How should Fluoxetine be taken?

Fluoxetine is an SSRI antidepressant (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).

This medication treats the following conditions:

Adults: 

• Major depressive episodes.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by intrusive and repetitive thoughts, leading to compulsive behaviors and mental acts.

• Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder. Fluoxetine 20 mg Capsules are used in conjunction with psychotherapy to reduce binge eating and purging behaviors, such as self-vomiting or using laxatives to eliminate excess calories.

Children and adolescents aged eight years and older:

• For children and young people with moderate to severe major depressive disorder, Fluoxetine 20 mg Capsules should be used in conjunction with psychological therapy if depression does not improve after 4-6 sessions.

How does the Fluoxetine capsule work?

Serotonin is a substance found in everyone's brain. Individuals with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or bulimia nervosa exhibit lower levels of serotonin compared to others. Fluoxetine capsules and other SSRIs may increase serotonin levels in the brain, though their exact mechanism is unclear.

Treating these conditions is critical to improving your health. If left untreated, your condition may worsen and become more difficult to treat.

Treatment may take several weeks or months to alleviate symptoms completely.

Before you start the medication

• Fluoxetine capsules should not be taken if you are allergic to fluoxetine or any of its ingredients. If you experience a rash or allergic reactions (such as itching, swelling, or shortness of breath), stop taking the capsules and contact your doctor right away.

• Avoid taking irreversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors type A (MAOIs) to treat depression, as they can cause serious or fatal reactions.

• Fluoxetine capsules should be started 2 weeks after discontinuing an irreversible non-selective MAOI, such as tranylcypromine.

     Treatment with fluoxetine can begin the day after discontinuing certain reversible MAOIs, such as moclobemide.

How to take Fluoxetine Capsules

Take this medication exactly as directed by the doctor at all times. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. Do not take more capsules than your doctor prescribes.

Swallow the capsules with a glass of water. Don't chew the capsules.

Adults:

The recommended dose is:

• Depression: Take 1 capsule (fluoxetine 20 mg) daily. Within 3-4 weeks of starting treatment, your doctor will review and adjust your dosage as needed. The dosage can be gradually increased up to a maximum of 3 capsules (60 mg) per day. Carefully increase the dose to achieve the lowest effective dose. Initially taking depression medication may not result in immediate improvements. It is common for depressive symptoms to improve after a few weeks. Patients with depression should be treated for a minimum of six months.

• Bulimia nervosa: Three capsules of 20 mg each.

• The recommended daily dose for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is one capsule (20 mg). After two weeks of treatment, your doctor will review and adjust your dosage accordingly. To increase the dosage, gradually increase to a maximum of 3 capsules (60 mg) per day. If no improvement is observed within 10 weeks, your doctor may reconsider your treatment.

Children and teenagers with depression ages 8 to 18:.

Treatment should start under the supervision of a specialist. Ten milligrams per day is the starting dose.

Your doctor might raise the dosage to 20 mg per day after one to two weeks. To make sure you receive the lowest possible effective dose, the dose should be carefully increased. Children who weigh less might require smaller dosages. Your doctor will evaluate whether treatment needs to be continued after six months if there is a good response to it. In nine weeks, if you have not improved, your doctor will review your course of treatment.

Taking fluoxetine as prescribed by your doctor can help you manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.