Prozac Post

Prozac Post Information

Prozac Post Information in Q&A

lexapro than prozac for post par-tum? used to be taking lexapro 10mg and it worked wonders now due to a stupid insurance change I've been put on prozac 20mg for my post par-tum depression. just wondering what i can expect from this drug and is switching just like this going to mess me up more then I already am

erom m replied: "It would be better to use natural medication."

enchanted replied: "I took lexapro for post partum then I was switched to effexor and it worked fine. Just make sure you take it regularly and notice any little change."

I started taking Prozac for post partum depression 7 days ago and it seems to make me feel like I'm in a fog~ When I was diagnosed I was super sad all of the time, crying and whatnot, but now I am like totally emotionless, which doesn't seem much better. My daughters graduated from preschool and 5th grade, which would usually make me cry, and I was unfazed. Things that would normally make me laugh, or super happy don't anymore. Is there a certain amount of time that I should be taking it before I give up, and does anyone know if it's only like this now because it's new? The other issue is that I can't concentrate on anything. I think that the pills are turning me into a total idiot! If there is anyone out there that is on Prozac and can give me some advice I would greatly appreciate it:)

ChickenGirl replied: "That can happen when you start an anti-depressant. If it continues, talk to your doctor and see about switching to a different anti-depressant."

DEB M replied: "Prozac is not a good medication. You should try Paxil. Paxil is very good but the medication takes a while to get into your system. You will not feel any better until you have taken between 4 to 6 weeks. If you can't concentrate that is a sign of major depression and you should be on anti depressant and therapy. Some anti depressants have side effects in the first two to three weeks but then they usually stop. Hope this helps you. Feel better"

Fluoxetin white round 20mg tablets vs Prozac? what is the difference between the generic and the brand name? I have used the brand Prozac or fluoxetin green and white capsules recently in Europe I was prescribed Fluoxetin-ratiopharm 20 mg tablets which are round I have never seen prozac or fluoxetin as round tablets only capsules are these okay? I also found this on the internet is this true? Please if there are any proffesional pharmacist outthere please answer. Here is the article that I found on the net.... Generic vs. name brand Prozac Posted By: Cheryl S. Date: Thursday, 14 October 2004, at 1:15 p.m. For those who are wondering... I asked my OB/GYN (an M.D., not a pharmacist) about differences in effectiveness when the generic for Prozac had been out for a while. I, like many others, was curious since the price was significantly lower. He told me that under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should I ever take the generic, as he had patients that ended up attempting suicide (one succeeded) after switching from the name brand. The generic just did not work. He told me that if the pharmacist ever tried to give me generic, to state loudly (so the whole store could hear) that "my doctor told me the generic can kill you." He was ADAMANT about the differences between the drugs. I have taken the name brand Prozac for 9 years (it has worked wonderfully) and I will not risk the possible repercussions that generic might bring. No amount of money is worth taking that risk. Hope this sheds some light on the subject.

Ken W replied: "Your question raises a lot of different issues. Before a brand name medicine can become generic, it has to go through extensive testing, and if not deemed safe, will not go on the market. But, I have seen situations where the generic medicine will not work for a person. Sometimes, a medication will have a chemical buffer to ease side effects. The anti-seizure medicine called Depakote is one. It can be easier on the stomack than the generic brand. But sometimes insurance will only cover the generic brand. Another example is Concerta. It is basically time release Ritalin. As such, some insurance companies will not cover it, or will only do so at a reduced rate. In the two instances that I have mentioned, in order to get the insurance to cover it at the maximum level when a generic medication is to be substituted, the phrase "Brand Name Neccesary," (SP?) is needed. Just because a person is on an anti-depressant (generic or otherwise) doesn't mean that they won't have suicidal urges or won't committ suicide. That can be part of depression, and the literature stresses that. I know that very well from personal experiance as I can feel very suicidal at times, and I am on 5 different medications for depression. In my situation, it is not the medication causing it as I am much more suicidal when I am not on them. So whether or not the people being referenced as committing or attempting suicide was caused by the change from a brand name to generic is not certain. Perhaps there were other circumstances involved. Again, suicidal thinking can be part of the person's depression. Sometimes medication can provide the energy the depressed person needs in order to follow through with the suicide. As a person's body chemistry changes, sometimes the medication that they are taking will not work as well or at all, so they have to change it. I know that from personal experiance. It is always good to be a well informed consumer. Should you try the generic medication, or change to a different one, find out as much information about it as possible - but from reliable sources. Also it is good to keep a mood log, or journal and see if you can notice any changes in your mood or behavior after starting the medication. It may be good to enlist the aid of a friend/family member or others to monitor it along with you. Again, from personal experiance I have learned that I can't take as high a dosage of one of my anti-depressants as I used too. I tried for a month, but while my depression lifted, I became more agatatied (SP?) and anxious. When I reduced the medication, those particular symptoms became dramatically less. Unfortunately, when I started taking the smaller dosage, my depression became worse, and I had to add another one. I have been under a psychiatrist's care for years. A general doctor would not try to treat me, as they don't have the knowledge that a psychiatrist does. Your OB/GYN may be fantastic doctor in that speciality, but may need to consult with a psychiatrist or refer you to one if you are having difficulties with medication monitoring. Also, sometimes the pharmacist is a valuable resource as drugs are their speciality. To answer your question - maybe - maybe not, there are alot of different issues to consider."

