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What Causes Trouble Sleeping While Taking Prozac?

Posted on Fri, 10 Oct 2014

Question: I started taking prozac 2 weeks ago for anxiety after taking citalopram for 3 years. I was taking it at night and was having trouble sleeping so I started taking it today in the morning and I am extremely tired, no appetite, tops of my ears feel like they are burning and just feel terrible. are these side effects or something else. When should I start feeling better.

Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
this is initial anxiety caused by prozac

Detailed Answer:
Hi...thanks for writing..i have understood your concerns..

The symptoms you are experiencing are the possible anxiety symptoms with prozac..

Prozac can cause restlessness, decrese sleep, decrese appetite, palpitation, perspiration, ringing in the ear, uneasiness..etc..which disappears within 5 to 7 days of starting prozac..

You can take anxiolytics like benzodiazepines for the control of these symptoms...stop these anxiolytics after 7 days slowly..

Prozac is activating antidepressant..which will show effects by 15 to 20 days..

So..wait..do not worry..it will resolve within 5 to 7 days...you can ask for benzodiapines for these problem from your psycgiatrist..

I hope this advice will be helpful to you..if you have further query feel free to ask...

Get well soon..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Ravi Soni (14 minutes later)

But I have been taking them for 15 days

Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
take.anxiolyitcs..

Detailed Answer:
Hi....i have read your concern..

In this case I feel that you shud take...benzodiazepines like clonazepam low dose in the morning with prozac...(0.25mg)

If you start feeling better continue it for 15 days and then gradually taper within next 15 days..do not tkae them for long duration...

If still you wont improve then we will discuss about cahnging the atidepressant..

I hopr this will help you..feel free to ask if you have furrher query...get well soon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Ravi Soni (3 hours later)

can I take a smaller dosage of the prozac if so how do I do that with a 20 mg capsule

Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
can take low dose capsule

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The prozac capsule also come in 10 mg strength. As the current dose are not suiting you, you can discuss about taking 10mg for 15 days. It can be increased to 20mg in the morning thereafter. Alternatively your doctor can put you on 20mg alternate days for 15 days and thereafter daily. You can discuss about the options with your treating doctor.

It is recommended to take prozac after heavy breakfast in the morning.. Otherwise it will cause gastrointestinal upset...

I hope this advice will be helpful to you...

Best luck..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ravi Soni (10 hours later)

can prozac cause low blood sugar

Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it can cause but it is rare

Detailed Answer:
hi..thanks for follow up query..

prozac is SSRI antidepressant..it usually does not cause hypoglycemia..but there are case reports of hypoglycemia associated with use of prozac..

prozac has caused hypoglycemia in elderly patient having non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus..usually seen after 72 hours of starting it..

other cases are reported in which elderly people were taking prozac and developed hypoglycemia without having diabetes..

these all case reports are very few like 5 to 6 reports till date....hypoglycemia is not common as other side effects of prozac..

i hope this answer will be helpful to you...get well soon..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Ravi Soni (6 hours later)

can I take the powder out of the 20 mg capsule and divide it for a 10 mg dose or do I have to take it in the capsule

Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
you cant take that way

Detailed Answer:
Hi..thanks for writing again..

Capsule is prepared to prevent the powder drug from damage by gastric acids. In this case if you take the powder directly without capsule, the drug won't go beyond stomach and disintegrated. If I would be your treating doctor I won't allow you to drug like that.

I insist you discuss with your treating doctor about my opinion. He/she can write an alternate prescription with 10mg doses.

Hope this suffices. Get well soon..

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad