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Does Prozac Help Cure Depression?
Question: I am depressed. I have been taking Prozac for over 20 years and have not had a major depressive episode since then until this week. I have increased my dosage, but how logn should I wait before I feel improvement?
Brief Answer:
Mostly takes four to six weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
Prozac is SSRI group of antidepressant and can take upto 4-6 weeks to show complete response after achieving target dose. In my clinical practice I have frequently observed that during initial two weeks most patients show some response in the range of 15-25% which crosses 50% mark by end of 4-6 weeks.
Some of the patients may continue to show response upto 12 weeks but this happens only in those who show some response during initial two weeks.
Since you started just one week back you should wait for atleast next two to three weeks provided there are no intolerable side effects.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Mostly takes four to six weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
Prozac is SSRI group of antidepressant and can take upto 4-6 weeks to show complete response after achieving target dose. In my clinical practice I have frequently observed that during initial two weeks most patients show some response in the range of 15-25% which crosses 50% mark by end of 4-6 weeks.
Some of the patients may continue to show response upto 12 weeks but this happens only in those who show some response during initial two weeks.
Since you started just one week back you should wait for atleast next two to three weeks provided there are no intolerable side effects.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What is maximum dose for Prozac? I was taking 40 mg daily as "maintenance" dose, and was told 80mg was the maximum. Since I became depressed last week I have been taking 80mg. Can I reduce dosage when depression decreases?
Brief Answer:
It is true
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
It is true that recommended maximum dos is 60-80 mg depending on the side effects although few individuals may require 100-120 mg per day.
As stated above if there are intolerable side effects the recommended maximum dose is lower than usual.
The standard protocol is to use 80% of effective dose during maintainance period. It is possible to lower your prozac dose to 60 mg once effect is achieved.
I hope this answers you.
Thanks and regards.
It is true
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
It is true that recommended maximum dos is 60-80 mg depending on the side effects although few individuals may require 100-120 mg per day.
As stated above if there are intolerable side effects the recommended maximum dose is lower than usual.
The standard protocol is to use 80% of effective dose during maintainance period. It is possible to lower your prozac dose to 60 mg once effect is achieved.
I hope this answers you.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Are there other medications I can take to relieve the discomfort of my depression symptoms until the Prozac becomes effective? Are there medications I should not take? Thank You.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Often we need to wait for sometime to observe the effect of medication as the adjuvant medications can help in certain symptoms but could not help in the depression. For example if you have sleep issues you can take benzodiazepines or Z drugs to have proper sleep.
Similarly if there are energy issues modafinil or armodafinil can be used during morning hours.
However I am of the opinion that waiting is better strategy than increasing the number of medications to counter one or another symptoms associated with depression.
I hope this answers you further.
Thanks again.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Often we need to wait for sometime to observe the effect of medication as the adjuvant medications can help in certain symptoms but could not help in the depression. For example if you have sleep issues you can take benzodiazepines or Z drugs to have proper sleep.
Similarly if there are energy issues modafinil or armodafinil can be used during morning hours.
However I am of the opinion that waiting is better strategy than increasing the number of medications to counter one or another symptoms associated with depression.
I hope this answers you further.
Thanks again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What about over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, Aspirin, etc.?
Brief Answer:
They are rarely helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
I do not think Tylenol or aspirin can help in discomfort associated with depression. They have different mechanism of action from what is required in depression.
I hope this helps you further.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
They are rarely helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
I do not think Tylenol or aspirin can help in discomfort associated with depression. They have different mechanism of action from what is required in depression.
I hope this helps you further.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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