Fluoxetine Pharmacology

Fluoxetine

About Fluoxetine
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, Antidepressant.
Mechanism of Action of Fluoxetine
Fluoxetine preferentially inhibits the re-uptake of Serotonin (5 HT) in the CNS nerve terminals .This will result in an increased concentration of neurotransmitter Serotonin in the synaptic cleft and produces antidepressant effect. Fluoxetine has only less affinity towards Dopaminergic, Cholinergic and Adrenergic receptors.
Pharmacokinets of Fluoxetine
Absorption: It is well absorbed after oral administration. Distribution: It is very widely distributed in the body in protein bound form. Metabolism: Fluoxetine is extensively metabolised in the liver to Norfluoxetine. Excretion: Excreted mainly through urine.
Onset of Action for Fluoxetine
2- 4 weeks
Duration of Action for Fluoxetine
Up to 6 weeks
Half Life of Fluoxetine
2 - 9 days
Side Effects of Fluoxetine
1.Drowsiness
2.Headache
3.Nervousness
4.Insomnia
5.Anxiety
6.Dizziness
7.Tremor
8.Fatigue
9.Asthenia
10.Anorexia
11.Nausea
12.Diarrhoea
13.Dry mouth
14.Sweating
15.Pruritis
16.Rash.
Contra-indications of Fluoxetine
Hypersensitivity to Fluoxetine
Special Precautions while taking Fluoxetine
1.Hepatic disease
2.Renal disease
3.Cardiovascular disease
4.Epilepsy
5 Diabetes mellitus
6.Patient on MAOI therapy (Discontinue the MAO inhibitor at least 2 weeks before Fluoxetine is started)
7.Alcoholics
8.Patient at high risk of suicide
9.Slowly withdraw the drug with caution
10.Patient should be cautioned against driving vehicle, operating machine and activities requiring mental alertness or judgment
Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated.
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution.
Breast Feeding Related Information
Contraindicated.
Children Related Information
Contraindicated.
NEONATES: contraindicated
Indications for Fluoxetine
1.Depression
2.Panic disorder
3.Obsessive compulsive disorder
4.Obesity
5.Bulimia nervosa.
Interactions for Fluoxetine
MAOIs: Serious life threatening reactions. At least 14 days should elapse after MAOIs withdrawal and initiation of fluoxentine. At least 5 weeks should elapse after fluoxentine withdrawal and initiation of the therapy with MAOIs.
Diazepam: Half-life of diazepam prolonged.
Haloperidol: Chances of severe extrapyramidal reactions.
Lithium: Serum lithium levels increased leading to toxicity.
TCAs: Efiicacy and toxic effects of TCAs enhanced.
Warfarin, Digoxin: Since tightly bound to plasma proteins, concomitant use of other drugs bound to plama proteins may cause shift in plasma concentration resulting in adverse effects.
Typical Dosage for Fluoxetine
Adult:
Depression, Panic disorder: Initial dose: 20 mg in the morning for 1 month. Dose can be increased to 40 mg / day in two divided doses (20 mg at morning and 20 mg at noon) if sufficient response does not occur
Maximum dose: 80 mg / day
Obsessive compulsive disorder, Obesity: 20 - 60 mg / day
Bulimia nervosa: 60 - 80 mg / day
Schedule of Fluoxetine
H
Storage Requirements for Fluoxetine
Store at 15 - 25 degree C. Keep out of the reach of children.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Fluoxetine
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time to take the next dose then skip the missed dose.
Effects of Overdose of Fluoxetine
Give supportive measures and symptomatic treatment. Gastric lavage can be done to eliminate the drug from the body. Charcoal can be given to reduce the absorption of the drug.

Home Delivery for Fluoxetine in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including fluoxetine.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for fluoxetine and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for fluoxetine may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take fluoxetine only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for fluoxetine before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for fluoxetine with the pharmacy.

Fluoxetine is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for fluoxetine might be better known than fluoxetine itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have fluoxetine in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for fluoxetine.