4.1. Therapeutic indications

Adults:

Major depressive disorders/episodes.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Bulimia nervosa: Fluoxetine is indicated as a complement of psychotherapy for the reduction of binge-eating and purging activity.

Children and Adolescents Aged 8 Years and Above:

Moderate to severe major depressive episode, if depression is unresponsive to psychological therapy after 4-6 sessions. Antidepressant medication should be offered to a child or young person with moderate to severe depression only in combination with a concurrent psychological therapy.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Adults

Major depressive disorders/episodes

Adults and the elderly: A dose of 20 mg/day is recommended. Dosage should be reviewed and adjusted if necessary, within 3 to 4 weeks of initiation of therapy and thereafter as judged clinically appropriate. Although there may be an increased potential for undesirable effects at higher doses, in some patients, with insufficient response to 20mg, the dose may be increased gradually up to a maximum of 60mg (see section 5.1). Dosage adjustments should be made carefully on an individual patient basis, to maintain the patients at the lowest effective dose.

Patients with depression should be treated for a sufficient period of at least 6 months to ensure that they are free from symptoms.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Adults and the elderly: The recommended dose is 20mg daily. Although there may be an increased potential for undesirable effects at higher doses, in some patients, if after two weeks there is insufficient response to 20mg, the dose may be increased gradually up to a maximum of 60mg.

If no improvement is observed within 10 weeks, treatment with fluoxetine should be reconsidered. If a good therapeutic response has been obtained, treatment can be continued at a dosage adjusted on an individual basis. While there are no systematic studies to answer the question of how long to continue fluoxetine treatment, OCD is a chronic condition and it is reasonable to consider continuation beyond 10 weeks in responding patients. Dosage adjustments should be made carefully on an individual patient basis, to maintain the patient at the lowest effective dose. The need for treatment should be reassessed periodically. Some clinicians advocate concomitant behavioural psychotherapy for patients who have done well on pharmacotherapy.

Long-term efficacy (more than 24 weeks) has not been demonstrated in OCD.

Bulimia nervosa

Adults and the elderly: A dose of 60 mg/day is recommended. Long-term efficacy (more than 3 months) has not been demonstrated in bulimia nervosa.

All indications: Adults: The recommended dose may be increased or decreased. Doses above 80mg/day have not been systematically evaluated.

Paediatric population - Children and adolescents aged 8 years and above (moderate to severe major depressive episode):

Treatment should be initiated and monitored under specialist supervision. The starting dose is 10mg/day given as 2.5ml of the FLUOXETINE liquid formulation. Dose adjustments should be made carefully, on an individual basis, to maintain the patient at the lowest effective dose.

After one to two weeks, the dose may be increased to 20mg/day. Clinical trial experience with daily doses greater than 20mg is minimal. There is only limited data on treatment beyond 9 weeks.

Lower-weight children: Due to higher plasma levels in lower-weight children, the therapeutic effect may be achieved with lower doses (see section 5.2).

For paediatric patients who respond to treatment, the need for continued treatment after 6 months should be reviewed. If no clinical benefit is achieved within 9 weeks, treatment should be reconsidered.

Elderly patients: Caution is recommended when increasing the dose, and the daily dose should generally not exceed 40mg. Maximum recommended dose is 60mg/day.

Hepatic impairment: A lower or less frequent dose (eg, 20mg every second day) should be considered in patients with hepatic impairment (see section 5.2), or in patients where concomitant medication has the potential for interaction with FLUOXETINE (see section 4.5).

Withdrawal symptoms seen on discontinuation of FLUOXETINE: Abrupt discontinuation should be avoided. When stopping treatment with FLUOXETINE the dose should be gradually reduced over a period of at least one to two weeks in order to reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions (see section 4.4 and section 4.8). If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose, but at a more gradual rate.

Method of administration

Fluoxetine capsules are meant for oral administration in adults only. Fluoxetine may be administered as a single or divided dose, during or between meals.

When dosing is stopped, active drug substances will persist in the body for weeks. This should be borne in mind when starting or stopping treatment.

The capsule and oral solution forms are bioequivalent.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Fluoxetine is contra-indicated in combination with irreversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. iproniazid) (see sections 4.4 and 4.5).

Fluoxetine is contra-indicated in combination with metoprolol used in cardiac failure (see section 4.5).

