Stop taking Prozac

Content

To step
Method 1 of 3: Understanding your medication
Method 2 of 3: Talk to your doctor
Method 3 of 3: Changing your lifestyle
Tips
Warnings

Prozac (or fluoxetine) is an antidepressant, a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). These types of drugs are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. Prozac can be prescribed for the treatment of a variety of conditions, such as depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorders, bulimia nervosa, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It is usually prescribed in the treatment of depression. Since Prozac affects your brain chemistry, you can never be discontinued without consulting your doctor. Prescription medication discontinuation should be under the supervision of a physician. If your doctor does recommend stopping Prozac, follow their directions and read the steps below. How long it takes to completely stop taking Prozac may depend on how long you have been on the medication, the dose that has been prescribed, the condition you are being treated for, and other medications you may be taking.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Understanding your medication

Learn how Prozac works. Prozac works by inhibiting the reuptake (or "reuptake") by the receptors in your brain of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is a naturally occurring chemical "messenger" (neurotransmitter) that helps balance your mood. Research suggests that serotonin deficiency may be a contributing factor in clinical depression. Prozac stops your receptors from absorbing too much serotonin, leaving more of it available in your body.
- Prozac is an SSRI because it is "selective". It appears to act on serotonin, not any of the other neurotransmitters that are also partly responsible for your mood.
Be aware of side effects. Prozac can cause some side effects. Many of these will be mild or go away after four or five weeks. Consult your doctor if you have serious side effects or complaints, or if they do not go away. Possible side effects are:
- Nervousness
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Changes in sex drive or functioning
- Excessive sweating
Recognize serious side effects. In some cases, Prozac can cause side effects that require immediate medical attention. Prozac is known to increase suicidal thoughts, especially in people under the age of 24. If you have such thoughts of suicide or are contemplating plans to harm or kill yourself, search immediately medical assistance. Call immediately with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- New depression or worsening of the current depression
- Extreme feelings of worry, agitation or panic
- Aggressive behavior or irritability
- Act without thinking
- Severe restlessness
- Feelings of frenzied, abnormal arousal
Wonder if Prozac is the cause of your symptoms. In general, Prozac is an effective antidepressant for most people. However, it may not work with everyone's brain or neurochemistry. If you experience any of the following after taking Prozac, talk to your doctor. These may indicate that your depression or disorder is not being adequately controlled by the medication.
- You are experiencing serious or ongoing side effects (as mentioned above)
- You continue to experience a loss of interest in pleasurable activities or hobbies
- Your fatigue is not improving
- Your sleep is disturbed (insomnia, excessive sleep)
- You keep having trouble concentrating
- Your appetite changes
- You suffer from physical pain and complaints
Understand the dangers of stopping antidepressants. Because antidepressants change your brain chemistry, stopping without medical supervision can lead to serious complaints.
- Longer-acting drugs, such as Prozac, usually have fewer side effects when discontinued. However, you can still experience side effects, such as:
  - Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or cramping
  - Sleep complaints, such as insomnia or nightmares
  - Balance disorders, such as dizziness or light-headedness
  - Sensory or movement complaints, such as numbness, tingling, tremors and lack of physical coordination
  - Feelings of anxiety, irritability and agitation
- Taking antidepressants should be tapered off slowly over a period of time by gradually reducing the dose. This is also known as "tapering". Tapering can take weeks or months, depending on the antidepressant, how long you have been using it and what symptoms you have. Your doctor will determine the best way for you to gradually reduce your doses of Prozac.
- A relapse of depressive symptoms can occur once you stop taking Prozac. In order to be able to distinguish between the complaints that you can get from stopping the medication and a relapse, you have to think back to when your complaints started, how long they last and what kind of complaints it concerns.
- Withdrawal symptoms usually develop quickly. They will usually improve after one to two weeks. They are often accompanied by more physical complaints, such as nausea or pain and discomfort.
- Relapse symptoms develop gradually after two to three weeks. They usually worsen over the course of two to four weeks. If any complaint persists for more than a month, consult your doctor.

