fluoxetine  GENERIC NAME: fluoxetine BRAND NAME: Prozac DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Fluoxetine is in a new class of antidepressant medications that affects chemical messengers within the brain. These chemical messengers are called neurotransmitters. Many experts believe that an imbalance in these neurotransmitters is the cause of depression. Fluoxetine is believed to work by inhibiting the release or affects the action of serotonin. Fluoxetine does not have MAO activity. PRESCRIPTION: Yes GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes PREPARATIONS: Capsules (Pulvules) are available in 10mg and 20mg sizes. Fluoxetine also is available in liquid oral suspension of 20mg/5ml by Dista labs. STORAGE: Store in a dry place at 20-25 degrees C (68-77 F). PRESCRIBED FOR: Depression and has been approved for obsessive compulsive disorders. DOSING: Fluoxetine is used in the treatment of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders. It usually is taken once or twice daily; however, it also has been taken once weekly. Fluoxetine should be taken with food at doses specifically directed by your physician. Individual doses vary greatly between individuals. If discontinued you should gradually withdraw from this medication as directed by your doctor. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Do not take with MAO inhibitors or for at least two weeks after their discontinuation. MAO inhibitors medications should not be taken for at least five weeks after discontinuing fluoxetine (Prozac). The same is true for Haldol. Most medications affecting the brain have the potential to slow reflexes or impair judgment and caution is advised. This medication has not been studied extensively in the US and re-evaluation periodically by your physician is advised. This medication should not be taken with tryptophan. Caution when taking this medication with the heart drug lanoxin and the anticoagulant coumadin. Check with you pharmacist when taking with other medications. NURSING MOTHERS: The manufacturer of fluoxetine recommends that women taking fluoxetine not nurse their infants. SIDE EFFECTS: Fluoxetine as with most antidepressants can cause nausea, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. Fluoxetine has been implicated in serious skin rashes and vasculitis. Increased blood pressure can occur and should be monitored. Seizures have been reported. Life-threatening interactions can occur in combination with MAO inhibitors, such as nardil and parnate. MAO inhibitors and fluoxetine should not be taken together and a waiting period of 14 days between taking these two classes of medications is strongly advised. "If antidepressants are discontinued abruptly, symptoms may occur such as dizziness, headache, nausea, changes in mood, or changes in the sense of smell, taste, etc. (Such symptoms even may occur when even a few doses of antidepressant are missed.) Therefore, it is recommended that the dose of antidepressant be reduced gradually when therapy is discontinued."