Hi I'm a middle aged male on 30mg of Cymbalta for chronic pain from failed back surgery syndrome. I was wondering how high of a dose were you on when you quit and how bad was the withdrawals. Also I have noticed that I find women complaints about withdrawl much more than men on the web. I ask these questions cause my pain Dr wants to raise my dose but I'm worried about the buzzing and other problems people have had getting off of this stuff. Right now I'm having bad dreams and been depressed as of late and think this is from Cymbalta. Thanks!
Dose sizes and Male or Female
Started by CrippledLongTime, May 01 2008 03:55 PM
6 replies to this topic
#2
CrippledLongTime
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 12:45 PM
Hello Greybeard,
First let me thank you for well written reply. I understand you are not a doctor but you took more time to answer than my pain Dr. He did not even blink an eye two visits ago when I told him about my this depression and nightmares. :roll:
Once again thank for your reply and I wish you smooth sailing in the days ahead!
First let me thank you for well written reply. I understand you are not a doctor but you took more time to answer than my pain Dr. He did not even blink an eye two visits ago when I told him about my this depression and nightmares. :roll:
First of all I'm not a Doctor so I can't officially advise............ anything I say is for guidance to use in your own searches. But Cymbalta is not supposed to be prescribed for chronic pain other than diabetic neurotropic pain. That's the only pain management the FDA has approved for Cymbalta that I know of. Eli Lilly tried for Fibromyalgia pain but it wasn't approved so to my knowledge your Dr. is prescribing the wrong drug.
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Pain management doctors always use off label new medications like Cymbalta and Lyrica first. They are worried about
prescribing pain medcation for fear of the DEA.
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Why more women than men? Guys aren't supposed to complain about pain, depression, nighmares etc. ...... it's taught to
us to be that way, and we believed it. It's "just not manly" to complain.
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This is what I thought but just wanted to throw this out there to see if Cymbalta affects women more than men.
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Your description of the bad dreams and depression fall in line with cymbalta withdrawal, which does happen even while taking it as prescribed and most doctors will increase your dosage......... don't fall for it, most of the time these symptoms will increase as well. The depression and bad dreams could also be from pain itself and have nothing to do with the drug, that happens too.
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I think this from the Cymbalta because I've had to deal with my pain for over 17 years now and never had such dreams. These dream consist of very personal problems I've had to deal with over the years. I wake up already bitter and depressed
from these types of dreams.
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Coming off cymbalta from any dosage can be misrable for some... others do quite well I guess, I don't know about that because you'd never hear about those cases much.
My experiance was withdrawal symptoms almost immediately after taking it as prescribed, I was at 30mg for one month that was raised to 60mg at which point my pain and brain ZAPS!, nightmares, etc went through the roof..... 4 days later I quit cold turkey. That was 53 days ago and I still have withdrawal symptoms.
There are some good weening off threads here in this forum that seem to work well for others..... I didn't try them because I'll never touch the stuff again.
Again, I don't know your situation and can't officially advise, but if your Doctor prescribed this drug for something it wasn't approved for, maybe finding a new Doc may be in order..... after you have enough cymbalta to get through the weening off period that is...
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This is my 6th Pain Dr in 8 years which is a red flag in the eyes of the doctors and the DEA
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Peace,
Greybeard
53 days .... Still here
Once again thank for your reply and I wish you smooth sailing in the days ahead!
#3
Sarah J
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Posted 02 May 2008 - 02:12 PM
CrippledLongTime - the package insert for Cymbalta clearly states that doses larger than 90mg are not proven to be effective. I have seen stories of people taking up to 120mg.Hi I'm a middle aged male on 30mg of Cymbalta for chronic pain from failed back surgery syndrome. I was wondering how high of a dose were you on when you quit and how bad was the withdrawals. Also I have noticed that I find women complaints about withdrawl much more than men on the web. I ask these questions cause my pain Dr wants to raise my dose but I'm worried about the buzzing and other problems people have had getting off of this stuff. Right now I'm having bad dreams and been depressed as of late and think this is from Cymbalta. Thanks!
Personally, three times my old doctor tried to bump me up to 90 mg, each time, after the first dose of that, it felt like my head was going to blow off, mind blowing really scary headaches. I spent most of my time at 30 mg, with some time at 60 and I did not notice much of a difference in the drug working, nor did I have a hard time going from 60 to 30. It was when my old doc took me off cold turkey from 30 mg that my brains kind of fell to pieces.
About the withdrawals, I have noticed that many men tend to get over this quicker than women. Why? I don't know. My best guess is that we all have different chemical make-ups and that is why some people have no withdrawal at all, get over it in a few days, others a few weeks. Because we are all different.
I hope that you find some solace and peace, if you have not been on the 30 mg for at least 6 weeks, my advice would be to see where 30 leaves you. Some docs take people from 30 directly to 60 in a couple of weeks, and this makes no sense to me, because it takes up to 8 weeks to "work" if it will work.
Be safe, take care.
#4
CrippledLongTime
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Posted 03 May 2008 - 11:13 AM
[CrippledLongTime - the package insert for Cymbalta clearly states that doses larger than 90mg are not proven to be effective. I have seen stories of people taking up to 120mg.
Personally, three times my old doctor tried to bump me up to 90 mg, each time, after the first dose of that, it felt like my head was going to blow off, mind blowing really scary headaches. I spent most of my time at 30 mg, with some time at 60 and I did not notice much of a difference in the drug working, nor did I have a hard time going from 60 to 30. It was when my old doc took me off cold turkey from 30 mg that my brains kind of fell to pieces.
About the withdrawals, I have noticed that many men tend to get over this quicker than women. Why? I don't know. My best guess is that we all have different chemical make-ups and that is why some people have no withdrawal at all, get over it in a few days, others a few weeks. Because we are all different.
I hope that you find some solace and peace, if you have not been on the 30 mg for at least 6 weeks, my advice would be to see where 30 leaves you. Some docs take people from 30 directly to 60 in a couple of weeks, and this makes no sense to me, because it takes up to 8 weeks to "work" if it will work.
Be safe, take care.[/quote]
Hi Sarah J,
Thank you for taking the time to reply. My Dr has already tried to bump me up to 60mg two times already but I refused. I wish I studied this drug before taking this stuff. I was on Lyric before Cymbalta but had gotten a bad skin rash which the doctor once again brush it aside even though the package insert stated clearly if you begin to have skin problems get off the drug right away. So he swithed me to Cymbalta. The Cymbalta has not touch any pain other than a leg pain I get at night so it's not even working well.
I found a web site I thought I would pass it on to you both. I posted as Peter Rabbit and asked about Cymbalta. Anonymous
Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Rabbit
I'm hearing a lot of bad news on Cymbalta and the problem of withdrawal. People hearing buzzing and all sort of weird sensations long after they have weaned off of the drug. Anybody else hear about these problems and other side effects like killing one's self.
The "buzzing and weird sensations" you are talking about is the norepinephrine. Effexor has the same problems because of the norepinephrine.
Patients can switch to fluoxetine for a few weeks to get everything out of their system, then stop completely.
Have not heard about the suicideality.
http://www.cafepharm... ... p?t=272866
Maybe this info would be of help to anyone here. Thank you both again for the help. It is rare these days to get a hand up instead ya get kicked down further. :|
Personally, three times my old doctor tried to bump me up to 90 mg, each time, after the first dose of that, it felt like my head was going to blow off, mind blowing really scary headaches. I spent most of my time at 30 mg, with some time at 60 and I did not notice much of a difference in the drug working, nor did I have a hard time going from 60 to 30. It was when my old doc took me off cold turkey from 30 mg that my brains kind of fell to pieces.
About the withdrawals, I have noticed that many men tend to get over this quicker than women. Why? I don't know. My best guess is that we all have different chemical make-ups and that is why some people have no withdrawal at all, get over it in a few days, others a few weeks. Because we are all different.
I hope that you find some solace and peace, if you have not been on the 30 mg for at least 6 weeks, my advice would be to see where 30 leaves you. Some docs take people from 30 directly to 60 in a couple of weeks, and this makes no sense to me, because it takes up to 8 weeks to "work" if it will work.
Be safe, take care.[/quote]
Hi Sarah J,
Thank you for taking the time to reply. My Dr has already tried to bump me up to 60mg two times already but I refused. I wish I studied this drug before taking this stuff. I was on Lyric before Cymbalta but had gotten a bad skin rash which the doctor once again brush it aside even though the package insert stated clearly if you begin to have skin problems get off the drug right away. So he swithed me to Cymbalta. The Cymbalta has not touch any pain other than a leg pain I get at night so it's not even working well.
