Drug Name

Sarafem (Fluoxetine)

Drug Uses

This medicine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It may as well as be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How Taken

Take this medication by mouth usually once a day in the morning, with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. Incase your doctor tells you to take this medication twice a day, take a dose in the morning as well as at noon. Dosage is based on your health examination condition as well as response to therapy. Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the alike time(s) each day. It is substantial to continue using this medication even incase you feel well. Do not halt using this medication without consulting your doctor. Do not take more or less medication than prescribed. The maximum recommended dose for adults treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as premenstrual dysphoric disorder is 80 mg per day. The maximum recommended dose for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated for depression is 20 mg per day. It may take 4 weeks or longer before the filled benefit of this drug takes effect. Inform your doctor incase your condition persists or worsens.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Sarafem is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, confident eating disorders (bulimia), as well as a very bad form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD). This medication works by restoring the balance of common substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain, thereby improving mood as well as feelings of well-being.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Incase it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C), away from light as well as moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children as well as pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Before using sarafem, tell your doctor or pharmacist incase you are allergic to it; or incase you possess any other allergies. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your health examination history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, stomach bleeding, diabetes, seizure disorder. Though uncommon, depression can lead to thoughts or attempts of suicide. Tell your doctor immediately incase you possess any suicidal thoughts, worsening depression, or any other mental/mood changes (including recent or worsening anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, very bad restlessness, rapid speech). Keep all health examination appointments so your healthcare professional can monitor your progress closely as well as adjust/change your medication incase needed. Incase you possess diabetes, sarafem may affect your blood glucose levels. Monitor your blood glucose regularly, as well as share the results with your doctor. The dose of your anti-diabetic medication(s) may need to be adjusted. Liquid preparations of this product may contain sugar and/or tiny amounts of alcohol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the protected take of this product incase you possess diabetes. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; take caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially drowsiness. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks as well as benefits with your doctor. Incase this medication is used during the final 3 months of pregnancy, infrequently your newborn may develop symptoms including feeding or breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, jitteriness or constant crying. But, do not halt using this medication unless your doctor directs you to do so. Report any such symptoms to your doctor promptly. Sarafem passes into breast milk as well as may possess undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore,breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Likely Side Effects

Nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, moistureless mouth, trouble sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, yawning, weakness, or sweating may occur. Incase any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these humorless side effects occur: unusual or very bad mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, mania), weight loss, change in sexual desire as well as ability, vision changes. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these unlikely but humorless side effects occur: uncontrolled movements (tremor), fever/flu-like symptoms. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these highly unlikely but very humorless side effects occur: unusual muscle stiffness, fast/irregular heartbeats, chest pain, not light stools, vomit that looks similar coffee grounds, easy bruising/bleeding, unusual bleeding, seizures. For males, in the very unlikely event you possess a painful, prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours), halt using this drug as well as seek immediate health examination attention or permanent problems could occur. A humorless allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate health examination attention incase it occurs. Symptoms of a humorless allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, very bad dizziness, trouble breathing. Incase you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not take this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Incase using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.