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Paediatric population - Children and adolescents under 18 years of age

Suicide-related behaviours (suicide attempt and suicidal thoughts) and hostility (predominantly aggression, oppositional behaviour and anger) were more frequently observed in clinical trials among children and adolescents treated with antidepressants compared to those treated with placebo. FLUOXETINE should only be used in children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years for the treatment of moderate to severe major depressive episodes and it should not be used in other indications. If, based on clinical need, a decision to treat is nevertheless taken, the patient should be carefully monitored for the appearance of suicidal symptoms. In addition, only limited evidence is available concerning long-term effect on safety in children and adolescents, including effects on growth, sexual maturation and cognitive, emotional and behavioural developments (see section 5.3).

In a 19-week clinical trial, decreased height and weight gain was observed in children and adolescents treated with fluoxetine (see section 5.1). It has not been established whether there is an effect on achieving normal adult height. The possibility of a delay in puberty cannot be ruled out (see sections 5.3 and 4.8). Growth and pubertal development (height, weight, and TANNER staging) should therefore be monitored during and after treatment with fluoxetine. If either is slowed, referral to a paediatrician should be considered.

In paediatric trials, mania and hypomania were commonly reported (see section 4.8). Therefore, regular monitoring for the occurrence of mania/hypomania is recommended. Fluoxetine should be discontinued in any patient entering a manic phase.

It is important that the prescriber discusses carefully the risks and benefits of treatment with the child/young person and/or their parents.

Rash and allergic reactions:

Rash, anaphylactoid events and progressive systemic events, sometimes serious (involving skin, kidney, liver or lung) have been reported. Upon the appearance of rash or of other allergic phenomena for which an alternative aetiology cannot be identified, fluoxetine should be discontinued.

Seizures:

Seizures are a potential risk with antidepressant drugs. Therefore, as with other antidepressants, fluoxetine should be introduced cautiously in patients who have a history of seizures. Treatment should be discontinued in any patient who develops seizures or where there is an increase in seizure frequency. Fluoxetine should be avoided in patients with unstable seizure disorders/epilepsy and patients with controlled epilepsy should be carefully monitored (see section 4.5).

Mania: Antidepressants should be used with caution in patients with a history of mania/hypomania. As with all antidepressants, fluoxetine should be discontinued in any patient entering a manic phase

Hepatic/Renal function: Fluoxetine is extensively metabolised by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. A lower dose, e.g., alternate day dosing, is recommended in patients with significant hepatic dysfunction When given fluoxetine 20mg/day for 2 months, patients with severe renal failure (GFR <10ml/min) requiring dialysis showed no difference in plasma levels of fluoxetine or norfluoxetine compared to controls with normal renal function.

Tamoxifen: Fluoxetine, a potent inhibitor of CYP2D6, may lead to reduced concentrations of endoxifen, one of the most important active metabolites of tamoxifen. Therefore, fluoxetine should whenever possible be avoided during tamoxifen treatment (see section 4.5).

Cardiac disease: Clinical experience in acute cardiac disease is limited, therefore caution is advisable. However, the ECG of 312 patients who received fluoxetine in double blind trials were retrospectively evaluated; no conduction abnormalities that resulted in heart block were observed.

Weight loss: Weight loss may occur in patients taking fluoxetine but it is usually proportional to baseline body weight.

Diabetes: Fluoxetine may alter glycaemic control in patients with diabetes. Hypoglycaemia has been reported during therapy with fluoxetine and hyperglycaemia has developed following discontinuation. In such situations, the dosage of insulin and/or oral hypoglycaemic agents may need to be adjusted.

Suicide/suicidal thoughts or clinical worsening:

Depression is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, self harm and suicide (suicide‑related events). This risk persists until significant remission occurs. As improvement may not occur during the first few weeks or more of treatment, patients should be closely monitored until such improvement occurs. It is general clinical experience that the risk of suicide may increase in the early stages of recovery.

Other psychiatric conditions for which fluoxetine is prescribed can also be associated with an increased risk of suicide‑related events. In addition, these conditions may be co‑morbid with major depressive disorder. The same precautions observed when treating patients with major depressive disorder should therefore be observed when treating patients with other psychiatric disorders.