Should It Be A Violation Of YA TOS To Post Questions When You Have Stopped Taking Your Prozac? Ceasar lives: normally no.. but the person I am referring to only posts in the Politics section...and is hearing voices and is imagining conspiracies against him. He is imagining YA posters are cuckolding him. Another sign he is off his meds is that he has his multiple YA Id'd thumbs up his answers...quite a lonely pathetic fool. I hope he gets back on his meds.

Mochrie replied: "Cute, but it is a HIPPA violation."

TRUE PATRIOT replied: "Only if he feels the need to call everyone a chicken hawk coward. LOL"

CaesarLives replied: "Is this a political question?"

here to help replied: "no. G H W Bush ran the country while on prozac,i'm sure he missed a dose sometimes."

right you are ken replied: "Ask Doctor Gupta. Do you have a point you are trying to make?"

Shrink replied: "The only person who can make this diagnosis is your doctor. Ask him/ her."

Does prozac help with social anxiety? I'm a stay at home person, not because I want to be. I dread everything about going out. Simple little things like going to the post office and having to get out and go in where people are makes very me nervous. I hate being this way. My doc just perscribed me prozac 20mg. Will this help?

kk replied: "It probably will, i was prescribed 20mg for depression, but it also has really helped with my social anxiety. Its a lifesaver"

Anyone else told Prozac was not addictive years ago and now cannot get off it? I was told it would work short term for my post natal depression..ten years on, still on it. Every time I try to come off (slowly, petering out the tablets not sudden withdrawal) I get odd symptoms...brain 'zaps', and feeling even more depressed than I remember being before I went on the tablets. It is almost like Prozac has created the problem by changing the brain chemicals so much that I my brain can't remember how I used to feel. I dread the thought of being reliant on this drug for the rest of my life in order to feel 'normal'.

george_graham_crayford replied: "thats not a physical addiction your problem is a mental addiction and down to you to resolve, you just have a habit, dont blame the drug"

vambosthirdincarnation replied: "I was on it for 5 years, and came off with no real problems. I don't think it's physically addictive at all, I've been addicted to both alcohol and valium. You want to try coming off them."

Dr Frank replied: "To fulfil the definition of an addictive substance 2 criteria are needed, firstly that symptoms are produced by withdrawing and second that the effect reduces with time, resulting in a need to increase the dose to maintain effect. Strictly speaking since Prozac does not fulfil the second criteria it is not a drug of addiction. However I have had a number of patients who suffer from rebound anxiety or less frequently depression. It is difficult to be sure though which of these patients still have their underlying problem, which just uncovers again as the dose is reduced. It was my practise to switch the patient to a liquid version of Prozac and reduce more slowly at a rate of perhaps 2mgs per month or even occasionally 2 mgs every 2 months. In virtually 100% of patients this was slow, but very successful. ( Unless their depression was still active underneath.)"

Gaynor replied: "Yes i was told it was NOT addictive, i have been in venlofaxine foe 6 years now and like you i have tried to come off of them and suffered llike i did before i went on them, i cant ever see myself ever getting off of them i think we are 1 of millions that have been told the same.......like me you are not alone..........best of luck"

SH2007 replied: "Hi, i have been on Prozac for about 6 months and have been told i will be on them at least another year. The prozac hasn't caused your problems, they helped you in a bad time, which could have lead to anything if left untreated. There is always a risk of becoming dependant on drugs. My doctor has never told me that I will get aaddicted but i did come off them after a short period at the start and had to be weened off them as they are one of the few anti-depressants that you have to do that with apparently. Have you discussed this with your gp? maybe you could try coming off them slower if its definately what you want, however, whats the fear in needing them, lots of people need medication to live, peple with heart problems take tablets to regulate their heart beat so that they stay alive, whats the problem in taking a tablet that helps you from feeling depressed, worthless or even suicidal? I understand what you are saying though, it would be great to feel normal without them and that is possible and many people have come off them successfully...perhaps the fact that when you try to come off them you sink back into depression is showing that you still have issues that need to be sorted out and the prozac is just covering them up slightly.... its something you should definately discuss with your gp for more information! best of luck xxx"

pinkstarblooming replied: "No, i was absolutely terrified of coming off though, was convinced I'd slide back down. I didn't, every now again I get bad days, but I'm better equipped to deal with these now and go out and try to enjoy myself, and ......TALK, that helps loads."