I found a web site I thought I would pass it on to you both. I posted as Peter Rabbit and asked about Cymbalta. Anonymous
Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Rabbit
I'm hearing a lot of bad news on Cymbalta and the problem of withdrawal. People hearing buzzing and all sort of weird sensations long after they have weaned off of the drug. Anybody else hear about these problems and other side effects like killing one's self.
The "buzzing and weird sensations" you are talking about is the norepinephrine. Effexor has the same problems because of the norepinephrine.
Patients can switch to fluoxetine for a few weeks to get everything out of their system, then stop completely.
Have not heard about the suicideality.
http://www.cafepharm... ... p?t=272866
Maybe this info would be of help to anyone here. Thank you both again for the help. It is rare these days to get a hand up instead ya get kicked down further. :|
#5
CrippledLongTime
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Posted 03 May 2008 - 11:18 AM
norepinephrine
From: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | Date: 2008
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norepinephrine , a neurotransmitter in the catecholamine family that mediates chemical communication in the sympathetic nervous system, a branch of the autonomic nervous system. Like other neurotransmitters, it is released at synaptic nerve endings to transmit the signal from a nerve cell to other cells. Norepinephrine is almost identical in structure to epinephrine , which is released into the bloodstream from the adrenal medulla under sympathetic activation. The sympathetic nervous system functions in response to short-term stress; hence norepinephrine and epinephrine increase the heart rate as well as blood pressure. Other actions of norepinephrine include increased glycogenolysis (the conversion of glycogen to glucose ) in the liver, increased lipolysis (the conversion of fats to fatty acids; see fats and oils ) in adipose (fat) tissue, and relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle to open up the air passages to the lungs. All of these actions represent a mobilization of the body's resources in order to meet the stressful challenge—such a response is often termed the "flight or fight" syndrome.
From: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | Date: 2008
Print Digg del.icio.us
norepinephrine , a neurotransmitter in the catecholamine family that mediates chemical communication in the sympathetic nervous system, a branch of the autonomic nervous system. Like other neurotransmitters, it is released at synaptic nerve endings to transmit the signal from a nerve cell to other cells. Norepinephrine is almost identical in structure to epinephrine , which is released into the bloodstream from the adrenal medulla under sympathetic activation. The sympathetic nervous system functions in response to short-term stress; hence norepinephrine and epinephrine increase the heart rate as well as blood pressure. Other actions of norepinephrine include increased glycogenolysis (the conversion of glycogen to glucose ) in the liver, increased lipolysis (the conversion of fats to fatty acids; see fats and oils ) in adipose (fat) tissue, and relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle to open up the air passages to the lungs. All of these actions represent a mobilization of the body's resources in order to meet the stressful challenge—such a response is often termed the "flight or fight" syndrome.
#6
CrippledLongTime
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Posted 03 May 2008 - 11:23 AM
Imagine having to take another Eli Lilly drug Prozac! Notice the poster at the Cafe did not use the word Prozac. Well at least one may use the web site for some info.
Fluoxetine, Prozac
(floo ox' e teen)
Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed?
How should this medicine be used?
Other uses for this medicine
What special precautions should I follow?
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
In case of emergency/overdose
What other information should I know?
Brand names
IMPORTANT WARNING: Return to top
A small number of children, teenagers, and young adults (up to 24 years of age) who took antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as fluoxetine during clinical studies became suicidal (thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so). Children, teenagers, and young adults who take antidepressants to treat depression or other mental illnesses may be more likely to become suicidal than children, teenagers, and young adults who do not take antidepressants to treat these conditions. However, experts are not sure about how great this risk is and how much it should be considered in deciding whether a child or teenager should take an antidepressant.
You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways when you take fluoxetine or other antidepressants even if you are an adult over age 24. You may become suicidal, especially at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your dose is increased or decreased. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or killing yourself, or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; panic attacks; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; aggressive behavior; irritability; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; and frenzied abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
Your healthcare provider will want to see you often while you are taking fluoxetine, especially at the beginning of your treatment. Be sure to keep all appointments for office visits with your doctor.
The doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with fluoxetine. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You also can obtain the Medication Guide from the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/c... ... G_2007.pdf.
