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Does Prozac Work Better Than Paxidep For Major Depression?

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Posted on Mon, 13 Feb 2017
Question: Hi - ive been diagnosed with major depression and i have been prescribed paxidep and prozac by two soffwrent doctors - can you please advise which of the two drugs i should take- which is most effective with least side effects -
Many thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Both have equal efficacy but I will prefer Paxidep

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all I would say that both Prozac as well as paxidep belong to same class of medications and act in similar manner. There is no difference between efficacy of two drugs as per available literature.

As I can recall from the past you were prescribed 12.5 mg of paxidep which is often insufficient to treat depression. The usual dose is 20-60 mg per day so using atleast 25 mg is recommended.
Paxidep is often preferred where there is lack of sleep and prominent anxiety symptoms. This also helps in increasing the appetite which is uncommon with prozac.

So to conclude I would say that both are equally effective, have similar side effect pattern although paxidep is better option when there is associated sleep and appetite problem in depression.

I hope this assists you.
If you have more questions I will be glad to assist you further.
If you do not have more questions, please close the discussion and if possible 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
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (23 hours later)
I am keen to doscontinue paxidep because of the weight gain. Is it possible to quit the medicine after almoat one year ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it is possible

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me.

The paxidep can be discontinued even after 10 years of use when there are side effects. I mean to say that when there is weight gain issue is present pacxidep can be disconinued and prozac can be started to supplement the function of paxidep.

Having said this I also like to inform you that discontinuation should be done in gradual manner taking at least 2-4 weeks to stop it completely. Ideally 25 % of dose can be reduced per week.

I hope this assists you further.
Thanks again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3347 Questions

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Does Prozac Work Better Than Paxidep For Major Depression?

Brief Answer: Both have equal efficacy but I will prefer Paxidep Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXXXX Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. First of all I would say that both Prozac as well as paxidep belong to same class of medications and act in similar manner. There is no difference between efficacy of two drugs as per available literature. As I can recall from the past you were prescribed 12.5 mg of paxidep which is often insufficient to treat depression. The usual dose is 20-60 mg per day so using atleast 25 mg is recommended. Paxidep is often preferred where there is lack of sleep and prominent anxiety symptoms. This also helps in increasing the appetite which is uncommon with prozac. So to conclude I would say that both are equally effective, have similar side effect pattern although paxidep is better option when there is associated sleep and appetite problem in depression. I hope this assists you. If you have more questions I will be glad to assist you further. If you do not have more questions, please close the discussion and if possible 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.