Does Prozac effect Milk Production? Last week I was prescribed 20mg of Prozac for Post Pardum Depression. I have been taking it at night because it makes me kinda out of it but starting yesterday when I get to work and I pump I have noticed a dramatic decrease in the amount I am able to pump. Normally Mondays and Tuesday I have a little less but I have gone from 5-6 ounces per session to barely 3. Has anyone ever had any issues. This morning I was thinking maybe my Prozac is bringing my body down to much durning the night when my body is normally producing the most milk. Also my daughter has just started sleeping 8 hour streaches during the night so I am sure that has a little to do with the decrease. BTW I have chosen to take the medication at night also because it peaks at 6 hours and if I take it at 7 then 1 am is the peak time in my milk so therefore my daughter wont be as affected by the medication.

kiki n replied: "There must be a good reason you were prescribed this medication over others as there are other drugs that are much safer to take while breastfeeding. Prozac is passed thru the milk while others are shown not to at all. I am not sure if this is th reason for your decrease in milk though, but could also be the fact that you are not nursing as much anymore, which will cause the decrease. Once you start going long stretches without nursing, your body normally adjusts, and produces less. You could try pumping during the night to build it back up a bit, or pumping more frequently. Sometimes pumping as well will cause your body to produce less as well, as it's not as efficient as the baby nursing. Congrats on sticking with it, and hope you are feeling better soon. It's a tough road this motherhood thing, but well worth it."

mystic_eye_cda replied: "ALL antidepressants pass into milk, prozac is not the drug of choice because a higher level appears in breastmilk but it is untrue that the others do not appear at all. ?./temp/~JzJphx:1 Summary of Use during Lactation: The average amount of drug in breastmilk is higher with fluoxetine than with most other SSRIs and the active metabolite, norfluoxetine, is detectable in the serum of most breastfed infants during the first 2 months postpartum and a few thereafter. Adverse effects such as colic, fussiness, and drowsiness have been reported in some breastfed infants. Decreased infant weight gain was found in one study, but not in others. No adverse effects on development have been found in a few infants followed for up to a year. If fluoxetine is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding. However, other agents with lower excretion into breastmilk may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. The breastfed infant should be monitored for behavioral side effects such as colic, fussiness or sedation and for adequate weight gain. [...] Possible Effects on Lactation: Fluoxetine has caused increased prolactin levels and galactorrhea in nonpregnant, nonnursing patients.[19][20][21] The clinical relevance of these findings in nursing mothers is not known. The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed. Specific drugs discussed: * Prozac is the only drug "cleared by the FDA" for use during pregnancy. A mother on Prozac during pregnancy may wish to change drugs before birth or immediately after, or titrate the dose down in the last trimester since the existing blood plasma level in the newborn fetus plus the drug transfer through milk may lead to toxicity. Its effects on the breastfed infant have been reported in infants 2 months old or less. * Zoloft is the "best drug choice so far". It has a low, low transfer rate to breastmilk (17-173 ug/liter) in mothers taking up to 150 mg/day. In one excellent study of 11 mother/infant pairs, the zoloft was undetectable in 7 of the 11 breastfeeding infants' serum and minimal in the other infants. In two other studies of one and three mother/infant pairs respectively, zoloft was undetectable in the plasma of all 4 infants. A theoretical concern with Zoloft is that some babies may not gain weight as rapidly or as well when breastfed by moms on Zoloft; so weight gain should be monitored and dosage tweaked as necessary. * Paxil has low blood plasma levels in the mother, and a low transfer rate to human milk. It was undetected in the blood plasma of 7 of 8 breastfed infants in one study, all 16 of the infants in a second study, and all 24 of the infants in a third study. For babies exposed to paxil in utero, there is evidence that withdrawal may occur 24-48 hours after birth. * Celexa has a 4.3-16 nanogram/kg blood plasma level, but transfer rate is higher via milk. Use with caution and watch infant for side effects (per Hale, "There have been two cases of excessive somnolence, decreased feeding, and weight loss in breastfed infants."). * Effexor is a popular drug for treating depression in Australia. It is less popular here in the USA due to reported side effects. Effexor can also be used in breastfeeding mothers if it is efficacious. It may be effective against hyperactivity. It is an SSRI and NRI. * St. John's Wort is a weak SSRI. It also stimulates liver enzymes and may enhance the metabolism of other drugs. German varieties are found to be the most pure in independent testing; other brands may have contaminates and not be very pure. Documented drug-drug interactions have been found; the action of St. John's Wort on the liver can accentuate the metabolism of many drugs. For example, St. John's Wort may reduce the efficacy of birth control pill regimens, although this has not been documented. * Bupropion has a high milk to plasma ratio, and is excellent for use in smoking cessation programs. It may reduce the milk supply but as yet this is undocumented. * Lithium use by the breastfeeding mother is dangerous to the breastfed infant. * Valium use by the breastfeeding mother entails a greater risk of infant sedation, and may perhaps increase the risk of SIDS. * Tricyclics - many have significant side effects in mothers including dry mouth, constipation and other anticholinergic symptoms. Thus they are not overly popular with patients. Generally, tricyclics have a poor transfer to milk with the exception of Doxepin, which has a higher transfer rate. Long-term effects are unknown. Drug Hierarchy When choosing a medication SSRIs are generally the preferred choice for a breastfeeding mother. Side effects from SSRIs are most common in the first 3 months postpartum; so with an older baby, there is lit"

