You should not use fluoxetine if you also take pimozide or thioridazine, or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection.
Do not use fluoxetine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days (such as isocarboxazid, rasagiline, selegiline, phenelzine, or transcypromine). Do not use fluoxetine with thioridazine, linezolid, pimozide, or methylene blue injection.
You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you take fluoxetine. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before you can take thioridazine or an MAOI.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Fluoxetine could impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Use caution when operating machinery.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to fluoxetine, if you also take pimozide or thioridazine.
Do not use fluoxetine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you take fluoxetine. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before you can take thioridazine or an MAOI.
Tell your doctor about all other antidepressants you take, especially Celexa, Cymbalta, Desyrel, Effexor, Lexapro, Luvox, Oleptro, Paxil, Pexeva, Symbyax, Viibryd, or Zoloft.
To make sure fluoxetine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
cirrhosis of the liver;
urination problems;
diabetes;
narrow-angle glaucoma;
seizures or epilepsy;
bipolar disorder (manic depression);
drug abuse or suicidal thoughts; or
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of fluoxetine.
Ask your doctor about taking fluoxetine if you are pregnant. Taking an SSRI antidepressant during late pregnancy may cause serious medical complications in the baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of fluoxetine on the baby.
If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice agitation, fussiness, feeding problems, or poor weight gain in the nursing baby.
Fluoxetine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take fluoxetine?
Take fluoxetine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
Swallow the delayed-release capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Do not stop using fluoxetine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using fluoxetine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