Method 2 of 3: Talk to your doctor

Ask your doctor why you should take Prozac. Since Prozac can be prescribed for a variety of conditions, you should ask your doctor why he prescribed Prozac for you. He / she may be able to recommend other medications for your condition.
- In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking Prozac if he / she thinks you are no longer at risk for (or no longer having) chronic or recurring depression. If recommended by your doctor, it will usually occur after you have taken the medication for at least 6 to 12 months.
Talk to your doctor about why you want to stop taking Prozac. Tell your doctor about any serious, persistent side effects of Prozac. If you've been taking Prozac for more than eight weeks and don't feel like it is helping your condition, explain what symptoms you continue to experience. This information will help your doctor make an informed decision and whether the time is right to stop taking Prozac.
Ask your doctor to discuss the process of tapping the drug with you. It is critical to understand and follow your doctor's recommendations exactly. Depending on how long you have been taking Prozac and the dosage, your doctor may or may not choose to taper your medication gradually. Follow your doctor's instructions to the letter to avoid serious side effects.
- Prozac usually has fewer withdrawal symptoms because it has a longer "half-life".The half-life is the time it takes your body to halve the concentration of the drug in your blood. A longer half-life like Prozac's means that it stays in your body longer. This means that the concentration of the drug in your body will not suddenly decrease, which may lead to fewer withdrawal symptoms.
- If you have only been taking Prozac for a short time, such as six to 12 weeks, or are on a small dose (such as 20 mg per day), your doctor may not recommend a gradual tapering of your dose.
- Keep a tapering schedule. Write down the date and dose you took each day. This will ensure that you have followed your doctor's directions.
Document any withdrawal symptoms. Even if you taper off Prozac, it is still possible to experience withdrawal symptoms such as those listed elsewhere in this article. Consult with your doctor if you experience any withdrawal symptoms or other unusual symptoms.
- Remember that stopping your medication can cause depression to recur. Keep your doctor informed about how you are feeling. If you're concerned about a relapse, see your doctor for advice.
- Whether or not you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, keep your doctor informed of the progress. Your doctor will continue to monitor you for at least a few months after you stop.
Take new prescription medication properly. Your doctor may prescribe a different medicine for your depression or disorder. Make sure to follow your doctor's directions for taking the medication.
- Your doctor's recommendations take into account your own preferences, previous response to medication, effectiveness, safety and tolerability, costs, side effects, and interactions with other medications you are taking.
- If Prozac does not provide enough control over your depression, your doctor may recommend a drug in the same class of SSRIs, such as Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), Celexa (citalopram) or Lexapro (escitalopram).
- Other classes of medications the doctor can try if you're experiencing side effects or if your depression isn't being properly treated include:
  - Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Effexor (venlafaxine)
  - Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as Elavil (amitriptyline)
  - Aminoketone antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion)
Consider psychotherapy. Several studies show that people who are treated by a therapist while stopping their antidepressants are less likely to experience a relapse into depression. Therapy can teach you how to deal with unhealthy thoughts and behavior. It gives you tools for managing your stress, anxiety, and responses to life. There are many different types of therapies and treatment plans that will depend on your individual situation. Your doctor can refer you to a therapist in your area.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has a strong reputation for effectively treating depression. The goal is to help you think more positively and to challenge negative thoughts and behaviors. A behavioral therapist will help you identify useless thinking habits and false beliefs. These can help reduce symptoms of depression.
- Examples of other therapies are interpersonal therapy (focuses on improving communication patterns), family therapy (helps resolve family conflicts and improves communication within the family), or psychodynamic therapy (focuses on developing self-awareness).
- You may need to try a few forms of therapy (as well as a few therapists) before you find one that works best for you.
Consider acupuncture. While this is not part of the official recommendations for drug withdrawal or depression treatment, acupuncture may be helpful for some people. Acupuncture is a technique in which thin needles are inserted into different areas of the body to relieve symptoms. This should only be done by a trained, licensed acupuncturist. Consult your doctor if you are considering acupuncture. Your doctor can recommend an acupuncturist. Acupuncture may not be right for everyone.
- One study suggests that electroacupuncture, in which a mild electrical current flows through the acupuncture needles, is as effective as Prozac in reducing depressive symptoms, and can work even faster.
- The NPVA, the Dutch Patient Association for Acupuncture, is an umbrella organization for finding recognized acupuncturists in the Netherlands. You can find a licensed acupuncturist in your area through their website.
- Keep your doctor informed about acupuncture or alternative treatments you are taking. This information must be kept in your medical file. All of your healthcare providers should work together to ensure you get the best care.

