Fluoxetine Hydrochloride Medication Guide

Conditions This Medication May Treat

Based on Bridgeway's clinical use. See the FDA "Uses" section below for approved indications.

Anxiety Disorders Depression Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Uses (FDA Indications) (FDA source)

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Fluoxetine is indicated for the treatment of: Acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depressive Disorder [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Acute and maintenance treatment of obsessions and compulsions in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . Acute and maintenance treatment of binge-eating and vomiting behaviors in patients with moderate to severe Bulimia Nervosa [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] . Acute treatment of Panic Disorder, with or without agoraphobia [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] . Fluoxetine and Olanzapine in Combination is indicated for the treatment of: Acute treatment of depressive episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder. Fluoxetine monotherapy is not indicated for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder. When using Fluoxetine and olanzapine in combination, also refer to the Clinical Studies section of the package insert for Symbyax ® . Fluoxetine capsules are a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor indicated for: Acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) ( 1 ) Acute and maintenance treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) ( 1 ) Acute and maintenance treatment of Bulimia Nervosa ( 1 ) Acute treatment of Panic Disorder, with or without agoraphobia ( 1 ) Fluoxetine capsules and olanzapine in combination for treatment of: Acute Depressive Episodes Associated with Bipolar I Disorder ( 1 )

Dosage Forms & Strengths (FDA source)

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS • Fluoxetine capsules, USP 10 mg** are white to off white powder filled in size “4” hard gelatin capsules with opaque light blue colored cap and opaque light orange colored body imprinted “SG” on cap and “113” on body with black ink. • Fluoxetine capsules, USP 20 mg** are white to off white powder filled in size “2” hard gelatin capsules with opaque light blue colored cap and opaque light green colored body imprinted “SG” on cap and “114” on body with black ink. • Fluoxetine capsules, USP 40 mg** are white to off white powder filled in size “0” hard gelatin capsules with opaque light blue colored cap and opaque white colored body imprinted “SG” on cap and “115” on body with black ink. **Fluoxetine base equivalent. Capsules: 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg ( 3 )

Warnings & Precautions (FDA source)

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS When using fluoxetine and olanzapine in combination, also refer to the Warnings and Precautions section of the package insert for Symbyax. Suicidal thoughts and Behaviors in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Monitor for clinical worsening and suicidal thinking and behavior ( 5.1 ) Serotonin Syndrome: Serotonin syndrome has been reported with SSRIs and SNRIs, including fluoxetine , both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John's Wort). If such symptoms occur, discontinue fluoxetine and initiate supportive treatment. If concomitant use of fluoxetine with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, patients should be made aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases. ( 5.2 ) Serotonin Syndrome: Serotonin syndrome has been reported with SSRIs and SNRIs, including fluoxetine , both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John's Wort). If such symptoms occur, discontinue fluoxetine and initiate supportive treatment. If concomitant use of fluoxetine with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, patients should be made aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases. ( 5.2 ) Allergic Reactions and Rash: Discontinue upon appearance of rash or allergic phenomena ( 5.3 ) Activation of Mania/Hypomania: Screen for Bipolar Disorder and monitor for mania/hypomania ( 5.4 ) Seizures: Use cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that potentially lower the seizure threshold ( 5.5 ) Altered Appetite and Weight: Significant weight loss has occurred ( 5.6 ) Abnormal Bleeding: May increase the risk of bleeding. …

Common Side Effects (FDA source)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Allergic Reactions and Rash [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Screening Patients for Bipolar Disorder and Monitoring for Mania/Hypomania [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Altered Appetite and Weight [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Abnormal Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Angle-Closure Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Hyponatremia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Anxiety and Insomnia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] QT Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] Discontinuation Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15) ] When using fluoxetine and olanzapine in combination, also refer to the Adverse Reactions section of the package insert for Symbyax. Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and at least twice that for placebo) associated with: Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bulimia, and Panic Disorder: abnormal dreams, abnormal ejaculation, anorexia, anxiety, asthenia, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flu syndrome, impotence, insomnia, libido decreased, nausea, nervousness, pharyngitis, rash, sinusitis, somnolence, sweating, tremor, vasodilatation, and yawn ( 6.1 ) Fluoxetine and olanzapine in combination – Also refer to the Adverse Reactions section of the package insert for Symbyax ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Vensun Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-385-1540 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect or predict the rates observed in practice. …

Drug Interactions (FDA source)