Patients with a history of suicide‑related events, or those exhibiting a significant degree of suicidal ideation prior to commencement of treatment are known to be at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts, and should receive careful monitoring during treatment. A meta‑analysis of placebo‑controlled clinical trials of antidepressant drugs in adult patients with psychiatric disorders showed an increased risk of suicidal behaviour with antidepressants compared to placebo in patients less than 25 years old.

Close supervision of patients and in particular those at high risk should accompany drug therapy especially in early treatment and following dose changes.

Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be alerted about the need to monitor for any clinical worsening, suicidal behaviour or thoughts and unusual changes in behaviour and to seek medical advice immediately if these symptoms present.

Akathisia/psychomotor restlessness: The use of fluoxetine has been associated with the development of akathisia, characterised by a subjectively unpleasant or distressing restlessness and 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. In patients who develop these symptoms, increasing the dose may be detrimental.

Withdrawal symptoms seen on discontinuation of SSRI treatment: Withdrawal symptoms when treatment is discontinued are common, particularly if discontinuation is abrupt (see section 4.8). In clinical trials, adverse events seen on treatment discontinuation occurred in approximately 60% of patients in both the fluoxetine and placebo groups. Of these adverse events, 17% in the fluoxetine group and 12% in the placebo group were severe in nature.

The risk of withdrawal symptoms may be dependent on several factors, including the duration and dose of therapy and the rate of dose reduction. Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), asthenia, agitation or anxiety, nausea and/or vomiting, tremor, and headache are the most commonly reported reactions. Generally, these symptoms are mild to moderate; however, in some patients they may be severe in intensity. They usually occur within the first few days of discontinuing treatment. Generally, these symptoms are self-limiting and usually resolve within 2 weeks, though in some individuals they may be prolonged (2-3 months or more). It is therefore advised that FLUOXETINE should be gradually tapered when discontinuing treatment over a period of at least one to two weeks, according to the patient's needs (see 'Withdrawal symptoms seen on discontinuation of FLUOXETINE', section 4.2).

Haemorrhage: There have been reports of cutaneous bleeding abnormalities, such as ecchymosis and purpura with SSRIs. Ecchymosis has been reported as an infrequent event during treatment with fluoxetine. Other haemorrhagic manifestations (eg, gynaecological haemorrhages, gastro-intestinal bleedings and other cutaneous or mucous bleedings) have been reported rarely. Caution is advised in patients taking SSRIs, particularly in concomitant use with oral anticoagulants, drugs known to affect platelet function (eg, atypical antipsychotics, such as clozapine, phenothiazines, most TCAs, aspirin, NSAIDs), or other drugs that may increase risk of bleeding, as well as in patients with a history of bleeding disorders (see section 4.5).

SSRIs/SNRIs may increase the risk of postpartum haemorrhage (see sections 4.6, 4.8).

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): There have been rare reports of prolonged seizures in patients on fluoxetine receiving ECT treatment; therefore, caution is advisable.

St John's Wort: An increase in serotonergic effects, such as serotonin syndrome, may occur when selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and herbal preparations containing St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) are used together.

Serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like events: On rare occasions, development of a serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like events have been reported in association with treatment of fluoxetine, particularly when given in combination with other serotonergic (among others, L-tryptophan) and/or neuroleptic drugs. As these syndromes may result in potentially life-threatening conditions, treatment with fluoxetine should be discontinued if such events (characterised by clusters of symptoms, such as hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, autonomic instability with possible rapid fluctuations of vital signs, mental status changes, including confusion, irritability, extreme agitation, progressing to delirium and coma) occur and supportive symptomatic treatment should be initiated.

Concomitant administration of serotonergic agents, such as MAO inhibitors, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants, and buprenorphine-containing medicinal products may result in serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition (see section 4.5).

If concomitant treatment with buprenorphine-containing medicinal products is clinically warranted, careful observation of the patient is advised, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental-status changes, autonomic instability, neuromuscular abnormalities, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms.

If serotonin syndrome is suspected, a dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy should be considered depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Cardiovascular Effects: Cases of QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia including torsades de pointes have been reported during the post-marketing period (see section 4.5, 4.8 and 4.9).

