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Suggest Ways To Manage Side Effects Of Shifting To Prozac

Posted on Fri, 31 Oct 2014

Question: I have been on Citalopram and under a psychiatrist switched to Prozac 10 days ago, feeling headacy, finding it difficult to think and concentrate, also very tearful, how long will this last as it is pretty unbearable, I am also on Lorazepam and Olanzapine for my anxieties

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It should be stopped for now

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

If after starting prozac 10 mg, you are suffering from so much uncomfortable side effects and even after 10 days of starting the medicines, side effects remain the same, you must stop the medicine.

As a clinician I have seen that normally side effects will go away or patient can tolerate the fluoxetine in 5-7 days. And considering your past history of medicines, I think at least 20 mg dose will be needed for optimum effects. So if you are uncomfortable at 10mg, at 20 mg it would be intolerable at all.

After 10 days of stopping the prozac, you can restart. If you can tolerate, it is ok but if can not, replace the medicine with other tolerable molecule.

Note: We recommend prozac should be taken after breakfast.

Hope I have answered your query,

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (14 minutes later)

Is it ok to stoptaking antidepressants as when I first get up i feel ok but once taking the tablet istart to feel the side effects

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes it is ok

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome back.

Yes you can sop as it has started just before 10 days and you have cover of olanzapine and lorazepam. Stopping for a day to week will not bother you if you are stable.You did not mention the need for shifting from citalopram to prozac otherwise citalopram can be restart.

You had history of use of few medicines. Sertraline and escitaloarm are SSRI like prozac but with less side effects and more tolerable profile than that.

Your treating psychiatrist would be the best judge to decide as he/she would be aware about your case in detail.

I will be glad to answer more if any query,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)

I could not tolerate Esciatalopram or sertraline, as I am very sensitive to antidepressants, so am wondering if i would be better not having them as their side effects are intollerable, i swapped from Citalopram as it was not lifting me and giving me alot of anxieties, i feel like I have no hope now, it is very scary

I was put on 20 mg Prozac, prior to that i was on 40mg Citalopram

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is hope for sure,Desvenlafaxine or bupropion

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I understand your concern. But there are lot of medications for treatment of depression with different mechanism of action. You seems to be not able to tolerate SSRI like escitalopram, sertraline or fluoxetine. But Desvenlafaxine(SNRI) or Bupropion(NRI) can be useful in your case if not tried. Please discuss with your psychiatrist regarding that,

To treat current anxiety symptoms Klonopin 0.25 mg two to three times a day can be added.

Another option is psychotherapy specifically CBT(Cognitive Behaviour Therapy). CBT has shown good results in depression with or without medicines.If your therapist is good at CBT and you are motivated, you may not need medicines at all.

Hope this will be helpful to you,
Regards,
Dr.Chgintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (18 hours later)

Can I stop prozac and not take any other antidepressant and not have have any side effects

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes you can

Detailed Answer:
hello,

Sorry for delayed response.

If you are stable and doing your routine work regularly and sleep and appetite are adequate, you can stop prozac and get rid of side effects.

Wish you good health.

regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari