PROZAC

PROZACis one of the world's most widely prescribed antidepressants; it has been prescribed for more than 40 million people worldwide. Chances are, someone you know is getting better because of it. Learn more about how PROZAC works to make you better, so that you can know what to expect while you work toward your recovery

How To Take Prozac

Take Prozac by mouth usually once daily in the morning, with or without food; or as directed by your doctor. The prozac dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Some medical conditions may require a different dosing schedule (e.g., twice daily in the morning and at noon) as determined by your doctor. Take prozac exactly as prescribed. It is important to continue taking prozac even if you feel well. Also, do not stop taking prozac without consulting your doctor. It may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect.

Prozac Side Effects

Nausea, headache, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, drowsiness, sweating, or upset stomach may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: loss of appetite, unusual weight loss, unusual or severe mental/mood changes, uncontrolled movements (tremor), decreased interest in sex, flu-like symptoms (e.g., chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: vision changes, trouble swallowing, swelling or white spots on the mouth and/or tongue, changes in sexual ability, painful and/or prolonged erection. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting, irregular/fast heartbeat. An allergic reaction to prozac is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions for Prozac

Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver problems, kidney disease, seizures, heart problems, diabetes, any allergies. Prozac may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. Liquid preparations of prozac may contain sugar and/or small amounts of alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of prozac. Caution is advised when using prozac in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. Prozac should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Prozac passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using prozac is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Prozac Interactions

Certain medications taken with prozac could result in serious, even fatal, drug interactions. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks, and avoid taking thioridazine within 5 weeks, before or after treatment with prozac. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for additional information. Prozac is not recommended for use with: weight loss medicine (e.g., sibutramine, phentermine), thioridazine, terfenadine, astemizole. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: other SSRI antidepressants (e.g., citalopram, sertraline), nefazodone, trazodone, venlafaxine, "triptan" migraine drugs (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan), tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline), flecainide, propafenone, haloperidol, clozapine, lithium, tryptophan, "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin/hydantoins), herbal/natural products (e.g., St John's wort, ayahuasca). Tell your doctor if you take any drugs that cause drowsiness such as: medicine for sleep, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., alprazolam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), muscle relaxants, psychiatric medicine (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine), certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of these products. Report other drugs which affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation), such as: dofetilide, pimozide, sotalol, quinidine, procainamide, sparfloxacin, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Fluoxetine may affect the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. If you take any anti-diabetes medication (e.g., glipizide, glyburide, metformin), your dosage of these drugs may need to be adjusted when fluoxetine is started or discontinued. Consult your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Prozac Missed Dosage

If you miss prozac dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

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PAXIL

Common Brand Name(s)
Paxil Tablet

Uses

This medicine is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD), generalized and social anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and panic disorders with or without the fear of being in open or public places.

Contraindications
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine; you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor within the last 14 days; you are currently taking thioridazine.

How to Use
How much medicine you take and how often you take it depends on many factors, including the condition being treated, your age, and weight. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Carefully read the patient leaflet provided with this medicine and reread it each time you get this prescription refilled. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your health care provider. This medicine may be taken without regard to food. Symptoms usually improve within 1 to 4 weeks. Continue taking your medicine even though you feel better. This medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity. Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days. If you are uncertain whether your other medications contain an MAO inhibitor, check with your health care provider. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause certain side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, sweating, agitation; abnormal skin sensations, and abnormal dreams. Do not take more medicine than prescribed unless advised to do so by your doctor or health care provider. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medicines without talking with your doctor. This includes any herbal preparations or dietary supplements. Contact your health care provider at once if you feel you have taken too much of this medicine.

Side Effects
Every medicine can cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following occurs: Severe: Extreme mood swings; tremors; heart problems; abnormal bleeding; chest pain; breathing problems. Common: Depression: Headache; flushing; weakness; sweating; nausea; drowsiness;dry mouth; constipation; diarrhea; decreased appetite; gas; sleepiness; dizziness;sleeplessness; tremor; nervousness; anxiety; abnormal skin sensations; decreased sex drive; yawning; blurred vision; abnormal ejaculation; urinary frequency;urination disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Weakness; sweating; flushing;rash; nausea; dry mouth; constipation; diarrhea; changes in appetite; sleeplessness;drowsiness; dizziness; tremor; nervousness; decreased sex drive; abnormal dreams; difficulty concentrating; temporary loss of personal reality; muscle twitch; abnormal vision; abnormal ejaculation; female genital disorders; impotence;urinary retention; urinary disorder. Panic disorder: Weakness; stomach pain;back pain; sweating; dry mouth; constipation; diarrhea; decreased appetite;sleeplessness; drowsiness; dizziness; tremor; decreased sex drive; agitation;anxiety; muscle twitch; runny nose; abnormal ejaculation; female genital disorder;impotence. Social anxiety disorder: Weakness; sweating; nausea; dry mouth;constipation; diarrhea; decreased appetite; indigestion; gas; muscle pain;sleeplessness; sleepiness; dizziness; tremor; nervousness; decreased sex drive;agitation; anxiety; difficulty concentrating; sore throat; yawn; abnormal vision; abnormal ejaculation; painful menstruation; female genital disorder;impotence. Generalized anxiety disorder: Weakness; headache; infection (fever, chills, sore throat); flushing; sweating; nausea; dry mouth; constipation;diarrhea; decreased appetite; vomiting; sleeplessness; drowsiness; dizziness;tremor; nervousness; decreased sex drive; inflamed sinuses; yawn; abnormal ejaculation; female genital disorder. Posttraumatic stress disorder: Weakness;infection (fever, chills, sore throat); stomach pain; sweating; nausea; dry mouth; constipation; diarrhea; decreased appetite; vomiting; indigestion;sleeplessness; drowsiness; dizziness; tremor; decreased sex drive; abnormal dreams; abnormal vision; abnormal ejaculation; female genital disorder; impotence. Other: Depression: Rash; throat disorder; indigestion; abnormal or painful muscle condition; sedated feeling; muscle weakness; confusion; taste changes;female genital disorders. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Chills; memory loss;taste changes; urinary tract infection. Panic disorder: Chills; increased appetite; urinary frequency; urinary tract infection. Social anxiety disorder:Vomiting; muscle twitch. Posttraumatic stress disorder: Flushing;yawn.

Precautions
Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding; if you are taking any prescription medicine, nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; if you have a history of tremors or mania; if you have thoughts of suicide; if you have severe liver or kidney problems; if you have a history of substance or alcohol abuse; if you have a history of narrow-angle glaucoma; if you have any other medical condition.

Missed Dose
If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.