Therapeutic Action
Antidepressant, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Source page 147
Loading InternPractice…
Individual generic drug information
Extracted information for FLUOXETINE only.
Antidepressant, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Source page 147
Major depression Generalised anxiety Severe post-traumatic stress disorder
Source page 147
Extracted information for FLUOXETINE only.
Administer with caution and monitor use in patients with epilepsy, diabetes, hepatic impairment (reduce dose or frequency of administration) or severe renal impairment; history of gastrointestinal bleeding, bipolar disorders, suicidal ideation (in young adults) or closed-angle glaucoma. May cause: gastrointestinal disturbances, drowsiness (caution when driving or operating machinery); fatigue, headache, dizziness, seizures, sexual dysfunction, blurred vision, hyponatraemia especially in older patients; mental disorders: anxiety, insomnia, agitation, aggressive behaviour, suicidal ideation in young adults; withdrawal symptoms very frequent if discontinued abruptly: dizziness, paraesthesia, nightmares, anxiety, tremors and headaches. Avoid combination with: aspirin, NSAIDs and warfarin (risk of bleeding); serotonergic drugs: other SSRI, tricyclic antidepressants, ondansetron, tramadol, etc. (risk of serotonin syndrome). Monitor combination with: carbamazepine, phenytoin, risperidone (increased plasma concentrations), drugs which lower the seizure threshold (antipsychotics, mefloquine, etc.). Avoid alcohol during treatment (increased risk of adverse effects). Pregnancy: re-evaluate whether the treatment is still necessary; if it is continued, maintain fluoxetine at effective dose or consider switching to another SSRI if the woman plans to breast- feed. Observe the neonate (risk of agitation, tremors, hypotony, respiratory difficulties, sleeping rd disorders, etc.) if the mother was under treatment in the 3 trimester. If treatment starts during pregnancy, preferably use sertraline. Breast-feeding: avoid; consider switching to sertraline or if not available, paroxetine.
Source pages 147, 148
Extracted information for FLUOXETINE only.
20 mg capsule
Source page 147
Major depression Adult: 20 mg on alternate days for one week, then 20 mg once daily. In case of insufficient response after 3 weeks, increase up to 40 mg daily max. Generalised anxiety, severe post-traumatic stress disorder Adult: 20 mg once daily
Source page 147
Major depression: at least 9 months. Discontinue treatment gradually (e.g. half dose once daily for 2 weeks then on alternate days for 2 weeks). If signs of relapse or withdrawal occur, increase the dose then decrease it more gradually. Generalised anxiety, severe post-traumatic stress disorder: 2 to 3 months after symptoms resolve. Discontinue treatment gradually (over at least 2 weeks).
Source page 147
Extracted information for FLUOXETINE only.
Do not open the capsules. It is necessary to wait at least 2 to 3 weeks before assessing the antidepressant effect. This must be explained to the patient.
Source page 148
– – Below 25 °C
Source page 148
Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.
20 mg on alternate days for one week, then 20 mg once daily. In case of insufficient response after 3 weeks, increase up to 40 mg daily max.
Candidate age grouping · source page 147
20 mg once daily
Candidate age grouping · source page 147