No matter your age, before you take an antidepressant, you, your parent, or your caregiver should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your condition with an antidepressant or with other treatments. You should also talk about the risks and benefits of not treating your condition. You should know that having depression or another mental illness greatly increases the risk that you will become suicidal. This risk is higher if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited) or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood) or has thought about or attempted suicide. Talk to your doctor about your condition, symptoms, and personal and family medical history. You and your doctor will decide what type of treatment is right for you.
Why is this medication prescribed? Return to top
Fluoxetine (Prozac) is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), some eating disorders, and panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Fluoxetine (Sarafem) is used to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness. Fluoxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
How should this medicine be used? Return to top
Fluoxetine (Prozac) comes as a capsule, a tablet, a delayed-release (long-acting) capsule, and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. Fluoxetine may be taken with or without food. Fluoxetine (Sarafem) comes as a capsule to take by mouth. Fluoxetine (Prozac) capsules, tablets, and liquid are usually taken once a day in the morning or twice a day, in the morning and at noon. Fluoxetine delayed-released capsules are usually taken once a week. Fluoxetine (Sarafem) is usually taken once a day, either every day of the month or on certain days of the month. Take fluoxetine at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fluoxetine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of fluoxetine and gradually increase your dose.
It may take 4 to 5 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of fluoxetine. Continue to take fluoxetine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking fluoxetine without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking fluoxetine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood changes, irritability, agitation, dizziness, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, anxiety, confusion, headache, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
Other uses for this medicine Return to top
Fluoxetine is also sometimes used to treat alcoholism, attention-deficit disorder, borderline personality disorder, sleep disorders, headaches, mental illness, posttraumatic stress disorder, Tourette's syndrome, obesity, sexual problems, and phobias. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow? Return to top
Before taking fluoxetine,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluoxetine or any other medications.
tell your doctor if you are taking pimozide (Orap),thioridazine or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you have stopped taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor within the past 2 weeks. Your doctor will probably tell you that you should not take fluoxetine. If you stop taking fluoxetine, you should wait at least 5 weeks before you begin to take thioridazine or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications and vitamins you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: alprazolam (Xanax); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants (mood elevators) such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); diazepam (Valium); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics (water pills), flecainide (Tambocor); insulin or oral medications for diabetes; lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for anxiety and Parkinson's disease; medications for mental illness such as clozapine (Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), and pimozide (Orap); medications for migraine headaches such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin); sedatives; sibutramine (Meridia); sleeping pills; tramadol (Ultram); tranquilizers; and vinblastine (Velban). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor what nutritional supplements you are taking, especially products that contain St. John's wort or tryptophan.
tell your doctor if you are being treated with electroshock therapy (procedure in which small electric shocks are administered to the brain to treat certain mental illnesses), if you have recently had a heart attack and if you have or have ever had diabetes, seizures, or liver or heart disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fluoxetine, call your doctor.
you should know that fluoxetine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
What should I do if I forget a dose? Return to top
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause? Return to top
Fluoxetine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
nervousness
nausea
dry mouth
sore throat
drowsiness
weakness
uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
loss of appetite
weight loss
changes in sex drive or ability
excessive sweating
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
rash
hives
fever
joint pain
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
difficulty breathing or swallowing
seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
seizures
Fluoxetine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? Return to top
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose Return to top
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
unsteadiness
confusion
unresponsiveness
nervousness
uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
dizziness
rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
fever
fainting
coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
What other information should I know? Return to top
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Last Revised - 02/01/2008
Fluoxetine, Prozac
(floo ox' e teen)
Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed?
How should this medicine be used?
Other uses for this medicine
What special precautions should I follow?
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
In case of emergency/overdose
What other information should I know?
Brand names
IMPORTANT WARNING: Return to top
A small number of children, teenagers, and young adults (up to 24 years of age) who took antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as fluoxetine during clinical studies became suicidal (thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so). Children, teenagers, and young adults who take antidepressants to treat depression or other mental illnesses may be more likely to become suicidal than children, teenagers, and young adults who do not take antidepressants to treat these conditions. However, experts are not sure about how great this risk is and how much it should be considered in deciding whether a child or teenager should take an antidepressant.
