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What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Prozac?

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Posted on Thu, 17 Mar 2016
Question: I am coming off Prozac after 20 years, and starting Zoloft. Since Prozac has a long half-life, do need to taper it, or just stop it and begin the Zoloft?
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Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

If the dose of Prozac you are/were taking was low, 40mg or less daily, it would indeed be safe to simply stop it and start taking Zoloft.

If you start to experience withdrawal (flu-like symptoms, "brain zaps"), you can always restart Prozac for a short time at a low dose (10-20mg/day) to ease your transition.

Prozac has the longest half-life of any antidepressant and stopping it quickly is usually well-tolerated, as it takes weeks to leave the system after discontinuation.


In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Prozac?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. If the dose of Prozac you are/were taking was low, 40mg or less daily, it would indeed be safe to simply stop it and start taking Zoloft. If you start to experience withdrawal (flu-like symptoms, "brain zaps"), you can always restart Prozac for a short time at a low dose (10-20mg/day) to ease your transition. Prozac has the longest half-life of any antidepressant and stopping it quickly is usually well-tolerated, as it takes weeks to leave the system after discontinuation. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers