What is Prozac: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Prozac

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. 

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Please read it before starting Prozac.

• You may need to take this medicine for a month or longer before you feel better. 

  • If the medicine does not seem to be helping, tell your doctor right away. 

  • Do not take larger doses if the medicine doesn’t seem to be working.

• Take Prozac capsules at the same time each day.

  • Prozac is usually taken in the morning. 

  • When combined with olanzapine, doses should be taken in the evening.

• Prozac can be taken with or without food

• Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water.

• Store Prozac in a tightly closed container at room temperature away from light.

What to do if you miss a dose of Prozac

• If you miss a dose of Prozac, take it as soon as you can.

• If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose on schedule. 

• Do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose.

Prozac contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to fluoxetine.

Prozac warnings

• Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

• Your doctor may need to perform lab tests regularly to monitor your progress and the effects of the medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Tell your doctor if you have:

  • Kidney disease

  • Liver disease

  • Bleeding problems

  • High blood pressure

  • Glaucoma

  • Diabetes

  • Heart disease

  • Heart failure

  • A history of heart attacks

  • A heart rhythm problem

  • A history of stroke

  • A history of seizures

  • A history or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, hypomania, other mental health disorders, or suicide attempts.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Tell your doctor if you are being treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

• This medicine may cause the following problems:

  • Serotonin syndrome 

  • Manic or hypomanic episodes

  • Heart rhythm changes

  • Bleeding problems

  • Vision problems

  • Seizures

  • Low sodium levels in the blood

  • Changes in appetite or weight

• For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It may worsen depression or emotional problems. Talk with your doctor right away if you notice any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. 

• 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.

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

Prozac interactions

• To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before taking Prozac.

• Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

• If you are using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI), do not start taking Prozac until you’ve stopped taking the MAO inhibitor for at least 14 days. Do not start an MAO inhibitor until you’ve stopped taking fluoxetine for 5 weeks.

• Never take Prozac with the antipsychotic medications pimozide or thioridazine.

• Some Prozac drug interactions can alter the effectiveness or side effects of Prozac or the other drugs being taken. Before starting Prozac, make sure the doctor knows if you’re taking:

  • Other antidepressants

  • Drugs that treat other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, mood problems, psychosis, or thought disorders

  • Amphetamines

  • Drugs that treat heart rhythm abnormalities

  • Drugs that make you pee (diuretics)

  • Blood thinners

  • Migraine treatments called triptans

  • NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen

  • The narcotic painkillers such as tramadol

  • The anti-seizure drugs carbamazepine or phenytoin

  • The antibiotics erythromycin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, or sparfloxacin

  • The malaria drugs mefloquine or halofantrine

  • Phenothiazine drugs

  • Dolasetron, tacrolimus, probucol, or pentamidine

  • St. John’s wort or tryptophan supplements

• Tell your doctor if you use any other drug that causes sleepiness, such as opioids, antihistamines, or muscle relaxants.

• Do not drink alcohol when taking Prozac.

Find more detailed information about fluoxetine interactions to avoid here.