Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking fluoxetine as follows:
- Fluoxetine use, especially on empty stomach, can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea and vomiting. Taking dose of fluoxetine with a glass of water, after having some food or a snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication.
- Fluoxetine use can induce extreme diarrhea. Proper hydration measures and compliance with daily fluid intake and rehydration measures recommended can help with relief from fluid and electrolyte loss secondary to diarrhea. If you experience any further bothersome diarrhea, report it to your physician for any further measures to be considered.
- Fluoxetine use can sometimes increase the risk for deterioration and worsening of clinical symptoms of mood disorders. Continue taking fluoxetine, as recommended, even if your mood feels better and discontinuing the medication abruptly, without your physician’s recommendation, can result in disruption of chemical balance in the brain, resulting in worsening of mood disorder and severe withdrawal symptoms. Individuals can present with complaints such as, feeling low, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, gross appetite changes, impulsiveness, agitation, aggression, hallucinations, mania, and suicidal thoughts. Report any deterioration of symptoms of mood disorder immediately to your physician, so that, a dose change or change in plan of care could be considered.
