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March 31, 2024
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Everything you need to know about fluoxetine

You may have heard at least once about fluoxetine, a medicine used especially to treat depression, but also indicated for treating bulimia nervosa, among other cases.

Exactly because it is a medicine used in different types of treatments, the use of fluoxetine generates many doubts among people. Many of them even think that fluoxetine can be used as a weight loss medicine? as this may be one of its side effects.

With that in mind, below you will find all the important information about fluoxetine to really understand what its indications are.

According to package insert, fluoxetine hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of depression, whether or not associated with anxiety. It is also indicated for the treatment of bulimia nervosa, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), including premenstrual tension (PMS), irritability and dysphoria (anxiety disorder).

How does fluoxetine work?

Fluoxetine hydrochloride works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, thereby improving the symptoms of depression, bulimia nervosa, obsessive compulsive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

As with most medicines, fluoxetine hydrochloride should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor.

Also according to package insert, fluoxetine hydrochloride should be given orally and can be taken independently of meals. It is also worth mentioning that one cannot take more than the recommended amount of the medicine by the doctor for the period of 24 hours.

Fluoxetine Side Effects

Like other medicines, fluoxetine may offer some side effects that will surely be reported to you in detail by your doctor.

But, according to package insert, the following adverse reactions with fluoxetine hydrochloride use have been reported (in more than 10% of patients):

Diarrhea;
Nausea;
Tiredness (fatigue)? including asthenia (loss or decrease in muscle strength);
Headache;
Insomnia (including early waking, early insomnia, sleep-maintaining insomnia).

Still according to the fluoxetine package leaflet, other less common reactions (occurring between 1% and 10% of patients using this medicine) are:

Palpitations;
Blurred vision;
Dry mouth;
Gastrointestinal discomfort;
Vomiting;
Chills;
Tremor sensation;
Weight loss;
Decreased appetite (including anorexia);
Attention disorder;
Vertigo;
Change in taste (dysgeusia);
Sensation of slowness of movement and reasoning (lethargy);
Drowsiness (including hypersomnia and sedation);
Tremor;
Abnormal dreams (including nightmares);
Anxiety;
Decreased sexual desire (decreased libido);
Nervousness;
Tiredness;
Sleep disorder;
Tension;
Frequent or abnormally frequent urination (urination) (polyuria);
Ejaculation disorders;
Gynecological bleeding and bleeding;
Erectile dysfunction;
Yawn;
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis);
Itching (itching);
Skin rashes;
Itchy rashes (hives);
Flushing (including hot flushes), among other more unusual reactions.

These or any other reaction should be reported to the doctor who prescribed the medicine as soon as possible.

Fluoxetine Contraindications and Warnings

Below are important information, according to the package leaflet:

Fluoxetine hydrochloride should not be used by patients allergic to fluoxetine or any of its components.
The physician should be informed of any other type of medication the patient intends to use in parallel with fluoxetine treatment.
Fluoxetine hydrochloride is contraindicated for children under 18 years.
Like other medicines used to treat depression, fluoxetine hydrochloride should be administered with caution to patients with a history of seizures.
In patients with diabetes, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) occurred during therapy with fluoxetine hydrochloride and hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) after discontinuation of the medicine. Therefore, the insulin and / or oral hypoglycaemic dose should be adjusted when treatment with this medicinal product is established and after discontinuation.
Like other antidepressants, isolated cases of suicidal behaviors have been reported during treatment with fluoxetine hydrochloride or after stopping treatment, according to package insert.Therefore, the physician should be consulted immediately if the patient, regardless of age, reports any suicidal thoughts at any stage of treatment.
Fluoxetine hydrochloride should also be used with caution in patients with high intraocular pressure or those at risk of acute narrow-angle glaucoma (a disease characterized by increased intraocular tension that causes severe eye pain and sudden loss of vision).
The safety and efficacy of fluoxetine hydrochloride in children has not been established.
Depending on the appearance of a rash or other allergic reaction for which a cause cannot be identified, fluoxetine hydrochloride should be discontinued.
This medicine may interfere with judgment, thinking and action. Therefore, during treatment, the patient should not drive vehicles or operate machinery until they are sure that their performance has not been affected.
The use of fluoxetine hydrochloride should be considered during pregnancy only if the benefits of treatment justify the potential risk to the fetus, taking into account the risks of not treating depression.

It is noteworthy that this information is on the package leaflet, but all guidelines and care with the use of fluoxetine hydrochloride should be passed by the doctor.

Does fluoxetine lose weight?

Weight loss is one of the possible side effects of fluoxetine hydrochloride, but this does not mean that the medicine should be taken for this purpose (unless this is a medical recommendation).

As already mentioned, the medicine is used in cases of depression, bulimia nervosa and obsessive compulsive disorder. And although it does not work in the hunger control center, it acts in the reuptake of serotonin? important substance in controlling mood and feeling of well-being, which makes the patient feel more satisfied with his own image and also less anxious.

But it is worth emphasizing that the medicine can only be taken as directed by the doctor. When the goal is solely to lose weight, the best way forward is to focus on a low-calorie diet and exercise regularly, preferably with the support of a nutritionist and a physical educator.