Fluoxetine should be used with caution in patients with conditions such as congenital long QT syndrome, a family history of QT prolongation or other clinical conditions that predispose to arrhythmias (e.g., hypokalaemia, hypomagnesemia, bradycardia, acute myocardial infarction or uncompensated heart failure) or increased exposure to fluoxetine (e.g., hepatic impairment), or concomitant use with medicinal products known to induce QT prolongation and/or torsade de pointes (see section 4.5).

If patients with stable cardiac disease are treated, an ECG review should be considered before treatment is started.

If signs of cardiac arrhythmia occur during treatment with fluoxetine, the treatment should be withdrawn and an ECG should be performed.

Irreversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. iproniazid): Some cases of serious and sometimes fatal reactions have been reported in patients receiving an SSRI in combination with an irreversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).

These cases presented with features resembling serotonin syndrome (which may be confounded with (or diagnosed as) neuroleptic malignant syndrome). Cyproheptadine or dantrolene may benefit patients experiencing such reactions. Symptoms of a drug interaction with a MAOI include: hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, autonomic instability with possible rapid fluctuations of vital signs, mental status changes that include confusion, irritability and extreme agitation progressing to delirium and coma. Therefore, fluoxetine is contra-indicated in combination with an irreversible, non-selective MAOI (see section 4.3). Because of the two weeks-lasting effect of the latter, treatment of fluoxetine should only be started 2 weeks after discontinuation of an irreversible, non-selective MAOI. Similarly, at least 5 weeks should elapse after discontinuing fluoxetine treatment before starting an irreversible, non-selective MAOI.

Mydriasis:

Mydriasis has been reported in association with fluoxetine; therefore, caution should be used when prescribing fluoxetine in patients with raised intraocular pressure or those at risk of acute narrow-angle glaucoma.

Sexual dysfunction

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)/serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction (see section 4.8). There have been reports of long-lasting sexual dysfunction where the symptoms have continued despite discontinuation of SSRIs/SNRI.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Half-life: The long elimination half-lives of both fluoxetine and norfluoxetine should be borne in mind (see section 5.2) when considering pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic drug interactions (eg, when switching from fluoxetine to other antidepressants).

Contra-indicated combinations

Irreversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. iproniazid): Some cases of serious and sometimes fatal reactions have been reported in patients receiving an SSRI in combination with an irreversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).

These cases presented with features resembling serotonin syndrome (which may be confounded with [or diagnosed as] neuroleptic malignant syndrome). Cyproheptadine or dantrolene may benefit patients experiencing such reactions. Symptoms of a drug interaction with a MAOI include: hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, autonomic instability with possible rapid fluctuations of vital signs, mental status changes that include confusion, irritability and extreme agitation progressing to delirium and coma. Therefore, fluoxetine is contra-indicated in combination with an irreversible, non-selective MAOI (see section 4.3). Because of the two weeks-lasting effect of the latter, treatment of fluoxetine should only be started 2 weeks after discontinuation of an irreversible, non-selective MAOI. Similarly, at least 5 weeks should elapse after discontinuing fluoxetine treatment before starting an irreversible, non-selective MAOI.

Metoprolol used in cardiac failure: risk of metoprolol adverse events, including excessive bradycardia, may be increased because of an inhibition of its metabolism by fluoxetine (see section 4.3).

Not recommended combinations

Tamoxifen: Pharmacokinetic interaction between CYP2D6 inhibitors and tamoxifen, showing a 65-75 % reduction in plasma levels of one of the more active forms of the tamoxifen, i.e. endoxifen, has been reported in the literature. Reduced efficacy of tamoxifen has been reported with concomitant usage of some SSRI antidepressants in some studies. As a reduced effect of tamoxifen cannot be excluded, co-administration with potent CYP2D6 inhibitors (including fluoxetine) should whenever possible be avoided (see section 4.4).

Alcohol: In formal testing, fluoxetine did not raise blood alcohol levels or enhance the effects of alcohol. However, the combination of SSRI treatment and alcohol is not advisable.

MAOI-A including linezolid and methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue): Risk of serotonin syndrome including diarrhoea, tachycardia, sweating, tremor, confusion or coma. If concomitant use of these active substances with fluoxetine cannot be avoided, close clinical monitoring should be undertaken and the concomitant agents should be initiated at the lower recommended doses (see section 4.4).

