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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Itching After Taking Paxil And Prozac For Bipolar Disorder. Suggestions?

Yes, thank you. I first started taking Paxil along with other medications for bipolar disorder last August but began to have a problem with serious itching. My doctor did not want me to stop taking it because it was working after many failed attempts with other meds. However the itching has been unbearable. I finally refused to take it and he changed me to Prozac. I am having the same terrible itching with the Prozac. Is it likely that other SSRIs would also cause itching? What would you suggest?
Mon, 1 Jul 2013
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Greetings !

Welcome to the site.

I am sorry to learn about your condition and I empathize with you.

Well it seems like you have poor tolerability towards ssri class of anti depressants since both times when you used above mentioned ssri drugs you had developed itching which suggests about your inability to tolerate these class of drugs. So I reckon that it will be futile and distressing for you to try another drug of the same class as it may too eventually lead to same result.

So it will be better if you try another class of anti depressant such as Effexor xr ( VENLAFAXINE) or Cymbalta ( DULOXETINE) or Remeron (MIRTAZAPINE) , which belong to a different class anti depressants and you shall be more likely to respond to them. So discuss their names with your treating doctor and get any one of them started for self.

I hope this helps.

Wish you all the best.

Regards..
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Itching After Taking Paxil And Prozac For Bipolar Disorder. Suggestions?

Greetings ! Welcome to the site. I am sorry to learn about your condition and I empathize with you. Well it seems like you have poor tolerability towards ssri class of anti depressants since both times when you used above mentioned ssri drugs you had developed itching which suggests about your inability to tolerate these class of drugs. So I reckon that it will be futile and distressing for you to try another drug of the same class as it may too eventually lead to same result. So it will be better if you try another class of anti depressant such as Effexor xr ( VENLAFAXINE) or Cymbalta ( DULOXETINE) or Remeron (MIRTAZAPINE) , which belong to a different class anti depressants and you shall be more likely to respond to them. So discuss their names with your treating doctor and get any one of them started for self. I hope this helps. Wish you all the best. Regards..