Fluoxetine Dispersible 20mg

Arrow-Fluoxetine general information

What is Arrow-Fluoxetine used for?

Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg are used to treat depression and symptoms of depressive illness, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg are also used to treat other mood disorders that affect daily activities and relationships with others including, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder in adults and children; also, bulimia nervosa (psychiatric eating disorder ) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome.

How does Arrow-Fluoxetine work?

Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg contain fluoxetine which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).  Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg act in the brain to correct the chemical imbalance that is thought to be one of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders, particularly a lack of serotonin (a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) which controls many body activities, including regulating mood.  Fluoxetine in Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg block the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, which is the gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent from one nerve cell to another.  If the re-uptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) is blocked, this means that there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), which allows nerve cells to communicate with each other for longer.  The action of Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg helps relieve symptoms of depression and other mood disorders by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, which in turn increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.  Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg are formulated for easy dispersion and can be swallowed whole or in suspension if you have difficulty swallowing tablets.

What does Arrow-Fluoxetine contain?

Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg contain the active ingredient fluoxetine which is an SSRI antidepressant used to treat symptoms of depression.  They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate.

Treating depression with Arrow-Fluoxetine

Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg contain fluoxetine, which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of depression, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  One of the major causes of depression is thought to be a lack of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) that controls mood.  Arrow-Fluoxetine works by specifically blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other.  By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of depression.  

Arrow-Fluoxetine bulimia nervosa

Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg contain fluoxetine, which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of bulimia nervosa, which is an psychiatric eating disorder that involves binge eating in response to an stress, depression or anxiety, followed by compensatory behaviour, usually induced vomiting.  One of the causes this type of anxiety behaviour seen in bulimia nervosa is thought to be low levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) and if there is a lack of serotonin, the brain cells involved in nerve pathways that control mood changes generate feelings of anxiety and panic instead of well-being, which is associated with high levels of serotonin.  Fluoxetine in Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other.  By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of bulimia nervosa.

Arrow-Fluoxetine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg contain fluoxetine which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), including intrusive unwanted repetitive thoughts and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions, such as hand-washing or counting, to try and prevent some imagined dreaded event.  One of the major causes of OCD is thought to be low levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) and if there is a lack of serotonin, the brain cells involved in nerve pathways that control mood changes generate feelings of anxiety and panic instead of well-being, which is associated with high levels of serotonin.  Fluoxetine in Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cells to communicate with each other.  By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of OC

What are the side effects of Arrow-Fluoxetine?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg are generally mild and transient and usually disappear with continued treatment. They include: headache, unsteadiness when walking, tremors, decreased or loss of appetite, change in taste, dry mouth, diarrhoea, nausea, sleeplessness, unusual dreams, fatigue, drowsiness, increased sweating, sexual problems, impaired concentration. 

When should Arrow-Fluoxetine not be used?

You should not use Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg if you:

• are allergic to fluoxetine or any ingredients in Arrow-Fluoxetine
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• are taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications as these can cause serious reactions if taken with Arrow-Fluoxetine or within 14 days of taking Arrow-Fluoxetine
• are taking medication that affects blood clotting as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Arrow-Fluoxetine
• taking other medication that interact with Arrow-Fluoxetine, including: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, the analgesic tramadol, tryptophan, or phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), migraine medicines like sumatriptan, the antipsychotic pimozide, herbal remedies containing St. John´s Wort

What medications interact with Arrow-Fluoxetine?

Several medications interact with Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Arrow-Fluoxetine or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Arrow-Fluoxetine: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression; serotonergic drugs like the analgesic tramadol, as these may increase risk of serotonin syndrome
• Drugs that affect Arrow-Fluoxetine: lithium for depression; tryptophan or lithium (mood alteration); phentermine (weight-reducing medicines); migraine medication like sumatriptan; St John's wort, a herbal remedy used to treat mood disorders; cimetidine for reflux and ulcers
• Drugs that are affected by Arrow-Fluoxetine: phenytoin for epilepsy; the antipsychotic pimozide; the anticoagulant warfarin; clozapine for schizophrenia; sedatives like diazepam; tolbutamide for diabetes 

How should Arrow-Fluoxetine be taken?

You should take your Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg swallowed whole, with a glass of water, with or without food usually once a day, at the same time each day, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations.  Alternatively you can dissolve your dispersible tablets 20mg in glass with 100ml water, swirl the glass to ensure the tablet is fully dispersed then immediately swallow the whole contents of the glass.  Your doctor may increase your dose, depending on what you are being treated for.  You should continue to take your Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg for as long as recommend by your doctor, which may be for several weeks or months.

How long should you take Arrow-Fluoxetine?

You should continue to take your Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg for as long as recommend by your doctor, which may be for several weeks or months.

Missed dose of Arrow-Fluoxetine

If you miss a dose of Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Arrow-Fluoxetine be stored?

You should store your Arrow-Fluoxetine dispersible tablets 20mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.