About Prodep 20 Capsule
Prodep 20 Capsule contains Fluoxetine 20 mg. Fluoxetine is an antidepressant from the SSRI group. It is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa and panic disorder. It usually takes a few weeks to start helping. It should not be stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Uses of Prodep 20 Capsule
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder)
- Panic disorder
Benefits
In depression and anxiety-related conditions
It can improve mood, sleep, appetite and energy, and reduce anxious or obsessive thoughts. Improvement is usually gradual over several weeks of regular use.
Side effects
Many side effects are worse in the first couple of weeks and then ease. Tell your doctor if they bother you; do not stop suddenly.
Common
- Nausea
- Headache
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling nervous or restless
- Diarrhoea
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Reduced appetite
- Sexual problems
Get medical help if you notice
- New or worse thoughts of suicide or self-harm, especially in people under 25 or after a dose change — contact your doctor straight away or seek emergency help
- Agitation, shivering, muscle twitching, high temperature and fast heartbeat (possible serotonin syndrome) — seek emergency care
- Unusually high mood, racing thoughts or reckless behaviour — contact your doctor
- Unusual bleeding or bruising, or black stools — contact your doctor
- Fits (seizures), or a rash with swelling or blistering — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually in the morning. Swallow the capsule whole with water, with or without food.
How it works
It blocks the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin by nerve cells in the brain. This raises serotonin levels, a chemical messenger that helps regulate mood and anxiety.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It can worsen depression and add to side effects such as drowsiness.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Do not stop it on your own; talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
Fluoxetine passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before breastfeeding.
Driving Caution
It may affect your judgement or make you drowsy. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Kidney Caution
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Your doctor may lower the dose or give it less often if you have liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember the same day. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Give it at least 2 to 4 weeks to start working.
- Do not stop it suddenly; your doctor will advise how to stop.
- Tell someone close to you that you have started it, and ask them to tell you if your mood or behaviour seems worse.
- Avoid alcohol and check with your pharmacist before taking new medicines, including painkillers and herbal remedies.
- Tell your doctor if you have had seizures, bipolar disorder or bleeding problems.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Phenylpropylamine derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Neuro / psychiatric
- Action class
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| MAO inhibitor antidepressants, linezolid and methylene blue | Risk of serious serotonin syndrome; must not be taken together, and long gaps are needed when switching |
| Tramadol, triptans, other antidepressants and St John's wort | Increase the risk of serotonin syndrome |
| Aspirin, NSAIDs and blood thinners such as warfarin | Increase the risk of bleeding |
| Pimozide, thioridazine and other medicines that affect heart rhythm | Risk of dangerous heart rhythm problems |
| Tamoxifen | Fluoxetine may reduce how well tamoxifen works |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Fluoxetine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); US FDA labelling for fluoxetine, including boxed warning on suicidality). Pharmacist review pending.