fluoxetine

Question 1

what type of drug is fluoxetine?

Answer 1

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Question 2

what is another name for fluoxetine?

Answer 2

prozac

Question 3

what is the other name for serotonin and what does it have positive effects on?

Answer 3

5-hydroxytryptamine and emotion, sleep and mood

Question 4

mechanism of action of fluoxetine?

Answer 4

5-HT is usually reabsorbed by the nerve cells (known as reuptake), fluoxetine inhibits the reuptake and therefore theres more 5-HT available in between the nerve cells.

Question 5

what is the contraindication of fluoxetine?

Answer 5

poorly controlled epilepsy

Question 6

what are examples of common unwanted side effects?

Answer 6

insomnia, diziness, diarrhoea/ constipation, fatigue, decreased sex drive, sweating, tremors.

Question 7

what is the treatment cessation for fluoxetine?

Answer 7

withdrawal= headache, anxiety, GI disturbances, tinnitus, influenza like symptoms, fatigue. symptoms can start within 5 days and increases if been taking for less than 8 weeks.

Question 8

what patient/ carer advice would you give?

Answer 8

2-4 weeks to work, shouldn’t drink alcohol as increases sedation, leads to dangerous situations. Decrease dose slowly when stopping and decrease risk of rebound depression. Informed management of how to take dispersible tablets.