Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Prozac belongs to the antidepressants known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It is often prescribed to treat mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and depression. Since this medication affects brain chemistry, it should not be stopped without consulting your doctor. If your doctor recommends that you stop taking Prozac, follow these steps. The time it takes to completely stop taking Prozac may depend on how long you have been taking this medication and the dosage you are prescribed.

Steps

1. 1 Talk to your doctor about your reasons for stopping Prozac. If you feel that you no longer need this medicine or if you are experiencing side effects, tell your doctor. This will help your doctor make the right decision about whether or not you should stop taking Prozac.
2. 2 Follow your doctor's recommendations for reducing your Prozac dosage. Usually, when you stop taking antidepressants such as Prozac, the dosage is reduced gradually. This reduces the chance of side effects from stopping Prozac.
3. 3 Watch for dose reduction. Write down the date and dosage you took. If you reduce the dosage of a medication, taking it every other day, or reducing the dose every day, keeping records can help you avoid confusion.
4. 4 Watch for symptoms. Even if you simply reduce your Prozac dosage, you may still notice symptoms such as sleep problems, weakness, dizziness, and anxiety. Some people may also experience headache, nausea, muscle pain, increased sweating, and increased heart rate. Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects from stopping Prozac.
5. 5 Record the date of your last dose of Prozac. Some medications should not be taken until 5 weeks have passed since the last dose of Prozac. Knowing when you stopped taking Prozac will help you determine when you can start taking a new drug.

Tips

• During the period when you stop taking Prozac, you must eat well, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. A healthy lifestyle will help you feel better and may even increase your chances of successfully stopping Prozac.
• If you do get symptoms from stopping the drug, you may need to increase your dose of Prozac slightly and reduce the dose more slowly to relieve these symptoms.This does not mean that you cannot stop taking the medication. It just means that it may take a little longer.

Warnings

• If your symptoms of depression worsen when you reduce your dose of Prozac, see your doctor right away.
• Do not change the dosage reduction regimen without first discussing it with your doctor.
• Never stop taking Prozac without first talking to your doctor.