Method 3 of 3: Changing your lifestyle

Eat good. No diet has been shown to reduce or "cure" depression. However, a healthy, balanced diet will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to fight disease. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and lean protein.
- Avoid highly processed foods, refined sugars and "empty" calories. These provide very few nutrients for the amount of calories you consume, and can leave you feeling hungry. They can also cause fluctuations in blood sugar, which can affect your mood.
- Eat foods with B12 and folate to help regulate your mood. Liver, chicken, and fish are good sources of B12. Beets, lentils, almonds, spinach and liver contain folate.
- Foods rich in selenium can help with depressive symptoms. Good sources are Brazil nuts, cod, walnuts and poultry.
- Foods high in tryptophan, in combination with vitamin B6, can be converted by your body into serotonin. Tryptophan-rich foods are eg soybeans, cashew nuts, chicken fillet, salmon and oats.
- Studies suggest that consuming omega-3s on a regular basis can help regulate your mood. Flaxseed or canola oil, walnuts, kale, spinach and fatty fish such as salmon are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Oils such as corn, soybeans, and sunflower oil are low in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Also, talk to your doctor before taking omega-3 supplements, as they can aggravate some chronic illnesses. A dose of one to nine grams daily can be helpful for improving your mood.
Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol should be avoided while taking antidepressants. Even if you don't take antidepressants, you should watch your alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a narcotic, and a lot of alcohol can deplete your serotonin levels.
- Excessive alcohol consumption has also been linked to anxiety and panic attacks.
- By a "drink" we usually mean 33 cl of beer, 150 ml of wine, or 45 ml of spirits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US recommends that women drink no more than one drink per day and men no more than two drinks per day. This is considered "moderate" alcohol consumption.
Exercise regularly. Studies have shown that regular, moderate exercise - at least 30-35 minutes a day - stimulates the body's natural production of "lucky" substances (endorphins). Sport and exercise in general can also stimulate the production of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine. These can contribute to relieving the depressive symptoms.
- Regular exercise can improve mood in people who have mild to moderate symptoms of depression. It can also be used to support the treatment of major depression. However, if you find that even with regular exercise you continue to suffer from depression, contact your doctor.
Follow a regular sleep schedule. Depression can disrupt sleep in many cases. It is important to maintain good "sleep hygiene" to ensure that your body is rested. Good sleep hygiene includes the following steps:
- Make sure you go to bed and get up around the same time every day (even on weekends).
- Avoid bedtime stimulation. Activities such as exercising and things with screens, such as a TV or computer work, can disrupt your sleep patterns.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine before bed. While alcohol can make you feel sleepy, it can also interfere with your REM sleep.
- Reserve your bed to sleep in. Don't work in bed.
Get some sun. Some types of depression, such as those affected by the seasons (seasonal depression or SAD), can benefit from sunlight. Research suggests that sunlight can positively affect your serotonin levels. Lack of sunlight can also increase your body's production of melatonin, which can lead to depressive symptoms.
- If you can't get enough natural sunlight, consider light therapy. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you and what you need. In general, it is recommended that you use light therapy for at least 30 minutes every morning.
- If you're going outside to get some sunshine, make sure to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Choose a "broad spectrum" sunscreen.
Strengthen your support systems. Keep a family member or friend involved in the process of quitting Prozac. He or she may be able to support you emotionally or recognize signs of relapse. Tell him or her about the side effects or symptoms to watch out for.
- During withdrawal, keep in touch with your doctor. Let him know how far you are, how you feel and any complaints you have.
Try meditation. A Johns Hopkins review of studies suggests that 30 minutes of meditation daily can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Mindfulness has been extensively researched and has positive support for the reduction of depression and anxiety. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a common type of training that can help.
- Meditation usually consists of the following elements:
  - Concentration: Concentrate on a specific object, image, mantra or breath
  - Relaxed breathing: Slow, deep and steady breathing gives you more oxygen and reduces stress hormones
  - Quiet environment: Avoid distractions
- You can download various guided meditations online. MIT has relaxation and mindfulness meditation MP3s. The UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center has downloadable or streaming audio files for meditation.

Tips

Always eat well, exercise regularly and get enough sleep, but especially while tapering off Prozac. These healthy ways of living can help you feel good as you gradually taper off your medication.
If you do experience withdrawal symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Warnings

If the symptoms of depression get worse while you are tapering off Prozac, contact your doctor right away.
Do not change your tapering or tapering schedule without first talking to your doctor.
Never stop taking Prozac without first talking to your doctor.