Fluox: Drug Information

Generic name: Fluoxetine

Brand Name: Fluox

Other names: Afzot, Barozac, Dawnex, Depzac, Faxtin, Fludac, Flugen, Flunat, Flunil, Fluron

Drug Class: serotonin Uptake Inhibitor, Antidepressant

Uses of Fluox:

Fluox is an antidepressant belonging to the class of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and is used in the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression, bulimia, narcolepsy, obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and fibromyalgia. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin at the synaptic cleft.

Dosage:

It is recommended to take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking Fluox abruptly as it may worsen your present condition. You can take it with or without food.

Warning and Precautions:

Do not take Fluox if you are hypersensitive to the medication.

Fluox should not be give to patients with severe kidney or liver disorder.

Do not give this medicine to patients taking mono amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Tell your doctor if you have bee diagnosed with or have a history of unstable epilepsy, liver failure, renal impairment, cardiovascular disease or diabetes before taking Fluox.

Safety of this drug has not yet been established in pregnancy. Thus, you must not take it if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Drug Interactions:

Fluox can cause a transient shift in plasma concentration of protein bound drugs such as Warfarin and Digoxin resulting in adverse effects. It can prolong the half life of Diazepam. If Fluox is taken along with mono amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), it can result in a serious reaction. Therefore, it is advised to start Fluox therapy only after 14 days of stopping MAOI therapy. When Fluox is combined with other antidepressants it leads to a two-fold increase in the plasma levels which can be very dangerous.

Side effects of Fluox:

Some of the most common side effects of the medication includenervousness, headache, insomnia, anxiety, tremor, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, increased sweating, diarrhea, seizures, mania, hypomania or mixed manic states, hyponatraemia and the elevation of hepatic enzymes. Fluox can also cause vasculitis in patients with rash leading to lung, kidney and liver failure.