Before Using This medicine: Do not take fluoxetine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take fluoxetine if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine before taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Before taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease; have kidney disease; have diabetes; suffer from seizures; or suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts. Do not take fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant, could become pregnant, or are breast-feeding during treatment.

Other Medical Problems: Fluoxetine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether fluoxetine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Fluoxetine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take fluoxetine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Proper Use of This Medicine: Take one tablet every morning.

Precautions While Using This Medicine: Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Fluoxetine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness while taking fluoxetine.

Side Effects of This Medicine: Stop taking fluoxetine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment if your experience any of the following: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); an irregular heartbeat or pulse; low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); chills or fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; a rash or hives. If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking fluoxetine and talk to your doctor: headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; difficulty concentrating; nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.