Long Term Effects Of Prozac
If taken as prescribed by a physician, Prozac is generally safe to use for the conditions mentioned above. Fluoxetine and other antidepressants were originally designed to be taken for a short term. However, many physicians and psychiatrists have continued to prescribe these medications for people who have taken them for years. A data analysis completed by The New York Times, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, found that almost 7 percent of adults in the United States have taken prescription antidepressants for at least 5 years. White women over the age of 45 made up 58 percent of this group.8
How Much Do Zoloft And Prozac Cost
Zoloft and Prozac are very similar in price. But there are differences worth noting.
The cash price for sertraline, the generic version of Zoloft, is about $40 for thirty 100 mg tablets , while thirty 20 mg tablets of fluoxetine, the generic version of Prozac, is about $31.
The brand versions of both drugs are much more expensive. But Zoloft is actually cheaper on the brand side. It costs $442 for thirty 100 mg tablets, while thirty 20 mg tablets of Prozac cost about $472.
The generic versions of both drugs are more likely to be covered by insurance plans because they cost less. You can also save on these medications using a GoodRx coupon or filling a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day.
Side Effects Of Pristiq For Anxiety
SNRIs increase adrenaline activity in the body. Many believe that some people may actually experience an increase in their anxiety symptoms – especially their physical anxiety symptoms – if they go on a drug like Pristiq. Be careful about taking any drug and monitor how you feel. If you think your anxiety gets worse on Pristiq, contact your doctor immediately.
Also, all antidepressants run the risk of causing the opposite effect – increasing depression and suicidal ideation. If for any reason you feel more depressed or suicidal on Pristiq, contact your doctor as quickly as possible, as this may be a side effect of the medication.
According to research, nausea appears to be the most common side effect of Pristiq. As many as 30% of those taking the drug report nausea that was severe enough to discontinue its use.
Other side effects include:
- Increased Cholesterol
- Seizures
Nausea still appears to be the most common problem with Pristiq. The drug is otherwise fairly well-tolerated.
Recommended Reading: What Type Of Magnesium For Anxiety
Can Wellbutrin Help Anxiety
Although anxiety can be a side effect, there is data that supports the effectiveness of Wellbutrin in treating anxiety disorders.
Research shows that bupropion XL is as effective as escitalopram, a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor when used to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder . This means that Wellbutrin can well be used as a second or third line treatment for GAD.
Additionally, a study on bupropion demonstrated that it can help treat panic disorder. In this study, patients suffering with panic disorder who were given 150mg of bupropion daily had significantly reduced anxiety symptoms.
What Are Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders affect 31.9 percent of people between the ages of 13 and 18, and women are twice as likely to develop an anxiety disorder as men. Common examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, substance-induced anxiety disorder and specific phobias.
An anxiety disorder does more than make you anxious. They can affect your entire life. Plus, untreated anxiety can lead to other mental health disorders and physical conditions, Alonzo said. We have no way of predicting what will cause someone to develop an anxiety disorder. However, you can take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms such as getting help from a health care professional early and avoiding the use of non-prescribed drugs and alcohol.
Also Check: What Pills Help With Anxiety
Precautions Before Taking Wellbutrin
As with other medication, here are some precautions that you need to take before consuming Wellbutrin.
Be aware that there have been reports of changes in behavior such as hostility, agitation, depression as well as suicidal thoughts when this medication is taken to help people stop smoking. These symptoms can start when u first take bupropion or after a few weeks on this medication. These symptoms can occur in people without a history of mental illness and are seemingly worse in people who suffer from mental illness.
Do contact your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal thoughts, anxiety, agitation, hostile behavior, increased risk taking, hallucinations, and confusions. Be sure that you have someone close to you who knows these signs and symptoms, especially if you are not able to seek treatment on your own.
You should also be aware of the ingredients used to make Wellbutrin especially if you have experienced allergies to any other medication before. Before starting on this medication, inform your doctor and/or pharmacist what other medication, supplements, vitamins as well as herbal products that you are taking, including non-prescription medication.
Also, check that other medication that you are taking does not contain bupropion as this will cause you to take too big a dosage and increase unwanted side effects.
