than the prescribed dose can cause serious side effects such as nausea, tremors, rapid heartbeat or, in severe cases, seizures. Seek urgent medical help if you think you or someone else may have taken too much.

Does fluoxetine make you gain weight?

Fluoxetine can affect weight. Some people may notice slight weight gain, others may lose weight, and many experience no change at all. Changes can be linked to appetite, lifestyle, and how the medication affects mood.