Mequitazine: risk of mequitazine adverse events (such as QT prolongation) may be increased because of an inhibition of its metabolism by fluoxetine.

Combinations requiring caution

Phenytoin: Changes in blood levels have been observed when combined with fluoxetine. In some cases manifestations of toxicity have occurred. Consideration should be given to using conservative titration schedules of the concomitant drug and to monitoring clinical status.

Serotoninergic drugs (lithium, tramadol, triptans, tryptophan, selegiline (MAOI-B), St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)): There have been reports of mild serotonin syndrome when SSRIs were given with drugs also having a serotoninergic effect. Therefore, the concomitant use of fluoxetine with these drugs should be undertaken with caution, with closer and more frequent clinical monitoring (see section 4.4).

QT interval prolongation: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies between fluoxetine and other medicinal products that prolong the QT interval have not been performed. An additive effect of fluoxetine and these medicinal products cannot be excluded. Therefore, co-administration of fluoxetine with medicinal products that prolong the QT interval, such as Class IA and III antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics (e.g. phenothiazine derivatives, pimozide, haloperidol), tricyclic antidepressants, certain antimicrobial agents (e.g. sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin, erythromycin IV, pentamidine), anti-malaria treatment particularly halofantrine, certain antihistamines (astemizole, mizolastine), should be used with caution (see sections 4.4, 4.8 and 4.9).

Buprenorphine-containing medicinal products

Fluoxetine should be used cautiously when co-administered with Buprenorphine-containing medical products as the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, is increased (see section 4.4).

Drugs affecting haemostasis (oral anticoagulants, whatever their mechanism, platelets antiaggregants including aspirin and NSAIDs): risk of increased bleeding.

Clinical monitoring, and more frequent monitoring of INR with oral anticoagulants, should be made. A dose adjustment during the fluoxetine treatment and after its discontinuation may be suitable (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).

Cyproheptadine: There are individual case reports of reduced antidepressant activity of fluoxetine when used in combination with cyproheptadine.

Drugs inducing hyponatremia: Hyponatremia is an undesirable effect of fluoxetine. Use in combination with other agents associated with hyponatremia (e.g. diuretics, desmopressin, carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine) may lead to an increased risk (see section 4.8).

Drugs lowering the epileptogenic threshold: Seizures are an undesirable effect of fluoxetine. Use in combination with other agents which may lower the seizure threshold (for example, TCAs, other SSRIs, phenothiazines, butyrophenones, mefloquine, chloroquine, bupropion, tramadol) may lead to an increased risk.

Other drugs metabolised by CYP2D6: Fluoxetine is a strong inhibitor of CYP2D6 enzyme, therefore concomitant therapy with drugs also metabolised by this enzyme system may lead to drug interactions, notably those having a narrow therapeutic index (such as flecainide, propafenone and nebivolol) and those that are titrated, but also with atomoxetine, carbamazepine, tricyclic antidepressants and risperidone. They should be initiated at or adjusted to the low end of their dose range. This may also apply if fluoxetine has been taken in the previous 5 weeks.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy:

Some epidemiological studies suggest an increased risk of cardiovascular defects associated with the use of fluoxetine during the first trimester. The mechanism is unknown. Overall the data suggest that the risk of having an infant with a cardiovascular defect following maternal fluoxetine exposure is in the region of 2/100 compared with an expected rate for such defects of approximately 1/100 in the general population.

Epidemiological data have suggested that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy, particular in late pregnancy, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN). The observed risk was approximately 5 cases per 1000 pregnancies. In the general population 1 to 2 cases of PPHN per 1000 pregnancies occur.

Fluoxetine should not be used during pregnancy unless the clinical condition of the woman requires treatment with fluoxetine and justifies the potential risk to the foetus. Abrupt discontinuation of therapy should be avoided during pregnancy (see section 4.2 “Posology and method of administration”). If Fluoxetine can be used during pregnancy, but caution should be exercised, especially during late pregnancy or just prior to the onset of labour, since some other effects have been reported in neonates: irritability, tremor, hypotonia, persistent crying, difficulty in sucking or in sleeping. These symptoms may indicate either serotonergic effects or a withdrawal syndrome. The time to occur and the duration of these symptoms may be related to the long half-life of fluoxetine (4-6 days) and its active metabolite, norfluoxetine (4-16 days).