You Dont Necessarily Have To Stop Taking Your Antidepressant If Youre Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
Some antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, are considered safe to take while pregnant and breastfeeding.
Women and their doctors must make a risk-benefit calculation, Dr. Cox says. While its best to be on the fewest medications possible during pregnancy, the risk of untreated symptoms of depression and anxiety may be greater than any risk from medication.
When moderate to severe, untreated symptoms can pose risk of serious harm to the mother and baby, Dr. Cox says. These symptoms deserve to be treated just like any other health condition that arises during a pregnancy.
Donât Miss: What Does Social Anxiety Mean
Don’t Miss: What Can You Do For Anxiety
According To Our Experts Some Drawbacks Of Using Prozac Can Be:
If you tell someone your dog is taking Prozac, its not uncommon to get a raised eyebrow, experts say.
The stigma is that many people think its unconscionable to give human psychoactive medication to a dog, Dodman says. They clearly do not understand that it can be life-saving. The same people may shun that kind of medicine themselves, again, for no good reason.
4. Could theoretically carry the risk of overdose, although extremely difficult, according to Dodman.
is a very safe drug, far safer than a lot of other medications that people take without qualms, Dodman says. It is true, though, that if you take two serotonin medications together at high doses, the so-called serotonin syndrome theoretically could be triggered.
Serotonin syndrome is the accumulation of too much of the serotonin chemical in the body, and symptoms include fever, muscle twitching, convulsions and more.
I have never seen it, and Ive never heard of it being reported in the vet literature, but it is a theoretical possibility, Dodman says.
Which One Works Better
Few studies directly compare Zoloft and Prozac in treating anxiety. However, they appear to be equally effective in improving anxiety in studies involving depression.
One study that compared the 2 for treatment of major depression found that the drugs both improved symptoms in patients, including anxiety.
Another study that compared Zoloft, Prozac, and Paxil in the treatment of major depression with high anxiety found no significant differences between the 3 drugs in terms of effectiveness, and all of them improved symptoms.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get Over Anxiety
Prozac Dosage For Anxiety
Every patient is different. Individual dosages can vary depending on the person taking the medication, their general health, age, and the nature of their anxiety disorder.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder : It is recommended that most patients with OCD should begin by taking 20 mg of Prozac by mouth every day. If your doctor believes you would benefit from a higher dose, they will gradually increase it by 20 mg over every few months. As a rule, patients should not take more than 80 mg by mouth a day when treating OCD.
- Panic Disorder:Its recommended that most patients with panic disorder should begin by taking 10 mg of Prozac by mouth every day before their dose is gradually increased to 20 mg and beyond. Patients with panic disorders should not take more than 60 mg by mouth a day to treat their condition.
Prozac is also approved for pediatric patients over the age of 7 with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Most pre-adolescent children should begin taking 10 mg of medication by mouth every day before their dosage increases to 20 mg after two weeks of treatment, while adolescents may be prescribed doses as high as 60 mg daily.
If you or your child has anxiety and are wondering what dosage might help manage those symptoms, please seek medical advice from a healthcare professional.
Are There Any Drug Interactions I Should Be Aware Of
The following medications should be used with caution when given with fluoxetine: anticoagulants, aspirin, buspirone, cyproheptadine, diazepam, alprazolam, diuretics, flea/tick collars, insulin, isoniazid, monoamine oxidase inhibitors , methadone, NSAIDs, pentazocine, phenytoin, propranolol, metoprolol, St. Johns wort, tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants , or trazodone.
Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any medications that your pet is taking.
Recommended Reading: Does Pristiq Help With Anxiety
Prozac For Anxiety: Dosage Side Effects Interactions & More
Anxiety is a normal human emotion, but when someone suffers from intrusive, intense anxiety symptoms that impacts their daily life, they have an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States. , more than 40 million Americans, or 18% of our population, will have an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
Fortunately, there are several prescription medications available for patients who need help managing their symptoms. Prozac is one of several antidepressant medications that can be a great option for treating anxiety.
Prozac has been FDA-approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder , obsessive compulsive disorder , and depressive episodes related to bipolar I disorder in both adults and children. It is also approved for adults suffering from panic disorder, bulimia nervosa, and treatment-resistant depression.
