When do prozac withdrawal symptoms start

Stone MB. The FDA warning on antidepressants and suicidality--why the controversy? N Engl J Med. Switching and stopping antidepressants. Aust Prescr. Withdrawal symptoms after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: a systematic review. Psychother Psychosom. Tapering of SSRI treatment to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. Lancet Psychiatry. Front Psychiatry. Food and Drug Administration. Prozac label. Updated April 28, Analysis of depressive episodes, their recurrence and pharmacologic treatment in primary care patients: A retrospective descriptive study.

PLoS One. Prevention of relapse and recurrence in adults with major depressive disorder: Systematic review and meta-analyses of controlled trials. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. American Psychological Association. Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of depression across three age cohorts. Published February The safety, tolerability and risks associated with the use of newer generation antidepressant drugs: A critical review of the literature.

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Table of Contents. Long-Term Treatment. A Word From Verywell. What Is Drug Withdrawal? Types of Psychotherapy for Depression. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. Prozac has an approximate half-life of 5 days , which is much longer than that of many other antidepressants. A study notes that severe withdrawal symptoms are less common with fluoxetine than with other antidepressants. However, withdrawal from Prozac typically lasts longer than it does for drugs with a shorter half-life.

Withdrawal symptoms typically occur a few days after a person tapers their dosage. Common symptoms associated with reducing the dosage of Prozac include :. Typically, antidepressant discontinuation symptoms persist for up to 3 weeks. However, in some cases, symptoms may last for up to 6 weeks , and they can occasionally continue for up to 1 year. 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, although they do not tend to be severe. When a person decides that they are ready to discontinue Prozac, a doctor will likely recommend gradually reducing, or tapering, their dosage. Tapering usually lasts 4 weeks , but a doctor may suggest tapering the medication over 6—8 weeks to reduce the risk or severity of symptoms.

Due to the long half-life of Prozac, some people may not need to taper off and can simply stop taking it. However, a person should only do this under the guidance of a doctor.

According to Mind , the following self-care tips may also help a person coming off antidepressant medication:. A doctor may suggest therapy or counseling if the underlying condition remains after stopping the medication.

This treatment approach may help a person understand, manage, and overcome the underlying cause of their mental health condition. Learn more about how to stop antidepressants safely. Antidepressants, such as Prozac, typically carry a black box warning , as they may worsen symptoms of depression or suicidal ideation and cause unusual changes in behavior in adults less than 24 years of age.

People taking Prozac and their loved ones or caregivers should watch for certain signs and symptoms. These may include :. Prozac may also interact with other medications or supplements and increase the risk of side effects.

It is advisable to talk with a doctor before taking Prozac if currently taking :. Discontinuing an antidepressant can increase the risk of relapse, or the return of symptoms, for anxiety and depression. The long duration of Prozac withdrawal symptoms may also increase the likelihood of the person mistaking them for returning symptoms.

Abruptly stopping antidepressants can lead to rebound depression , in which symptoms return more intensely than before. It is important for doctors to determine the difference between withdrawal symptoms and returning symptoms, such as the return of depression. It is also important to monitor for a return of depressive symptoms.

Stopping fluoxetine can cause several withdrawal symptoms, including flu-like symptoms, digestive issues, sleep problems, and mood changes.

Serotonin is a chemical that transmits messages between nerve cells. Known as the happy chemical, it may help prevent depression. Read on to find out…. Find out about the different types of antidepressants, how they work, any adverse effects, when you can take them, and the alternatives available.

What are the potential symptoms of Zoloft withdrawal? Read on to learn more about the symptoms, their duration, and when to see a doctor. Serotonin syndrome occurs when a person takes one or more drugs that cause a buildup of serotonin in the body. Find out the causes, symptoms, and…. Learn more about 6 natural antidepressants and how effective they are. We also discuss other treatments, how to prevent depression, and when to see a…. Fluoxetine Fluoxetine withdrawal Symptoms Duration Treatments Pregnancy When to seek help Long-term treatment Summary Stopping antidepressants, including fluoxetine, can give rise to withdrawal symptoms.

What is fluoxetine? What is fluoxetine withdrawal? Signs and symptoms. How long does fluoxetine withdrawal last? Treatments and self-care. When to seek help.

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