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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Prozac Be Stopped Cold Turkey?

I am 76 and very young of heart and spirit and have fibromyalgia Yesterday I was given 30 mg Cymbalta which recommended for this condition... However, I have been on Prozac for 40 years for cronic depression. The insurance co. refused to allow me the Cymbalta, unless I stop Prozac. Should I stop cold turkey or ease off a few days then start Cymbalta or WHAT???
Mon, 7 Aug 2017
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Ah, but you aren't stopping prozac cold turkey. The effect on the brain chemical overlap considerably between cymbalta and prozac. If you gradually decreased the prozac by itself, you would be on a lower amount than you are now. Also prozac breakdown products stay for a long time and still have a lot of activity. You aren't going cold turkey even if you stop taking prozac==it is still in your system for weeks and the cymbalta has much of the same effect.
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Can Prozac Be Stopped Cold Turkey?

Ah, but you aren t stopping prozac cold turkey. The effect on the brain chemical overlap considerably between cymbalta and prozac. If you gradually decreased the prozac by itself, you would be on a lower amount than you are now. Also prozac breakdown products stay for a long time and still have a lot of activity. You aren t going cold turkey even if you stop taking prozac==it is still in your system for weeks and the cymbalta has much of the same effect.