PRECAUTIONS: Before taking fluoxetine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, stomach bleeding, diabetes, seizure disorder. Though uncommon, depression can lead to thoughts or attempts of suicide. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any suicidal thoughts, worsening depression, or any other mental/mood changes (including new or worsening anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, rapid speech). Keep all medical appointments so your healthcare professional can monitor your progress closely and adjust/change your medication if needed. If you have diabetes, fluoxetine may affect your blood glucose levels. Monitor your blood glucose regularly, and share the results with your doctor. The dose of your anti-diabetic medication(s) may need to be adjusted. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially drowsiness. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. If this medication is used during the last 3 months of pregnancy, infrequently your newborn may develop symptoms including feeding or breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, jitteriness or constant crying. However, do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor directs you to do so. Report any such symptoms to your doctor promptly. Fluoxetine passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding while taking this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Certain medications taken with this product could result in serious, possibly fatal, drug interactions. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine) with or within 2 weeks of starting fluoxetine or at least 5 weeks after stopping it. Also avoid taking thioridazine with this medication or within 5 weeks after stopping treatment. Consult your doctor for more information. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious (possibly fatal) interactions may occur: astemizole, terfenadine. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting fluoxetine. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: certain anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, buspirone), other SSRI anti-depressants (e.g., citalopram, sertraline), tricyclic anti-depressants (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine), other anti-depressant drugs (e.g., nefazodone, trazodone, venlafaxine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin), atomoxetine, dextromethorphan, certain herbal products (e.g., ayahuasca, St John's wort), isoniazid, lithium, meperidine, drugs to treat migraines (e.g., ergotamine, "triptans" such as sumatriptan), pentazocine, psychiatric medications (e.g., aripiprazole, clozapine, haloperidol, pimozide, risperidone), tramadol, tryptophan, weight loss drugs (e.g., sibutramine, phentermine), drugs removed from your system by certain liver enzymes (CYP 2D6 substrates such as amphetamines, flecainide, metoprolol, propafenone, vinblastine), other drugs which can cause bleeding/bruising (e.g., thrombolytic drugs such as TPA, anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin, antiplatelet drugs including NSAIDs such as ibuprofen). Low-dose aspirin (usually 81-325 mg per day) for heart attack or stroke prevention should be continued unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Aspirin is similar to NSAID drugs, and can increase the risk of bleeding in combination with this medication (see above). Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), tranquilizers. Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully (e.g., cough-and-cold products, pain relievers/fever reducers) for ingredients which may increase the risk of side effects. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.