Fluoxetine is one drug that is commonly prescribed by physicians to treat moderate to severe depression. During your consultation, your doctor may ask about your medical history. Here is where you can say something that is important. You have to tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

diabetes;

cirrhosis of the liver;

a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts;

kidney disease;

bipolar disorder (manic depression); or

seizures or epilepsy;

If you have any of these illnesses, you may not be able to take in Fluoxetine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special exams.

It can happen that people can ironically have suicidal thoughts while on antidepressant, especially if the patient is below 24 years of age. It is your duty to inform your doctor if you have worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is adjusted.

Fluoxetine is categorized by FDA to be pregnancy category C. Being an SSRI antidepressants, fluoxetine  can cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during the time when the baby is insde the womb. But then, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant at the time of preganacy. If you are planning to get pregnant, or if you become pregnant while taking this medication, do not stop taking fluoxetine without first consulting to your physcician.

Fluoxetine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

It is a no no to adminsiter fluoxetine to anyone who is below 18 years old, unless the doctor approves. Fluoxetine is the only antidepressant that is FDA-approved for use in children with depression.