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Thyroid Medications: Q and A with Mary Parks, M.D.. January is Thyroid Awareness Month. Learn about thyroid medications from Mary Parks, M.D., Director of FDA's Division of Metabolic and Endocrine Drug Products. Facts About Crohn's Disease. On January 14, 2008, FDA approved Tysabri (natalizumab) for certain patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn�s disease, a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract. Here are facts about the symptoms and treatments for this condition. FDA 101: How to Use the Consumer Complaint System and MedWatch. When you have a problem with a food, drug, or other FDA-regulated product, FDA wants to hear from you. Here's how to report problems using two of FDA's main reporting systems. FDA 101: Biological Products. Basic facts about biologics, products that replicate natural biologic substances such as enzymes, antibodies, or hormones in our bodies. Food Label Helps Consumers Make Healthier Choices. The food label allows you to compare foods quickly and easily to choose the ones that best fit your dietary needs. Merck Recalls Certain Lots of Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) Vaccine. Merck & Co. has initiated a voluntary recall in the United States for ten lots of PedvaxHIB and two lots of COMVAX.
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Why Fluoxetine? uses of Fluoxetine Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ( SSRI ) used to treat depression, anxiety disorders ( panic attacks ) , obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD ) , a certain eating disorder ( bulimia ) , and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome ( premenstrual dysphoric disorder ) .
SSRIs work by helping to restore balance of certain natural substances in brain ( neurotransmitters such as serotonin ) . Fluoxetine may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may decrease anxiety/unreasonable fears, persistent/troubling thoughts ( obsessions ) , and unwanted urges that keep returning ( compulsions ) . It may decrease number and severity of panic attacks. Fluoxetine may lessen premenstrual symptoms such as irritability, increased appetite, and depression. It may decrease bingeing and purging behaviors in bulimia. how to use of Fluoxetine Read Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using Fluoxetine and each time we get a refill. If we have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Fluoxetine by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Fluoxetine may make you either sleepy or wakeful. Therefore, depending on how Fluoxetine affects you, your doctor may direct we to take entire dose once daily in either morning or evening. If we are taking Fluoxetine twice a day, your doctor may direct you to take it in morning and at noon.
If you're taking Fluoxetine for premenstrual problems, your doctor may direct you to take it every day of month or just for 2 weeks before your period through first full day of your period. To help we remember, mark your calendar.
If we are using the liquid form of Fluoxetine, measure the dose carefully using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because we mayn't get the correct dose.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may start we at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Don't take more or less medication or take it more frequently than prescribed. Your condition won't improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Use Fluoxetine regularly in order to get most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at same time ( s ) each day.
It is important to continue taking Fluoxetine as prescribed even if we feel well. Don't stop taking Fluoxetine without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
We should see some improvement in 1 to 2 weeks. It may take several weeks before we feel the full benefit.
Tell your doctor if your condition doesn't improve or if it worsens. other used of Fluoxetine This section contains uses of Fluoxetine that are not listed in approved professional labeling for drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use Fluoxetine for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
Fluoxetine is also used to treat certain other eating disorders ( anorexia nervosa ) , obesity, and certain nervous system/sleep disorders ( catalepsy, narcolepsy ) . side effects of Fluoxetine See also Warning section.
Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, weakness, tiredness, sweating, or yawning may occur while use Fluoxetine. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Fluoxetine because he or she has judged that benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Fluoxetine don't have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:
Fluoxetine may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases when Fluoxetine is used with certain other drugs such as " triptans " used to treat migraine headaches ( e. g. , sumatriptan, eletriptan ) , certain antidepressants including other SSRIs ( e. g. , citalopram, paroxetine ) and SNRIs ( e. g. , duloxetine, venlafaxine ) , lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, or a certain drug to treat obesity ( sibutramine ) . See also Drug Interactions section. Before taking Fluoxetine, tell your doctor if you take any of these medications. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely when we start or increase the dose of any of these medications. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop some of following symptoms:
For males, in very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using Fluoxetine and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur.
A very serious allergic reaction to Fluoxetine is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if we notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. precautions of Fluoxetine Before taking Fluoxetine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Before using Fluoxetine, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
Fluoxetine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any other activity that requires alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
If we have diabetes, Fluoxetine may affect your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar regularly and share results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your medication, diet, and exercise when we start or stop Fluoxetine. Liquid forms of Fluoxetine may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if we have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.
Caution is advised when using Fluoxetine in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects. The elderly are more likely to lose too much salt ( hyponatremia ) , especially if they're also taking " water pills " ( diuretics ) with Fluoxetine.
Fluoxetine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Also, babies born to mothers who have used Fluoxetine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, tell doctor promptly.
Since untreated depression can be a serious condition, do not stop taking Fluoxetine unless directed by your doctor. If we are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think we may be pregnant, immediately discuss the benefits and risks of using Fluoxetine during pregnancy with your doctor.
Fluoxetine may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using Fluoxetine. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. interactions of Fluoxetine Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for them. Do not start, stop, or change dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Fluoxetine can stay in your body for many weeks after your last dose and may interact with many other medications. Before using any medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we have taken Fluoxetine in previous 5 weeks.
Certain medications taken with Fluoxetine could result in serious ( rarely fatal ) drug interactions. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors ( e. g. , furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine ) with Fluoxetine for 2 weeks before, during treatment, and at least 5 weeks after your last dose of Fluoxetine. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for additional information.
The following medications shouldn't be used with Fluoxetine and for 5 weeks after your last dose of Fluoxetine because very serious ( possibly fatal ) interactions may occur while use Fluoxetine:
If you're currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Fluoxetine.
Before using Fluoxetine, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:
Aspirin can increase risk of bleeding when used with Fluoxetine ( see above ) . If your doctor has directed we to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention ( usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day ) , we should continue taking it unless your doctor instructs we otherwise. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.
Also tell your doctor if we take any other drugs that increase serotonin, such as bromocriptine, buspirone, dextromethorphan, lithium, meperidine, propoxyphene, phentermine, SSRIs, SNRIs, tryptophan, St. John's wort, drugs used to treat migraines such as " triptans " and dihydroergotamine, street drugs such as MDMA/ " ecstasy, " amphetamine. ( See also Side Effects section. )
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness, such as certain antihistamines ( e. g. , diphenhydramine ) , anti-seizure drugs ( e. g. , carbamazepine ) , medicine for sleep or anxiety ( e. g. , lorazepam, zolpidem ) , muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers ( e. g. , codeine ) , psychiatric medicines ( e. g. , chlorpromazine, quetiapine, nortriptyline, trazodone ) .
Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Dextromethorphan is a commonly used cough medication and may interact with Fluoxetine. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Cimetidine is a nonprescription drug that's commonly used to treat extra stomach acid. Because it may cause undesirable interactions when used with Fluoxetine, ask your pharmacist about other products to treat stomach acid.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Fluoxetine, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share list with your doctor and pharmacist.
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