Do not take Balance Blend Rx if you:
- are allergic to fluoxetine, or any of the ingredients in Balance Blend Rx
- Take any medication for Parkinson’s Disease or depression called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), or if you have stopped taking an MAOI in the last 14 days as they may cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure. MAOIs include, but are not limited to: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine
- take St John’s Wort or 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
- taking tamoxifen
- are drinking large amounts of alcohol
- are abusing recreational drugs or prescription medications
Fluoxetine can rarely cause serious side effects. Rarely reported side effects include:
- low sodium blood levels (symptoms may include headache, weakness, difficulty remembering or concentrating, feeling confused, seizures, change in balance, a significant weight gain or loss)
- angle closure glaucoma (symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around eye)
- serotonin syndrome (symptoms may include shivering, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death)
- increased bleeding (gums)
- Seizures
- Dizziness
- Slow heartbeat
- Menstrual changes
- Passing urine more often
- Trouble controlling body movements
- Erection that lasts more than 4 hours
- teeth grinding
- QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia including Torsades de Pointes (changes in the electrical activity of your heart; symptoms may include fast, slow or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and dizziness or fainting)
- increased risk of bleeding events when combined with use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen), warfarin, and other anticoagulants
The most common side effects of fluoxetine include: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, decreased appetite, flu-like symptoms, dry mouth, nose or throat irritation, increased sweating, feeling nervous, restlessness, shakiness, fatigue, yawning, hot flashes, unusual dreams, sleepiness or having trouble sleeping (insomnia). Sexual side effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay often do not diminish over time. During treatment with this medication, the common side effects of this medication may go away as your body adjusts to the medication.
L-theanine and vitamin B6 are generally considered safe
- Although L-theanine can help with sleep, it does not cause sedation or drowsiness. A slight lowering of blood pressure has been seen with L-theanine, so if you are taking a blood pressure medication and notice dizziness, please notify your provider.
- Vitamin B6 is generally has no side effects and is well tolerated, but when taken in excess (>100 mg), side effects may include extreme sensitivity to sunlight, nausea, heartburn, and painful skin patches. Balance Blend Rx only contains 3mg of Vitamin B6.
Before you take Balance Blend Rx, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
- have a history of psychiatric or medical problems, including bipolar disorder
- have taken any medication in the past for your condition, whether effective or not
- have suffered adverse or side effects from previous medication therapies
- drink alcohol or use/abuse recreational or prescription drugs
- are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and recreational drugs.
Fluoxetine may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way fluoxetine works, causing side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following:
- Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac)
- Warfarin or other anticoagulants
- Any other serotonergic medications including: trazodone, migraine medications (triptans), pain medications (tramadol), antibiotic linezolid, amphetamines
- anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepine)
- antipsychotics (haloperidol, aripiprazole)
- atomoxetine
- tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, desipramine)
- beta blockers (metoprolol, propranolol)
- tamoxifen
If you miss a dose of Balance Blend Rx that you take daily, take it as soon as you remember unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.
Do not stop taking Balance Blend Rx, even when you feel better. Abruptly stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms, including vomiting, irritability, dizziness, headaches, sensation of tingling skin, or nightmares.
Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 4-8 weeks to fully improve.
Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. If these symptoms emerge, they should be reported to the patient’s prescriber or healthcare professional. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their healthcare provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.
If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the
DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.
If no drug disposalsites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
- Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
- Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
- Throw away the container in your trash at home; and
- Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging