Lovan (Fluoxetine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lovan Used For?
Lovan is a prescription medication that helps treat several mental health conditions by working on brain chemicals that control mood.
Primary Uses
Lovan is used to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It is only available with a doctor’s prescription and is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
How It Works
Lovan belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications work by affecting brain chemicals called amines that are involved in controlling mood.
How to Take Lovan
Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully, as the dose varies from person to person based on your condition and response to treatment.
Dosage Instructions
The usual starting dose is one tablet or capsule taken once daily in the morning. Your doctor may adjust this dose based on your condition. For PMDD, it may be prescribed daily or only during certain parts of the month. Capsules should be swallowed whole with water. Tablets can be swallowed whole or dispersed in half a glass of water first. Take at the same time each day, with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If you’re unsure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this may increase your chance of side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Upset stomach, diarrhea
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
- Changes in taste, dry mouth
- Trouble sleeping, unusual dreams
- Anxiety, nervousness
- Drowsiness, weakness
- Dizziness
- Excessive sweating, flushing, chills
- Skin and mucous membrane lesions
- Fever and joint aches
- Sexual problems
- More frequent urination
- Changes in vision
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Itching, skin rash or hives
- Shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- Muscle spasms
- Tremors
- Twitches
- Convulsions or fits
- Fast, irregular heartbeat
- Abnormal bleeding or bruising
- Sudden mood switches to overactivity and uninhibited behavior
- Sudden fever
- Hallucinations
- Loss of coordination
- Confusion
- Overactive reflexes
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before taking Lovan that you must discuss with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Lovan
Do not take Lovan if you are allergic to fluoxetine or any ingredients in the medication. Do not take it if you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the last 14 days, or if you are taking pimozide. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, or skin rash.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, kidney problems, seizures, diabetes, bleeding disorders, or if you drink alcohol. Also inform them of any allergies to medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits. If taken during pregnancy, be especially careful near the end of pregnancy as withdrawal symptoms may occur in newborns, and there may be increased risk of heavy bleeding after birth. Lovan can pass into breast milk.
Suicide Risk: People taking Lovan may be more likely to have suicidal thoughts, especially when first starting or changing doses. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience thoughts of self-harm, worsening depression, or unusual mood changes.
Drug Interactions
Lovan can interact with many other medications, some combinations being potentially life-threatening.
St John’s Wort: Do not take the herbal remedy St John’s Wort while being treated with Lovan. If already taking it, stop and mention it to your doctor.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Lithium
- Other SSRIs, SNRIs, and depression medications
- Sleeping tablets or sedatives
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Antipsychotic medications
- Pimozide
- Anti-seizure medications
- Blood thinners like warfarin
- Flecainide (heart medication)
- Tryptophan supplements
- St John’s Wort
- Pain medications like tramadol
- Sumatriptan (migraine medication)
Alcohol & Driving
Lovan may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, and alcohol consumption should be discussed with your doctor.
Alcohol
Although drinking alcohol is unlikely to affect your response to Lovan, your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol while being treated for depression.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Lovan affects you. Lovan may cause drowsiness in some people. If you experience drowsiness, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep Lovan in the original blister pack until time to take them. Store tablets in a cool, dry place below 25°C and capsules below 30°C. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on a window sill, as heat and dampness can destroy the medicine. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Lovan, immediately call your doctor, the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no symptoms. Overdose symptoms may include feeling sick, vomiting, restlessness, agitation, or excitement. You may need urgent medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most medicines of this type take time to work, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel better right away. While some symptoms will be relieved sooner than others, Lovan usually takes two to four weeks before improvement is really apparent. If you don’t start to feel better in about four weeks, check with your doctor.
Yes, Lovan can be taken with or without food. Take it at about the same time each day for the best effect.
Do not stop taking Lovan or lower the dose without checking with your doctor. Stopping suddenly may cause symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, headache, feeling sick, or tingling or numbness of the hands or feet. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount before stopping completely.
Although drinking alcohol is unlikely to affect your response to Lovan, your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol while you are being treated for depression. Discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
Tablets can be swallowed whole with water or dispersed in water first. To disperse: swirl the tablet in half a glass of water until it falls apart, then drink it immediately. Capsules should be swallowed whole with water.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Lovan during pregnancy. If taken during pregnancy, be especially careful at the end of pregnancy, as withdrawal symptoms may occur in newborns and there may be increased risk of heavy bleeding after birth.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.