You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways when you take fluoxetine or other antidepressants even if you are an adult over age 24. You may become suicidal, especially at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your dose is increased or decreased. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or killing yourself, or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; panic attacks; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; aggressive behavior; irritability; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; and frenzied abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
Your healthcare provider will want to see you often while you are taking fluoxetine, especially at the beginning of your treatment. Be sure to keep all appointments for office visits with your doctor.
The doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with fluoxetine. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You also can obtain the Medication Guide from the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/c... ... G_2007.pdf.
No matter your age, before you take an antidepressant, you, your parent, or your caregiver should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your condition with an antidepressant or with other treatments. You should also talk about the risks and benefits of not treating your condition. You should know that having depression or another mental illness greatly increases the risk that you will become suicidal. This risk is higher if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited) or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood) or has thought about or attempted suicide. Talk to your doctor about your condition, symptoms, and personal and family medical history. You and your doctor will decide what type of treatment is right for you.
Why is this medication prescribed? Return to top
Fluoxetine (Prozac) is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), some eating disorders, and panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Fluoxetine (Sarafem) is used to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness. Fluoxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
How should this medicine be used? Return to top
Fluoxetine (Prozac) comes as a capsule, a tablet, a delayed-release (long-acting) capsule, and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. Fluoxetine may be taken with or without food. Fluoxetine (Sarafem) comes as a capsule to take by mouth. Fluoxetine (Prozac) capsules, tablets, and liquid are usually taken once a day in the morning or twice a day, in the morning and at noon. Fluoxetine delayed-released capsules are usually taken once a week. Fluoxetine (Sarafem) is usually taken once a day, either every day of the month or on certain days of the month. Take fluoxetine at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fluoxetine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of fluoxetine and gradually increase your dose.
It may take 4 to 5 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of fluoxetine. Continue to take fluoxetine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking fluoxetine without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking fluoxetine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood changes, irritability, agitation, dizziness, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, anxiety, confusion, headache, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
Other uses for this medicine Return to top
Fluoxetine is also sometimes used to treat alcoholism, attention-deficit disorder, borderline personality disorder, sleep disorders, headaches, mental illness, posttraumatic stress disorder, Tourette's syndrome, obesity, sexual problems, and phobias. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow? Return to top
Before taking fluoxetine,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluoxetine or any other medications.
tell your doctor if you are taking pimozide (Orap),thioridazine or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you have stopped taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor within the past 2 weeks. Your doctor will probably tell you that you should not take fluoxetine. If you stop taking fluoxetine, you should wait at least 5 weeks before you begin to take thioridazine or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications and vitamins you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: alprazolam (Xanax); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants (mood elevators) such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); diazepam (Valium); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics (water pills), flecainide (Tambocor); insulin or oral medications for diabetes; lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for anxiety and Parkinson's disease; medications for mental illness such as clozapine (Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), and pimozide (Orap); medications for migraine headaches such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin); sedatives; sibutramine (Meridia); sleeping pills; tramadol (Ultram); tranquilizers; and vinblastine (Velban). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor what nutritional supplements you are taking, especially products that contain St. John's wort or tryptophan.
tell your doctor if you are being treated with electroshock therapy (procedure in which small electric shocks are administered to the brain to treat certain mental illnesses), if you have recently had a heart attack and if you have or have ever had diabetes, seizures, or liver or heart disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fluoxetine, call your doctor.
you should know that fluoxetine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
What should I do if I forget a dose? Return to top
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause? Return to top
Fluoxetine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
nervousness
nausea
dry mouth
sore throat
drowsiness
weakness
uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
loss of appetite
weight loss
changes in sex drive or ability
excessive sweating
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
rash
hives
fever
joint pain
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
difficulty breathing or swallowing
seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
seizures
Fluoxetine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? Return to top
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose Return to top
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
unsteadiness
confusion
unresponsiveness
nervousness
uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
dizziness
rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
fever
fainting
coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
What other information should I know? Return to top
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Last Revised - 02/01/2008
#7
CrippledLongTime
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- Members
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- 7 posts
Newbie
Posted 04 May 2008 - 01:36 PM
Hi Greybeard hope all is well. The best thing these days is trust no one but yourself when taking any medication from anyone. That is hard at times when your ailment is coming down on you though. I know CafePharma is the reps. I was playing a little bit and then showed my cards Got a couple of ideas at least 
Got a couple of ideas at least
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