Blue Fluoxetine Causes Heartburn (Page 5)
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Recently my pharmacy began giving me a new version of fluoxetine, which I have taken for MANY years with no problems.... however the blue fluoxetine gives me horrible heart burn. I use to take them at night before bed, but couldn't sleep, so decided to start taking them in the morning and still get the heartburn. I don't take them with any other meds. I tried an empty stomach, and after eating, but the results are still the same. I also get a bad headache (I think from the heartburn.) Has anyone figured out how to avoid this problem?

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There should be a clear warning that this type is more likely. Now I have gallbladder issues but these things can make me chest feel like I swallowed lava and this morning I vomited blue tinge green mucosa. Trying to get old pills back.

Agree not sure worthy but seems irresponsible.

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No, this isn't something that can be sued for. The drug is in the open market with numerous companies making generic forms of the drug. There was no health damage caused to anybody (for example nobody died, nobody experienced severe, permanent, or life-threatening injuries). The issue isn't with the drug, it's with the gelatin capsule used by the various companies distributing the drug. In order to sue there would have to be evidence of gross negligence, and that isn't the case here. Heartburn isn't actionable. It would be considered frivilous. In situations like this it would be pointed out that a person needs to accept personal responsibility for the drugs taken. For optional drugs like fluoxetine if we experience problems we tell our doctor who then discontinues it or prescribes something else, or we simply stop taking the drug. To give you an example, one of the most common side effects from Tylenol is, believe it or not, headache. When people take Tylenol for a headache the last thing they would assume is that the Tylenol could make it worse, but that's not actionable, and when someone managed to find a lawyer inexperienced enough to sue the individual was chastised by the court for bringing a frivolous suit because they could have just as easily stopped talking it. Personal responsibility trumps minor side effects no matter how uncomfortable they were to a person because generic fluoxetine isn't a necessary drug, it's one of many equally viable options of drug therapy.

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I am so glad to have found this article. I have been taking the blue prozac for years and I don't always get the burning but have at times experienced the burn which I have actually had to stay home from work because it was so painful, especially if I swallow it horizontally instead of vertically. I really thought it was just my imagination. Thank you all for sharing your stories I will be calling my doctor for the tablets from here on out.

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After taking the blue gel capsules for 2 years I ended up in the ER because heartburn was so bad it mimicked heart attack signs. Cannot believe they are still getting by peddling them to the unsuspecting victims. Just switch to white tablets. They cost more but your doc can write your script to exclude the blue ones and insurance must pay. If ever I see a legal suit against the maker of these pills of pain, you bet I will be signing on every line.

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When I told the pharmacist about the heartburn and what the doc said about the gelatin/dye, I mentioned that I found this topic here about it afterwards. He said he'd never had any complaints before. He really kind of acted conceited and said you can find anything on the internet if you look hard enough.

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Yes, I've been telling everyone on this thread, and several others dealing with the same issue of Fluoxetine related heartburn, that the gelatin caps are what is causing the heartburn. Unfortunately most of the threads are very long so people don't see them. Everyone needs to get together and get the word out that the gelatin caps used on the generic versions of Fluoxetine are harmful

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why would you put up with years of pain and toucher? Your body is speaking to you

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My post is buried on the second page, but I wrote that my doc said it was the gelatin and/or dye in the capsules that was the problem. He changed me to tablets, and I have no problems.

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Highly unlikely since the heartburn is most likely not associated with the medication itself (fluoxetine) but rather the form of the medication.
I originally was prescribed tablets of fluoxetine, but when I switched doctors, the new prescription I received was in the form of gel capsules. Though the actual medication itself was the same thing (same dosage), the change from tablets to capsules gave me horrible heartburn every day. The problem is with the gel capsule itself, not fluoxetine. Once my current prescription runs out, I'm asking the switch to tablets.

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My story. I took the fluoxetine 180 HCL Ca 20mg for a long time with no digestive issues and then the horrible throat blocking sensation came and I could no longer take it. My Doctor recommend trying the Flooxitine Dispersible 20. I no longer had digestive issues with the medication. End of story.

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Chew some food in your mouth till it's mushy i.e. A biscuit put the capsule in the middle of the food and swallow it all in one go with a drink this usually works for me

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I understand the feeling completely, it feels as if the pill is blocking your throat and it causes a heartburn sensation that can travel to the head and cause headaches. It usually goes away after a while, but I've found that the best way to avoid this problem altogether is just take tablets, not capsules. It may have to do with them being a smaller size or the fact that it doesn't have a gelatin capsule coating.. Just drink plenty of water and know that it will pass.

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I'm dead serious about this: CAN WE SUE?
I checked fluoxetine's list of side effects, and Heart Burn is NOT there. So I suffered with this for years until I read these posts, and switched meds altogether to avoid it. It was YEARS of TORTURE. I want to sue the company for not putting this down as a side effect. Is that something we can do??

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I noticed the same thing. I was at my wits end. I tried taking it with at least a half glass of milk and it has helped so far.

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Regarding the tablets rather than the caps.
Tablets worked a treat.
BTW sO grateful for this discussion.

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Another sight I went to suggest putting your neck down instead of back when swallowing. This actually helps. I have never exlerienced a pain as bad as stuck prozac. Id rather be depressed!My pill is green and orange. Good luck to every one!

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If I don't take my 20mg Prozac with a lot of pop it gets stuck in my throat and I experience the absolute worst pain I've ever felt. I'm not religious but all I could do was pray for some relief. The only thing I could compare the pain to is the feeling you get when you have gallstones. Horrendous incredible pain that's impossible to ease with anything but time.

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I have experienced the same horrible heartburn and came to this site seeking solutions. One solution posted (forgot who it was) suggested I ask my pharmacist to switch pharmaceutical companies. Worked like a charm. Can't remember old company. New company: Teva.

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Yes, you should notice a difference in the pills rather than capsules. It's the gelatin in the capsules which is causing the problems for people. When a person can only afford to take the capsules the better way to take it is to switch the drug from inside the gelatin capsule to a non-gelatin capsule. If a person has vitamins in capsules they can simply dump out the vitamin and dump the Fluoxetine into that capsule, cover it back up with the top, and take it that way. It will still dissolve in the stomach, but will not create the heartburn.

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I spoke to my doctor today and she has prescribed me tablets instead of the caps. She says do not break open the caps when taking Fluroxatine as you may get a spike in the active ingredients. Today I try the tablets. Hopefully no throat pain all day night long.

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