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healthsense Fluoxetine

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Generic Name: Fluoxetine hydrochloride
Product Name: healthsense Fluoxetine

Indication

Fluoxetine belongs to a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat major depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Action

This medicine contains the active ingredient fluoxetine hydrochloride, which is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs act on nerve cells in the brain. In the brain there are numerous different chemical compounds called neurotransmitters, which act as chemical messengers between the nerve cells. Serotonin is one of these neurotransmitters.
When serotonin is released from nerve cells in the brain it acts to lighten mood. When it is reabsorbed into the nerve cells, it no longer has an effect on mood. It is thought that when depression occurs, there may be a decreased amount of serotonin released from nerve cells in the brain.
Therefore SSRIs work by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells in the brain. This helps prolong the mood lightening effect of any released serotonin. Hence, fluoxetine acts to relieve depression.

Dose advice

Depression:
-The usual recommended initial dose is 20mg/day, administered in the morning
-If no improvement after several weeks, a dose increase may be considered
-Doses above 20mg/day should be administered twice daily (morning and noon) and should not exceed a maximum dose of 80mg/day
-The antidepressant effect may be delayed until four weeks of treatment or longer
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:
-20mg/day administered in the morning is recommended as the initial dose
-If no improvement after several weeks, a dose increase may be considered
-The full therapeutic effect may be delayed for five weeks of treatment or longer
-Doses above 20mg/day should be administered on a once daily (morning) or twice daily (morning and noon) schedule
-A dose range of 20 to 60mg/day is recommended
-Maximum fluoxetine dose should not exceed 80mg/day
Patients with impaired liver or kidney function:
A lower or less frequent dose of fluoxetine than described above is recommended and will be taken into account by your treating doctor

Schedule

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Common side effects

-Weakness, chills, allergic reactions
-Diarrhoea, nausea
-Headache
-Loss of appetite and weight loss
-Twitching
-Anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, nervousness, tremor
-Yawning
-Rash, sweating

Uncommon side effects

-Increased sensitivity to the sun
-Palpitations (fluttering) of the heart
-Lightheadedness when getting up from sitting or lying
-Gastrointestinal discomfort, dry mouth, vomiting
-Abnormal dreams, decreased sexual interest, abnormal thoughts
-Loss of hair
-Dilated pupils
-Abnormal ejaculation, impotence, urinary frequency, inability to reach orgasm, breast pain


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For further information talk to your doctor.


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Dates

Posted On: 22 July, 2003
Modified On: 1 January, 1970


Created by: myVMC