As fluoxetine has a longer half-life than other antidepressants, it may take longer for a person to develop withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms may also last longer, though they do not tend to be severe. Although there is no specific Prozac withdrawal timeline, Prozac discontinuation symptoms typically begin around 2 to 4 days after reducing the dosage and usually lasts for around 1 to 2 weeks.
Antidepressant Withdrawal Risk Factors
- Antidepressants work by balancing and improving the way neurotransmitters work in your brain.
- Quitting “cold-turkey,” or without any tapering plan in place, puts you at the highest chance of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, according to research from 2017.
- They’re generally not medically dangerous but may be uncomfortable.
- People should not stop taking antidepressants abruptly, as it could cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
- The reason for withdrawal symptoms is that suddenly stopping an antidepressant can cause a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can have physical and mental effects.
All antidepressants can cause withdrawal issues if someone has taken them for longer than 6 weeks, particularly if they stop or rapidly reduce their dose. Frequent follow-ups may be necessary at the beginning of your transition to make sure that you haven’t relapsed. So make sure you keep your appointments and let your provider know if you think your depression or anxiety is coming back. In most instances, stopping antidepressants will return a person’s sexual function back to pre-antidepressant levels. Antidepressants can be effective for treating a number of conditions, but the choice to start and stop one is very individual. And while antidepressants can help you feel better, they can also have mental and physical side effects.
Going off an antidepressant usually involves reducing your dose in increments, allowing two to six weeks between dose reductions. Your clinician can instruct you in tapering your dose and prescribe the appropriate dosage pills for making the change. The schedule will depend on which antidepressant you’re taking, how long you’ve been on it, your current dose, and any symptoms you had during previous medication changes. It’s also a good idea to keep a “mood calendar” on which you record your mood (on a scale of one to 10) on a daily basis. Once you decide to quit, you and your physician should take steps to minimize or avoid the discontinuation symptoms that can occur if such medications are withdrawn too quickly. Some types of antidepressants seem to be more likely to cause antidepressant withdrawal than others, but you can develop it from any type.
Then start a conversation with your doctor, who can work with you to determine the best course of action. There are also risks of Prozac overdose, so make sure you seek immediate care. Symptoms of a Prozac overdose include confusion, dizziness, fever, hallucinations, and loss of consciousness. If you think you or someone else is experiencing a Prozac overdose, seek medical attention immediately. When you think of antidepressants, Prozac is probably one of the first to come to mind. Prozac (fluoxetine) is an antidepressant used to treat a variety of disorders, including major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and some eating disorders.
If symptoms last more than a month and are worsening, it’s worth considering whether you’re having a relapse of depression. If you haven’t been exercising regularly, make it a point to start when you discontinue your antidepressant. This may be difficult as your depression can easily sap your motivation but it is possible, and it will make you feel better.
Mental health
Maintenance treatment is essentially a long-term treatment designed to prevent relapse. It can include medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment.
What causes Prozal withdrawal symptoms?
Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms are usually fairly mild in the first one to three days, potentially intensifying before beginning to subside. It can take several weeks for all symptoms to resolve completely, with some people experiencing effects for months. Individuals should speak with their doctor if they are experiencing unwanted side effects of antidepressant use.
When should I stop taking antidepressants?
When you agree that it is time to stop, your prescriber can help you put together a tapering plan. Physical dependence means that your body has adapted to the presence of a substance or medication. Everyone should taper their antidepressants, but some people (usually people who how to wean off prozac haven’t been using them for very long) only need to reduce in a couple of steps. Here are a few more ways to prevent or cope with antidepressant withdrawal. Individuals who wish to stop taking antidepressants should work with their doctor to develop a plan that meets their needs. Individuals should only stop taking antidepressants when they have discussed it with a doctor.
Their goals are to minimize the side effects of transitioning from one medication to another and to minimize interactions between the two — along with anything else you’re taking. “If you’re doing a medication switch, your doctor will want to go over all your medications with you, just to be safe,” Dr. Coulter says. This mixture should be shaken vigorously before being taken to make sure the drug is evenly distributed in the liquid. Make sure you throw away any remaining liquid after you have taken what you need.