It can also sometimes be prescribed for social anxiety disorder , premenstrual dysphoric disorder , generalized anxiety disorder , and post-traumatic stress disorder .
Side Effects Of Antidepressant Medications
All medications can have side-effects. Some people experience no side-effects. Others may find the side-effects distressing. In most cases, side-effects lessen as treatment continues.
Treatment is usually started at a low dose, to minimize side-effects, and then slowly increased until the ideal dose is found. The ideal dose is one that provides the greatest benefit with minimum side-effects.
If you are experiencing side effects, check the information given to you by your doctor or pharmacist on the specific effects of any drug you have been prescribed. If side-effects are not mild and tolerable, it is best to continue taking your medication as prescribed but let your doctor know as soon as possible. Your doctor may:
- encourage you to wait a little longer for the side-effects to fade
- adjust your dose
- suggest you take the medication at a different time of day
- prescribe other medications to help control side-effects
- change your medication
- stop medication treatment and suggest a different type of treatment approach.
Side-effects vary depending on the type of medication. More information on side-effects is included for each type of types of antidepressant.
You can help to control possible side-effects on your own by:
Do antidepressants increase the risk of suicide?
Before starting treatment, prepare for the possibility of feeling worse before you feel better. Know what supports are available to you and who you can call.
You May Like: How To Relax Throat Muscles Anxiety
When Should I Call A Doctor
If your child or teen is taking an SSRI, your doctor will monitor your childs symptoms closely on a regular basis.
You should call your doctor immediately if your child or teen experiences any of these uncommon side effects:
- becomes impulsive or hyperactive.
- becomes uncharacteristically happy or irritable.
- shows signs of self-harm
- talks about or gives any indication they are thinking about suicide.
How To Use Fluoxetine For Anxiety
Whether you take brand-name Prozac or generic fluoxetine, using fluoxetine to treat anxiety is generally a straightforward process.
Fluoxetine is available as a capsule, tablet or oral solution . Your mental health provider will generally prescribe fluoxetine for use either one time per day in the morning or twice a day in the morning and at midday.
For panic disorder, fluoxetine is usually prescribed at an initial dosage of 10mg per day. Your mental health provider may adjust your dosage based on the severity of your panic symptoms and your response to fluoxetine.
For obsessive-compulsive disorder, fluoxetine is usually prescribed at a dosage of 20mg daily, taken in the morning. This may also be adjusted over time based on your needs and general response to treatment.
Since fluoxetine isnt FDA-approved for social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions, the FDA doesnt provide specific dosage instructions for these uses. As such, theres no single fluoxetine dosage for anxiety.
If youre prescribed fluoxetine off-label to treat social anxiety, PTSD or other anxiety disorders, your mental health provider will choose an appropriate dose based on your anxiety symptoms and personal needs.
Also Check: Does Vyvanse Help With Anxiety
Are There Any Side Effects Of Taking An Ssri
Most side effects are mild and temporary. Your child may:
- have an upset stomach,
- notice changes to sleep ,
- feel unusually restless,
- have headaches, or
- have appetite changes.
In most cases, these side effects should decrease over time. If you have any other problems, or if these side effects become a problem, talk to your doctor.
What Dosage Of Lamictal Should You Take For Anxiety
Because lamotrigine is not FDA approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders, no dosage guidelines have been established for this indication. If you were to test the efficacy lamotrigine as an intervention for your anxiety, it is necessary to work with a knowledgeable psychiatrist who can first ensure that lamotrigine is safe to administer in accordance with your current medical status, medical history, and/or other substances that you use. Some individuals will be unsuited to administer lamotrigine due to the fact that they have a medical contraindication and/or are taking another drug that would cause a serious interaction.
Assuming lamotrigine is safe for you to take, a psychiatrist will likely initiate treatment with a low dose and gradually titrate it upwards until your symptoms subside. By gradually titrating the dosage upwards, your nervous system is given adequate time to adjust to the effects of lamotrigine whereby the likelihood of serious adverse reactions is minimized. Since everyone is different based on factors such as age, body size , genetics, neurochemistry, and health not everyone should expect to respond to the same amount of lamotrigine.
Also Check: Where Does Anxiety Come From