Magrilan
Drug name: Magrilan
Other names used:
- Prozac®
- Sarafem®
Active Ingredients:
fluoxetine
Therapeutic actions: Fluoxetine is part of a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs for short. SSRIs, such as fluoxetine, act on a specific chemical within the brain known as serotonin. Serotonin is one of several chemicals used to send messages from one nerve cell to another.
As a message travels down a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release serotonin. The serotonin enters the gap between the first nerve cell and the one next to it. When enough serotonin reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell and the message continues on its way. The first cell then quickly absorbs any serotonin that remains in the gap between cells. This is called "reuptake."
Normally, this process works without any problems. When the levels of serotonin become unbalanced, however, it can cause a variety of conditions, including depression. Fluoxetine helps to block the reuptake of serotonin so more serotonin remains in the space between the brain's nerve cells. This gives the serotonin a better chance of activating the receptors on the next nerve cell.
Indications:
- Depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bulimia
- Panic disorder.
Contraindications and cautions:
You should not use this medication in:
- People who have taken a monoamine-oxidase inhibitor Antidepressant (MAOI) in the last 14 days.
- Manic episodes.
- Uncontrolled epilepsy.
- Uncontrolled seizure disorders, eg due to brain injury.
You should use Magrilan with caution in:
- Elderly people.
- Children and adolescents.
- Young adults.
- History of suicidal behaviour or thoughts.
- History of mania, hypomania or manic depression (bipolar affective disorder).
- People also receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
- People taking antipsychotic medicines.
- Decreased liver function.
- Heart disease.
- Diabetes.
- Epilepsy.
- History of seizures.
- History of bleeding disorders.
- People taking medicines that affect blood clotting (eg anticoagulants such as warfarin - see end of factsheet for more information).
Warning.
This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.
It is recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
SSRI Antidepressants have been associated with the development of unpleasant or distressing restlessness and the need to move, often accompanied by an inability to sit or stand still. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment. If you experience these symptoms you should consult your doctor.
Antidepressants may cause the amount of sodium in the blood to drop - a condition called hyponatraemia. This can cause symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, muscle twitching or convulsions. Elderly people may be particularly susceptible to this effect. You should consult your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms while taking this medicine, so that your blood sodium level can be checked if necessary.
You should avoid suddenly stopping this medicine, as suddenly stopping SSRIs can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea, pins and needles, dizziness and anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms are temporary and are not due to addiction or dependence on the medicine. They are rare with fluoxetine, because it remains in your blood for a few weeks after you stop taking it, and its blood level naturally decreases slowly over time. However, you should follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist when it is time to stop treatment.
If you experience seizures (convulsions or fits) while taking this medicine, consult your doctor immediately, as you will need to stop treatment with this medicine. This also applies if you suffer from epilepsy and experience more seizures than normal after starting this medicine.
Consult your doctor if you develop a skin rash or other unexplained allergic reaction while taking this medicine.
Adverse effects: Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- nervousness
- nausea
- dry mouth
- sore throat
- drowsiness
- weakness
- uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- changes in sex drive or ability
- excessive sweating
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms , call your doctor immediately:
- rash
- hives
- fever
- joint pain
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
- seizures
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
Especially pay attention to the following side effects:
alprazolam (Xanax); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants (mood elevators) such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); diazepam (Valium); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics (water pills), flecainide (Tambocor); insulin or oral medications for diabetes; lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for anxiety and Parkinson's disease; medications for mental illness such as clozapine (Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), and pimozide (Orap); medications for migraine headaches such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin); sedatives; sleeping pills; tramadol (Ultram); tranquilizers; and vinblastine (Velban). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.