Has my 40 mg of Prozac stopped working? I don't want the dose to be upped. Any suggestions? 47 year old female....have suffered from depression since I was a kid....now post menopausal and it's even worse. 40 mg of Prozac worked for about 2 months. It is not working anymore. Body aches, fluish like symptoms. Want to stay in bed. Crying all the time.

turbocrazy2003 replied: "Have you ever seen a naturalpathic doctor? I was having some major hormone issues and my regular doctor just kept telling me it was in my head or giving me medicine that didn't really help. I went to a naturalpathic doctor and with her help, I was able to use supplements to get my hormones back on track and within weeks I felt amazing!"

Blake replied: "it sounds to me like it's not working for you. I would talk to your doctor to see if you can switch medicines. The highest dose people usually take on Prozac is 80mg. You could increase the dose but if you feel it is not working then I'm sure the doctor can prescribe something else. Good luck."

Vernazza replied: "I'm 48 and have been on Lexapro since last summer, it's great. I also am now taking Gabapentin(Neurontin)- it's taken for a million things, it helps a lot of people and I gotta say, after the 1st few days of feeling kinda high, this stuff is great."

vanhammer replied: "It may not be the right antidepressant for you. My wife took paxil for quite awhile and then it seemed to stop working. The Dr put her on cymbalta but a low dose. For the first month she was a mess until the Dr upped her dosage. Now she's so much better and feels more like herself again. She was afraid to up her dose as well, but it has been great for her."

-R- replied: "That's the problem with Prozac, it quits working. Have you tried any other SSRI medications? (Lexapro, Zoloft, etc.) Sometimes just switching to a new one can help. You should see your psychiatrist right away, you shouldn't have to feel so miserable."

What is Prozac? And what is Clonapin or Klonapin? What is Prozac? All I know is that I heard it was pad and like addictive. And you know that movie "Flightplan"? Jodie Foster said that she had sleeping pills and Clonapin or Klonapin. How do you spell that? Are these like post-mortem depression pills?

bkennedy0126 replied: "I can address Klonapin...and I believe that's the generic name...it is an anti-depressant drugs...the should only be taken as prescribed as they affect the seritonin (mood stabilizers) levels in your brain."

kw_jibo replied: "Well Prozac is a medicine used to treat depression. It takes a while to work, since instead of being a direct medicine that would increase the amount of the neuro-transmitter that makes you happy, it is a medicine called a "re-uptake inhibitor" meaning that when the happy neuro-transmitter would normally leave the nerve endings, the Prozac medicine keeps the transmitter there, meaning that the next time your brain would send out a happy signal that it sends out a larger dose of happy. The drug Klonopin is used to treat several types of seizures. Prozac is not normally used for post-mortem or post-partem depression."

ettelagguj replied: "My mom takes klonapin for her bipolar disorder."

Patience replied: "Klonapin is prescribed for depression and for controlling seizures. Same with Depakote."

denial_withatwist replied: "I was prescribed Klonapin for my anxiety disorder. It's a benzodiazepine used to treat seizures and panic disorder (according to my fact sheet my pharmacy gave me) My doctor gave it to me because I used to have panic attacks, usually my heart pounding and racing."