Important warnings

This drug has boxed warnings. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

• Fluoxetine can increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior. This risk is especially high in children, adolescents, and young adults. The risk is higher during the first few months of treatment with this drug. You’re also at higher risk if you have a personal or family history of bipolar illness or suicidal thoughts or actions. Your doctor and family should watch you closely when you start taking this drug and during dosage changes. They should watch for changes in your behavior or signs of worsening depression. Fluoxetine is not approved for use in children under 7 years of age

Other warnings

• Serotonin syndrome warning: This drug can cause a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This syndrome happens when medications cause too much serotonin to build up in your body. Symptoms can include agitation, hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that isn’t there), problems with coordination, and a racing heart rate. They can also include overactive reflexes, fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of this condition.

• Mania warning: This drug may cause mania or hypomania. Symptoms include greatly increased energy, extreme irritability, talking more or faster than usual, racing thoughts, or severe trouble sleeping. If you have a history of mania or bipolar disorder, talk to your doctor before using this drug.

• Low salt levels warning: This drug may cause you to have dangerously low salt levels in your blood. Symptoms include headache, weakness, confusion, trouble concentrating, memory problems, and feeling unsteady. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of this condition.

What is fluoxetine?

Fluoxetine is a prescription drug. It comes as a capsule, delayed-release capsule, tablet, and solution. All forms are taken by mouth. (A delayed-release capsule is released into your body more slowly.)

Fluoxetine oral capsule is available as the brand-name drug Prozac. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name versions. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as brand-name drugs.

Fluoxetine oral capsule may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. For the treatment of depressive episodes related to bipolar I disorder and treatment-resistant depression, this drug must be used with olanzapine.

Why it’s used

Fluoxetine oral capsule is used to treat the following conditions:

• Depression. This includes major depression.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder. This condition causes bothersome thoughts that won’t go away (obsessions) and the need to do certain actions over and over (compulsions).

• Bulimia nervosa. This condition is an eating disorder marked by binge eating followed by extreme behaviors to avoid gaining weight (purging, fasting, or excessive exercise).

• Panic attacks. These are sudden episodes of extreme fear and worry even though no threat exists.

How it works

Fluoxetine oral capsule belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Fluoxetine side effects

Fluoxetine oral capsule doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of fluoxetine can include:

• strange dreams

• decreased sex drive and trouble having an orgasm

• decreased appetite

• anxiety and nervousness

• weakness

• diarrhea

• dry mouth

• indigestion

• flu

• erectile dysfunction (trouble getting or keeping an erection)

• trouble sleeping

• nausea

• sore throat

• rash

• watery nasal discharge

• sleepiness

• sweating and hot flashes

• tremors (uncontrollable rhythmic movement in one part of your body)

• yawning

• If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include:

  • agitation (feeling aggravated or restless)

  • hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that isn’t there)

  • problems with coordination

  • racing heart rate

  • overactive reflexes

  • fever

  • nausea

  • vomiting

  • diarrhea

• Abnormal bleeding. Symptoms can include:

  • bruising or bleeding more easily than normal

• Mania. Symptoms can include:

  • greatly increased energy

  • severe trouble sleeping

  • racing thoughts

  • reckless behavior

  • unusually grand ideas

  • excessive happiness or irritability

  • talking more or faster than normal

• Seizures

• Low salt levels in your blood. Symptoms can include:

  • headache

  • weakness

  • confusion

  • trouble concentrating

  • memory problems

  • feeling unsteady

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Fluoxetine oral capsule can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.