Methylnaltrexone bromide and Sarafem

• Generic Name: methylnaltrexone
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Relistor

Methylnaltrexone bromide is used to treat constipation caused by opioids (narcotic pain medicines), in adults with long-lasting pain that is not caused by cancer, or in patients with long-lasting pain caused by a previous cancer or its treatment who do not need weekly increases in opioid dosage.

Methylnaltrexone bromide is available only with your doctor's prescription.

• Generic Name: fluoxetine
• Dosage Forms: capsules
• Other Brand Names: Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem, PROzac Pulvules, Rapiflux, Selfemra

Sarafem is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressant. This medicine affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression, panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Sarafem is used to treat major depressive disorder, bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Sarafem is sometimes used together with another medication called olanzapine (Zyprexa) to treat manic depression caused by bipolar disorder. This combination is also used to treat depression after at least 2 other medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

If you also take olanzapine (Zyprexa), read the Zyprexa medication guide and all patient warnings and instructions provided with that medication.

Sarafem may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.