Observational data indicate an increased risk (less than 2-fold) of postpartum haemorrhage following SSRI/SNRI exposure within the month prior to birth (see sections 4.4, 4.8).

Breast-feeding:

Fluoxetine and its metabolite, norfluoxetine, are known to be excreted in human breast milk. Adverse events have been reported in breast-feeding infants. If treatment with fluoxetine is considered necessary, discontinuation of breast-feeding should be considered; however, if breast-feeding is continued, the lowest effective dose of fluoxetine should be prescribed.

Fertility:

Animal data have shown that fluoxetine may affect sperm quality (see section 5.3). Human case reports with some SSRIs have shown that an effect on sperm quality is reversible. Impact on human fertility has not been observed yet.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Fluoxetine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Although fluoxetine has been shown not to affect psychomotor performance in healthy volunteers, any psychoactive medicinal product may impair judgement or skills. Patients should be advised to avoid driving a car or operating hazardous machinery until they are reasonably certain that their performance is not affected.

4.8. Undesirable effects

a. Summary of the safety profile

The most commonly reported adverse reactions in patients treated with fluoxetine were headache, nausea, insomnia, fatigue and diarrhoea. Undesirable effects may decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment and do not generally lead to cessation of therapy.

b. Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The table below gives the adverse reactions observed with fluoxetine treatment in adult and paediatric populations. Some of these adverse reactions are in common with other SSRIs.

The following frequencies have been calculated from clinical trials in adults (n = 9297) and from spontaneous reporting.

Frequency estimate: Very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Not Known

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Thrombocytopenia

Neutropenia

Leucopenia

Immune system disorders

Anaphylactic reaction

Serum sickness

Endocrine disorders

Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Decreased appetite1

Hyponatraemia

Psychiatric disorders

Insomnia2

Anxiety

Nervousness

Restlessness

Tension

Libido decreased4

Sleep disorder

Abnormal dreams3

Depersonalisation

Elevated mood

Euphoric mood

Thinking abnormal

Orgasm abnormal5

Bruxism

Suicidal thoughts and behaviour6

Hypomania

Mania

Hallucinations

Agitation

Panic attacks

Confusion

Dysphemia

Aggression

Nervous system disorders

Headache

Disturbance in attention

Dizziness

Dysgeusia

Lethargy

Somnolence7

Tremor

Psychomotor hyperactivity

Dyskinesia

Ataxia

Balance disorder

Myoclonus

Memory impairment

Convulsion

Akathisia

Buccoglossal syndrome

Serotonin syndrome

Eye disorders

Vision blurred

Mydriasis

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Tinnitus

Cardiac disorders

Palpitations

Electrocardiogram QT prolonged (QTcF≥450msec)8

Ventricular arrhythmia including torsades de pointes

Vascular disorders

Flushing9

Hypotension

Vasculitis

Vasodilitation

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Yawning

Dyspnoea

Epistaxis

Pharyngitis

Pulmonary events (inflammatory processes of varying histopathology and/or fibrosis)10

Gastrointestinal disorders

Diarrhoea

Nausea

Vomiting

Dyspepsia

Dry mouth

Dysphagia

Gastrointestinal haemorrhage11

Oesophageal pain

Hepato-biliary disorders

idiosyncratic hepatitis

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Rash12

Urticaria

Pruritus

Hyperhidrosis

Alopecia

Increased tendency to bruise

Cold sweat

Angioedema

Ecchymosis

Photosensitivity reaction

Purpura

Erythema multiforme

Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (Lyell Syndrome)

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders

Arthralgia

Muscle twitching

Myalgia

Renal and urinary disorders

Frequent urination13

Dysuria

Urinary retention

Micturition disorder

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Gynaecological bleeding14

Erectile dysfunction

Ejaculation disorder15

Sexual dysfunction

Galactorrhoea

Hyperprolactinaemia

Priapism

postpartum haemorrhage17

General disorders and administration site conditions

Fatigue16

Feeling jittery

Chills

Malaise

Feeling abnormal

Feeling cold

Feeling hot

Mucosal haemorrhage

Investigations

Weight decreased

Transaminases increased

Gamma-glutamyltransferase increased

1 Includes anorexia

2 Includes early morning awakening, initial insomnia, middle insomnia

3 Includes nightmares

4 Includes loss of libido

5 Includes anorgasmia

6 Includes complete suicide, depression suicidal, intentional self-injury, self-injurious ideation, suicidal behaviour, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, morbid thoughts, self-injurious behaviour. These symptoms may be due to underlying disease