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS As with all drugs, the potential for interaction by a variety of mechanisms (e.g., pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic drug inhibition or enhancement, etc.) is a possibility. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): ( 2.9 , 2.10 , 4.1 , 5.2 ) Drugs Metabolized by CYP2D6: Fluoxetine is a potent inhibitor of CYP2D6 enzyme pathway ( 7.7 ) Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): Monitor TCA levels during coadministration with fluoxetine or when fluoxetine has been recently discontinued ( 5.2 , 7.7 ) CNS Acting Drugs: Caution should be used when taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs ( 7.2 ) Benzodiazepines: Diazepam – increased t½, alprazolam - further psychomotor performance decrement due to increased levels ( 7.7 ) Antipsychotics: Potential for elevation of haloperidol and clozapine levels ( 7.7 ) Anticonvulsants: Potential for elevated phenytoin and carbamazepine levels and clinical anticonvulsant toxicity ( 7.7 ) Serotonergic Drugs: ( 2.9 , 2.10 , 4.1 , 5.2 ) Drugs that Interfere with Hemostasis (e.g. NSAIDs, Aspirin, Warfarin): May potentiate the risk of bleeding ( 7.4 ) Drugs Tightly Bound to Plasma Proteins: May cause a shift in plasma concentrations ( 7.6 , 7.7 ) Olanzapine: When used in combination with fluoxetine, also refer to the Drug Interactions section of the package insert for Symbyax ( 7.7 ) Drugs that Prolong the QT Interval: Do not use fluoxetine with thioridazine or pimozide. Use with caution in combination with other drugs that prolong the QT interval ( 4.2 , 5.11 , 7.7 , 7.8 ) 7.1 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) [see Dosage and Administration (2.9, 2.10) , Contraindications (4.1) , and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. …

Interactions With Other Medications We Cover

FDA label text for Fluoxetine Hydrochloride or a related medication mentions the following combinations. Check any two medications with our interaction tool →

• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Olanzapine — Moderate
• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Lithium Carbonate — Moderate
• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Buspirone Hydrochloride — Moderate
• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Aripiprazole — Moderate
• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Amphetamine — Minor
• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Ziprasidone Hydrochloride — Minor
• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Fluvoxamine Maleate — Minor
• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Duloxetine Hydrochloride — Minor
• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Risperidone — Minor
• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Bupropion Hydrochloride — Minor
• Fluoxetine Hydrochloride + Clomipramine Hydrochloride — Minor

About this interaction data. These interactions were identified by automatically scanning FDA prescribing-label text for medications in Bridgeway's library. This is not a complete list and is not a substitute for review by your prescriber or pharmacist, who use comprehensive clinical databases. Always share your full medication list with your care team. How we source this data →

Contraindications (FDA source)

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS When using fluoxetine capsules and olanzapine in combination, also refer to the Contraindications section of the package insert for Symbyax. Serotonin Syndrome and MAOIs: Do not use MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with fluoxetine or within 5 weeks of stopping treatment with fluoxetine. Do not use fluoxetine within 14 days of stopping an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders. In addition, do not start fluoxetine in a patient who is being treated with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue ( 4.1 ) Pimozide: Do not use. Risk of QT prolongation and drug interaction ( 4.2 , 5.11 , 7.7 , 7.8 ) Thioridazine: Do not use. Risk of QT interval prolongation and elevated thioridazine plasma levels. Do not use thioridazine within 5 weeks of discontinuing fluoxetine. …

Use in Specific Populations (FDA source)

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS When using fluoxetine and olanzapine in combination, also refer to the Use in Specific Populations section of the package insert for Symbyax. Pregnancy: Fluoxetine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risks to the fetus ( 8.1 ) Nursing Mothers: Breast feeding is not recommended ( 8.3 ) Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of fluoxetine in patients <8 years of age with Major Depressive Disorder and <7 years of age with OCD have not been established. Safety and effectiveness of fluoxetine and olanzapine in combination in patients <10 years of age for depressive episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder have not been established. ( 8.4 ) Hepatic Impairment: Lower or less frequent dosing may be appropriate in patients with cirrhosis ( 8.6 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C — Fluoxetine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defects, loss, or other adverse outcome regardless of drug exposure. Treatment of Pregnant Women during the First Trimester — There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical studies on the use of fluoxetine in pregnant women. Results of a number of published epidemiological studies assessing the risk of fluoxetine exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy have demonstrated inconsistent results. More than 10 cohort studies and case-control studies failed to demonstrate an increased risk for congenital malformations overall. …

Most-Reported Adverse Events (FAERS)

Of 131,850 adverse-event reports mentioning Fluoxetine Hydrochloride submitted to the FDA, the most frequently reported reactions are:

• Drug Ineffective — 8,385 reports
• Nausea — 7,751 reports
• Fatigue — 7,713 reports
• Headache — 6,586 reports
• Depression — 6,136 reports
• Anxiety — 5,974 reports
• Dizziness — 5,412 reports
• Diarrhoea — 5,372 reports
• Off Label Use — 5,201 reports
• Pain — 5,185 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary, unverified reports from patients and providers worldwide — they do not mean the medication caused the reaction, and report counts reflect how widely a drug is used as much as its safety profile.

Recent FDA Recalls

No ongoing recalls involving Fluoxetine Hydrochloride right now. See full medication safety feed →