Generic name: fluoxetine [ floo-OX-e-teen ]
Brand names: FLUoxetine (Eqv-PROzac), FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem), PROzac
Drug class: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Apr 22, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem)?

FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) is used to treat:

• major depressive disorder in adults and children aged 8 to 18 years.

• obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults and children aged 7 to 17 years.

• bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) in adults.

• panic disorder in adults.

FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;

• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);

• low blood sodium--headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or

• severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects of FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) may include:

• feeling like you might pass out;

• sleep problems, strange dreams;

• drowsiness;

• tremors or shaking, feeling anxious or nervous;

• weakness, yawning, tiredness;

• upset stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• rash, dry mouth, sweating, hot flashes;

• changes in weight or appetite;

• stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, flu symptoms; or

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

sertraline, trazodone, alprazolam, fluoxetine, quetiapine, Lexapro, venlafaxine

Warnings

You should not use FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) if you also take pimozide or thioridazine.

Do not use FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) 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 (Eqv-Sarafem). You must wait 5 weeks after stopping FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) before you can take thioridazine or an MAOI.

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide..

Before taking this medicine

You should not use FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) if you are allergic to it, if you also take pimozide or thioridazine.

Do not use FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) 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 (Eqv-Sarafem). You must wait 5 weeks after stopping FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) before you can take thioridazine or an MAOI.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• heart problems or stroke;

• high blood pressure;

• bleeding problems;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• bipolar disorder (manic depression);

• low sodium levels in your blood;

• diabetes;

• narrow-angle glaucoma;

• sexual problems;

• drug abuse or suicidal thoughts;

• electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); or

• liver or kidney disease.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) on the baby.

Ask your doctor about taking FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) (Eqv-Sarafem) if you are pregnant. Taking FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) 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.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

How should I take FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem)?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Tell your doctor if you have any changes in sexual function, such as loss of interest in sex, difficulty having an orgasm, or (in men) problems with erections or ejaculation. Some sexual problems can be treated.

Measure liquid medicine with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Do not stop using FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

You may need frequent vision exams.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include seizures, changes in your mental state, fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out), severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, agitation, hallucinations, fever, muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem)?

Avoid drinking alcohol.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) (Eqv-Sarafem) will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

What other drugs will affect FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem)?

FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Using FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem) may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem), especially:

• any other antidepressant;

• St. John's Wort;

• tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);

• a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;

• medicine to treat anxiety, mood disorders, thought disorders, or mental illness--buspirone, desipramine, lithium, and many others;

• medicine to treat ADHD or narcolepsy--such as amphetamines;

• migraine headache medicine--rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others; or

• narcotic pain medicine--fentanyl, tramadol, meperidine, methadone.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect FLUoxetine (Eqv-Sarafem). This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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