Fluoxetine HCL

Fluoxetine HCL or hydrochloride is among a group of drugs called SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. There are tablets, capsules and delayed release capsule forms of Fluoxetine HCL. Brands like Sarafem and Prozac are flocking the market. Know more about Fluoxetine HCL and learn how this can be beneficial to your health.

SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are drugs used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD. When a female patient has this condition, she usually becomes irritable before the start of the period. The patient can also be moody, very tense, sometimes bloating, feels sadness and tenderness of the breast. The main cause of this condition is the chemical imbalance of the patient’s serotonin.

With the many forms of Fluoxetine HCL, Fluoxetine HCL capsules are more common. Whatever the brand the patient opts or the doctor recommends, it is best to know some guidelines, checklists and important facts about using Fluoxetine HCL.

Before the patient is given a Fluoxetine HCL dosage, she first must meet with her doctor to check if there are medical conditions that may hamper the performance of the drug in the body. The doctor will check on conditions like heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, has received electroconvulsive therapy, experiencing convulsion, suicidal tendencies and uncommon allergic reactions to foods, drugs, preservatives, dyes, substances and even Fluoxetine HCL. The doctor will also think about pregnancy and breast feeding as delicate conditions, subject for examination and careful analysis before Fluoxetine HCL prescription is given.

There is a list of drugs that may affect the effectiveness of the drug and may not be allowed to be taken in combination with Fluoxetine HCL. It is important to know what these drugs are, so that the patient will be able to experience the treating effect of the drug. Drug interaction can lead to serious results. So it is best to discuss with the doctor all the drugs that are taken by the patient.

Drugs and brands that doctors find not suitable to be taken along with Fluoxetine HCL are the following: drugs refered to as MAO inhibitors or monoamine oxidase inhibitor – phenelzine, Nardil, trancylcypromine, Parnate, isocarboxazid, Marplan, selegiline, Eldepryl, thioridazine, Mellaril, terfenadine, Seldane, pimozide, Orap, cisapride, Propulsid, astemizole and Hismanal. The list may not be complete, so it advisable to ask the doctor if there are updates regarding this matter.

Some drugs, though may cause interaction, may be allowed to be taken but with significant adjustments. Depending on the patient’s condition, the doctor may cancel Fluoxetine HCL prescription or may recommend discontinuation of the following medicines: warfarin, St. John’s Wort, propranolo, propafenone, Phenytoin, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Ibuprofen, drugs for treating mental disorders, drugs for psychotic disturbances, drugs for treating diabetes, drugs for mental depression, lithium, metoprolol, linezolid, furazolidone, dextromethorphan, dofetilide, ergonovine, cimetidine, cyproheptadine, dextroamphetamine, dextromethorphan, drugs for migraine, methysergide, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, zolmitriptan, sumatriptan, rizatriptan, naratriptan, frovatriptan, eletriptan, almotriptan, sibutramine, Phentermine, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, other diet medicines, carbamazeprine, buspirone, drugs for anxiety or sleeping disorder, benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepam, aspirin, amphetamine and alcohol.

After the doctor has given the patient the Fluoxetine HCL prescription, the patient has to be oriented of all important instructions on the proper use of the medicine. The patient must take Fluoxetine HCL capsule whole and not crushed, cut or squeezed. In order to facilitate the intake, the patient must sit straight up. Follow up swallowing with plenty of water. The doctor should recommend intake with regular meal if he finds out that you will have stomach problems with the drug. However, Fluoxetine HCL capsule can be taken without a meal.

Some side effects of Fluoxetine HCL are serious and must need to be reported to the doctor once they occur. Some of these are anxiety, palpitations, vomiting and hostility. The patient must be familiar with the proper ways of dealing with these side effects. The patient must not take drugs to relieve side effects if not prescribed by the doctor. The doctor knows what’s best, so the patient must be guided.