Fluoxetine is an antidepressant medication that belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug class. According to Drugs.com, fluoxetine affects serotonin, a chemical in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression. Drugs.com also states that fluoxetine may be prescribed for panic disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The Mayo Clinic adds that fluoxetine is commonly combined with olanzapine to treat bipolar disorder. Any patient taking fluoxetine should be aware of the possible associated side effects and know what to do if they occur.
Confusion
Fluoxetine may cause confusion, according to Drugs.com. This occurs because serotonin, the chemical affected by fluoxetine, plays a role in alertness and orientation. Therefore, altering serotonin can lead to confusion. A patient taking fluoxetine should be aware of who he is, where he is at, what day it is and what is currently going on in the surrounding environment. If there is difficulty answering these questions, he should call or have someone else call his doctor for proper treatment. This patient should seek immediate medical attention if he loses consciousness.
Upset Stomach
Fluoxetine may cause an upset stomach, according to Drugs.com. This occurs because fluoxetine alters chemical signals in your digestive tract that regulate digestion. Altering the levels of these chemicals can result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite or constipation, states Drugs.com. In this case, a patient should avoid taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Instead, he should see his doctor for a change in dosage of fluoxetine or for a prescription for a medication that does not cause these effects.
Rash
Drugs.com further states that fluoxetine may cause a skin rash. This may manifest as hives, itching, blistering or peeling of the patient's skin. Creams should not be used to treat this side effect before this symptom is properly diagnosed by a doctor. Any patient experiencing difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat should seek immediate medical treatment, because he may be having a serious reaction to fluoxetine.
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