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It may take 4 to 5 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of fluoxetine. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of fluoxetine and gradually increase your dose. Swallow the delayed-release capsules whole do not cut, crush, or chew them. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fluoxetine at around the same time(s) every day. Fluoxetine delayed-released capsules are usually taken once a week. Fluoxetine capsules, tablets, and liquid are usually taken once a day in the morning or twice a day in the morning and at noon. Fluoxetine may be taken with or without food. You and your doctor will decide what type of treatment is right for you.įluoxetine comes as a capsule, a tablet, a delayed-release (releases the medication in the intestine) capsule, and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. Talk to your doctor about your condition, symptoms, and personal and family medical history. 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. You should know that having depression or another mental illness greatly increases the risk that you will become suicidal.

You should also talk about the risks and benefits of not treating your condition. 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 also can obtain the Medication Guide from the FDA website. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. The doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with fluoxetine. Be sure to keep all appointments for office visits with your doctor. Your healthcare provider will want to see you often while you are taking fluoxetine, especially at the beginning of your treatment. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own. 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. You may become suicidal, especially at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your dose is increased or decreased. 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 24 years of age. 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. 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. 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).

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