What is Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd)? Uses, warnings & side effects

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • PROzac, Sarafem, Sarafem, Sarafem

Generic Names:

  • Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd)

Uses:

  • Treats depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder. This medicine is an SSRI.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antidepressant, Central Nervous System Agent

Forms:

  • Capsule, Delayed Release Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) used for?

Sarafem is a prescription medication used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This medication works to change the chemicals in the brain to improve your mood, open your appetite, and improve your energy level. It also treats depression and works to reduce unwanted thoughts, fear, panic attacks and anxiety. Sarafem may also be used in patients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and helps to reduce the urge to repeat tasks such as hand-washing and counting. Sarafem also reduces premenstrual symptoms such as irritability, increased appetite, and may also reduce binging and purge behaviors in bulimia.

What form(s) does Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) come in?

  • Capsule

  • Delayed Release Capsule

  • Liquid

  • Tablet

What are common Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) dosages?

  • Tablet 10MG

  • Tablet 20MG

Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) images - What does Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) look like?

  • FLUoxetine HCl (PMDD)
    10mg capsule

  • FLUoxetine HCl (PMDD)
    20mg capsule

  • FLUoxetine HCl (PMDD)
    10mg tablet

  • FLUoxetine HCl (PMDD)
    20mg tablet

How to take Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd)

  • Delayed-release capsule: Swallow whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: Every day dose (Prozac® or Sarafem®): If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.Once-a-week dose (Prozac® Weekly„¢): If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. Then go back to your regular schedule the next week. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Take your medicine at the same time each day.

  • You may need to take this medicine for a month or longer before you feel better. If you feel that the medicine is not working well, tell your doctor right away. Do not take more than your normal dose.

  • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Missed dose: Every day dose (Prozac® or Sarafem®): If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.Once-a-week dose (Prozac® Weekly„¢): If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. Then go back to your regular schedule the next week. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Take your medicine at the same time each day.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Delayed-release capsule: Swallow whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • You may need to take this medicine for a month or longer before you feel better. If you feel that the medicine is not working well, tell your doctor right away. Do not take more than your normal dose.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

What to do if you miss a dose of Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd)

Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) contraindications - Who shouldn't take Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd)?

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to fluoxetine.

Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of seizures. Tell your doctor if you have had heart disease, a heart rhythm problem (such as QT prolongation), heart attack, heart failure, low blood pressure, or a stroke.

  • For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Serotonin syndrome (may be life-threatening when used with certain other medicines)Higher risk of bleedingLow sodium levels in the bloodHeart rhythm changes

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Seizures

  • Skin rash, blisters, peeling, or redness

  • Trouble breathing

  • Unusual behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) interactions & what to avoid when taking Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd)

  • Do not use this medicine together with pimozide or thioridazine. Do not use this medicine within 14 days of using an MAO inhibitor, and do not start an MAOI for at least 5 weeks after you stop using fluoxetine.

  • Some medicines can affect how fluoxetine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Buspirone, carbamazepine, dolasetron, erythromycin, fentanyl, gatifloxacin, lithium, mefloquine, methadone, moxifloxacin, pentamidine, phenytoin, probucol, St John's wort, tacrolimus, tramadol, tryptophan supplement, or vinblastineAmphetaminesBlood thinner (including warfarin)Diuretic (water pill)Medicine for heart rhythm problemMedicine to treat mental illness (including chlorpromazine, droperidol, iloperidone, ziprasidone)NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)Phenothiazine medicineTriptan medicine to treat migraine headache

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) side effects - How does Fluoxetine Hcl (Pmdd) make you feel?

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there

  • Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching

  • Eye pain, trouble seeing, blurry vision

  • Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, dizziness

  • Seizures

  • Unusual behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others, feeling more excited or energetic than usual, trouble sleeping

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

  • Skin rash, blisters, peeling, or redness

  • Trouble breathing

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Diarrhea, changes in appetite, weight gain or loss

  • Sexual problems

  • Dry mouth

  • Unusual dreams

  • Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness, unusual dreams

Subscribe to our savings newsletter

Health education, drug info, wellness & more

By clicking 'Subscribe', I agree to SingleCare's Terms & Conditions.