7 Includes hypersomnia, sedation

8 Based on ECG measurements from clinical trials

9 Includes hot flush

10 Includes atelectasis, interstitial lung disease, pneumonitis

11 Includes most frequently gingival bleeding, haematemesis, haematochezia, rectal haemorrhage, diarrhoea haemorrhagic, melaena, and gastric ulcerhaemorrhage

12 Includes erythema, exfoliative rash, heat rash, rash, rash erythematous, rash follicular, rash generalized, rash macular, rash macular-papular, rash morbilliform, rash papular, rash pruritic, rash vesicular, umbilical erythema rash

13 Includes pollakiuria

14 Includes cervix haemorrhage, uterine dysfunction, uterine bleeding, genital haemorrhage, menometrorhagia, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, polymenorrhea, postmenopausal haemorrhage, uterine haemorrhage, vaginal haemorrhage

15 Includes ejaculation failure, ejaculation dysfunction, premature ejaculation, ejaculation delayed, retrograde ejaculation

16 Includes asthenia

17 This event has been reported for the therapeutic class of SSRIs/SNRIs (see sections 4.4, 4.6).

c. Description of selected adverse reactions

Suicide/ suicidal thoughts or clinical worsening: Cases of suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour have been reported during fluoxetine therapy or early after treatment discontinuation (see Section 4.4).

Bone fractures:

Epidemiological studies, mainly conducted in patients 50 years of age and older, show an increased risk of bone fractures in patients receiving SSRIs and TCAs. The mechanism leading to this risk is unknown.

Withdrawal symptoms seen on discontinuation of fluoxetine treatments: Discontinuation of fluoxetine commonly leads to withdrawal symptoms. Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), asthenia, agitation or anxiety, nausea and/or vomiting, tremor and headache are the most commonly reported reactions. Generally, these events are mild to moderate and are self-limiting; however, in some patients they may be severe and/or prolonged (see section 4.4). It is therefore advised that when FLUOXETINE treatment is no longer required, gradual discontinuation by dose tapering should be carried out (see section 4.2 and section 4.4).

d. Paediatric population (see section 4.4 and 5.1)

Adverse reactions that have been observed specifically or with a different frequency in this population are described below. Frequencies for these events are based on paediatric clinical trial exposures (n = 610).

In paediatric clinical trials, suicide-related behaviours (suicide attempt and suicidal thoughts) and hostility (the events reported were: anger, irritability, aggression, agitation, activation syndrome), manic reactions including mania and hypomania (no prior episodes reported in these patients) and epistaxis, were commonly reported and were more frequently observed among children and adolescents treated with antidepressants compared to those treated with placebo.

Isolated cases of growth retardation have also been reported from clinical use (See also section 5.1).

Isolated cases of adverse events potentially indicating delayed sexual maturation or sexual dysfunction have been reported from paediatric clinical use (see also section 5.3).

In paediatric clinical trials, fluoxetine treatment was associated with a decrease in alkaline phosphatase levels.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Symptoms

Cases of overdose of fluoxetine alone usually have a mild course. Symptoms of overdose have included nausea, vomiting, seizures, cardiovascular dysfunction ranging from asymptomatic arrhythmias (including nodal rhythm and ventricular arrhythmias) or ECG changes indicative of QTc prolongation to cardiac arrest (including very rare cases of Torsade de Pointes), pulmonary dysfunction, and signs of altered CNS status ranging from excitation to coma. Fatality attributed to overdose of fluoxetine alone has been extremely rare.

Management

Cardiac and vital signs monitoring are recommended, along with general symptomatic and supportive measures. No specific antidote is known.

Forced diuresis, dialysis, haemoperfusion, and exchange transfusion are unlikely to be of benefit. Activated charcoal, which may be used with sorbitol, may be as or more effective than emesis or lavage. In managing overdosage, consider the possibility of multiple drug involvement. An extended time for close medical observation may be needed in patients who have taken excessive quantities of a tricyclic antidepressant if they are also taking, or have recently taken, fluoxetine.