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How To Withdraw From Prozac Slowly Without Any Side Effects?
Question: Hi. I am in the process of weaning myself off prozac I've started slowly by just taking it 6 days a week instead of 7. ( I'm on 20mgs) I've started exercising 5 times a week as well. However today I had the scariest episode with what I can only describe was a manic rage. Where i was overcome with an uncontrollable anger and just wanted to smash things. Fortunately I managed to control it but it has really frightened me as that has never happened to me before. I'm worried that with taking the prozac And exercising my body is producing too much dopamine which could have caused a manic episode. Does this sound likely? And if its the case should I cut down my exercise just until my prozac levels are sorted?
Brief Answer:
Prozac need gradual tapering of the dose
Detailed Answer:
Hello Welcome to HCM
You have been taking 20mg of prozac daily and just changed this to take 6 days a week. You have also started exercising 5 times a week. Now just recently you had episode of uncontrollable anger and you wanted to smash things. Such symptoms never occurred before.
Before going to details I would like to know if you have more symptoms of mania like grandiose ideas, feelings of extreme power, any suspiciousness or paranoid feelings, increased energy etc?
Now coming to your questions- Prozac is fluoxetine and this is a drug of SSRI group. You have started missing one day dose a week to decrease the dose. Fluoxetine is a drug with long half life (duration of action) about 1-2 days during initiation of therapy and about 2-4 days with time. So missing one day dose will not result in tapering of the dose. As per my opinion, you should decrease the dose to 10 mg per day daily for at least 4 weeks and then take drug on every alternate day for next 2 weeks and then stop taking it. In this way you will not suffer even mild withdrawal symptoms. I usually follow this regimen in my patients. You can discuss with your treating doctor about the same.
Exercise alway result in positive effects on body and this results in secretion of endorphins which improve mood. It can't cause adverse effect to body.
As per my opinion, the episode of symptoms you had just recently was not due to mania. Mania switch can occur but other symptoms should also be there before we label the episode as mania. There is no need to cut exercise. These symptoms could have occurred due to severe anxiety and as per my opinion can be ignored.
Apart from exercising daily you should try relaxation exercises like Yoga, Meditation, Breathing exercises etc. These exercises will help to keep you relaxed and will help to control anger.
Hope this helps you, if you have more questions you can ask again.
Thanks
Prozac need gradual tapering of the dose
Detailed Answer:
Hello Welcome to HCM
You have been taking 20mg of prozac daily and just changed this to take 6 days a week. You have also started exercising 5 times a week. Now just recently you had episode of uncontrollable anger and you wanted to smash things. Such symptoms never occurred before.
Before going to details I would like to know if you have more symptoms of mania like grandiose ideas, feelings of extreme power, any suspiciousness or paranoid feelings, increased energy etc?
Now coming to your questions- Prozac is fluoxetine and this is a drug of SSRI group. You have started missing one day dose a week to decrease the dose. Fluoxetine is a drug with long half life (duration of action) about 1-2 days during initiation of therapy and about 2-4 days with time. So missing one day dose will not result in tapering of the dose. As per my opinion, you should decrease the dose to 10 mg per day daily for at least 4 weeks and then take drug on every alternate day for next 2 weeks and then stop taking it. In this way you will not suffer even mild withdrawal symptoms. I usually follow this regimen in my patients. You can discuss with your treating doctor about the same.
Exercise alway result in positive effects on body and this results in secretion of endorphins which improve mood. It can't cause adverse effect to body.
As per my opinion, the episode of symptoms you had just recently was not due to mania. Mania switch can occur but other symptoms should also be there before we label the episode as mania. There is no need to cut exercise. These symptoms could have occurred due to severe anxiety and as per my opinion can be ignored.
Apart from exercising daily you should try relaxation exercises like Yoga, Meditation, Breathing exercises etc. These exercises will help to keep you relaxed and will help to control anger.
Hope this helps you, if you have more questions you can ask again.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you so much.
I visited my psychiatrist today and she said the same as you. She's helping me.
Appreciate your guidance and help
Best XXXXXXX
I visited my psychiatrist today and she said the same as you. She's helping me.
Appreciate your guidance and help
Best XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Pleasure to help you
Detailed Answer:
Thanks you can ask any time if have more queries in future.
Wish you a good health.
Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
Pleasure to help you
Detailed Answer:
Thanks you can ask any time if have more queries in future.
Wish you a good health.
Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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