Zactin Caps (Fluoxetine Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Zactin Caps Used For?
Zactin Caps contains fluoxetine hydrochloride, which belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications work by affecting brain chemicals called amines that help control mood.
Primary Uses
Zactin Caps is used to treat depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
How It Works
SSRIs are thought to work by their action on brain chemicals called amines which are involved in controlling mood.
How to Take Zactin Caps
Your doctor will determine the right dose of Zactin Caps for you. It’s important to follow their instructions exactly and continue taking the medication for as long as they tell you to.
Dosage Instructions
The usual starting dose is one capsule taken once a day in the morning. Your doctor may change your dose depending on how you respond to the medicine. If your doctor tells you to take it twice a day, take a dose in the morning and at noon. Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water. Zactin Caps can be taken with or without food. Take your medicine at about the same time each day for best results.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this may increase the chance of unwanted 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:
- fatigue
- nausea
- vomiting
- upset stomach
- diarrhoea
- loss of appetite
- headache
- weight loss
- changes in taste
- dry mouth
- trouble sleeping
- unusual dreams
- nervousness
- anxiety
- drowsiness
- weakness
- dizziness
- excessive sweating
- flushing
- chills
- lesions of skin and mucous membrane
- joint aches
- sexual problems
- more frequent urination
- changes in vision
- twitches
- yawning
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- itching, skin rash or hives
- shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- muscle spasms
- tremors
- convulsions or fits
- fast, irregular heartbeat
- abnormal bleeding or bruising
- sudden mood swings
- hallucinations
- increased risk of breaking a bone
- loss of coordination
- confusion
- overactive reflexes
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- erythema multiforme
- serotonin syndrome
- seizures or fits
- ECG changes
- widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Zactin Caps. Make sure to discuss your medical history with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Zactin Caps
Do not use Zactin Caps if you are allergic to fluoxetine hydrochloride, any other medicines containing fluoxetine (such as Prozac and Lovan), or any of the ingredients. Do not take if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or have taken one within the last 14 days. Do not take if you are taking pimozide to treat disturbances in thinking, feelings and behaviour. Zactin Caps is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, liver problems, heart conditions, raised eye pressure, diabetes, fits (seizure), a bleeding disorder or tendency to bleed more than usual, any other mental condition, recent bone fracture or risk factors for osteoporosis, or if you drink alcohol.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. When taken during pregnancy, particularly in the last 3 months, Zactin Caps may affect your newborn baby causing symptoms like irritability, constant crying, feeding difficulties, vomiting, fluctuating temperature, seizures, tremors, jitteriness, bluish appearance, breathing interruptions, low blood sugar, muscle stiffness, muscle weakness or over-responsive reflexes. It may also increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) in babies and heavy vaginal bleeding after birth. Zactin Caps can pass into breast milk, so discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor if breastfeeding.
Suicide Risk: People taking Zactin Caps may be more likely to think about killing themselves or actually trying to do so, especially when first started or when the dose is changed. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any suicidal thoughts or other mental/mood changes.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Zactin Caps and affect how it works. Some combinations may increase the risk of serious side effects and are potentially life threatening.
St John’s Wort: Do not take the herbal remedy St John’s Wort while you are being treated with Zactin Caps.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) – medicines used to treat some types of depression
- Tamoxifen – a medicine used to treat breast cancer
- Lithium – a medicine used to treat mood swings and some types of depression
- Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants and other medicines for depression, obsessive compulsive disorder or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- Sleeping tablets or sedatives
- Medicines used to relieve anxiety
- Antipsychotics – medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions
- Pimozide – medicines used to treat disturbances in thinking, feelings and behaviour
- Phenytoin and carbamazepine – medicines used to control fits (seizures)
- Tramadol – medicines used to relieve pain
- Triptan medicines used to treat migraine, such as sumatriptan
- Tryptophan – an amino acid available in food supplements and multivitamin preparations
- Warfarin – medicines used to prevent blood clots
- Flecainide – a medicine used to treat some heart conditions
- St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) – a herbal remedy
Alcohol & Driving
Zactin Caps may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, and you should be cautious about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Although drinking alcohol is unlikely to affect your response to Zactin Caps, your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol while you are being treated for depression.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Zactin Caps affects you. Zactin Caps may cause impaired judgement, reduced coordination or drowsiness in some people. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them, as they will not keep as well if removed from the blister pack. Store your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep away from moisture, heat or sunlight – do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Zactin Caps, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. If you have taken too much Zactin Caps, you may feel sick in the stomach, vomit, feel restless, agitated or excited.
Frequently Asked Questions
While some symptoms will be relieved sooner than others, Zactin Caps commonly takes two to four weeks before improvement is really apparent. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel better right away, as most medicines of this type take time to work.
Yes, Zactin Caps can be taken with or without food. Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water.
Do not stop taking Zactin Caps or lower the dose without checking with your doctor. Stopping suddenly may cause symptoms such as dizziness, sleep disturbance, anxiety, irritability, agitation, confusion, weakness, 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.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Although drinking alcohol is unlikely to affect your response to Zactin Caps, your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol while you are being treated for depression.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your medicine normally. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Zactin Caps during pregnancy. When taken during pregnancy, particularly in the last 3 months, it may affect your newborn baby and increase certain risks.
Keep your capsules in the pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C, away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
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.