Hi everyone, I’ve recently been prescribed Fluoxetine. I’m on 20 mg a day, and have started it to help with panic attacks, anxiety and depression. I’m only 3 days in and really suffering with increased anxiety, panic, racing heart, feel shaky, very tired and bad nausea. Yesterday was so bad I couldn’t get out of bed until midday as I kept fainting every time I stood up, not so bad today, I just woke up later and took it easy, but that was a really scary horrendous experience. On top of everything I just feel ‘weird’, I can’t explain it, I just don’t feel like myself.
Just wondering if anyone else experienced this and if it passed / how long it will take to pass.
Or do you think maybe I should ask my doctor to start at a lower dose?
This feels pretty unbearable at the moment.
Fluoxetine side effects 20mg help please?
Question posted by Earthboundmisfit on 6 Jan 2018
Last updated on 30 October 2019 by Primrose19421
5 Answers
Hi
I am taking fluoxetine and I am 3 weeks and 1 day of taking it, all of these anti-depressants have bad side effects to start with, but after two weeks it start to ease, my friend is on citalopram and she said she had bad side effects from that for a few weeks, but your Doctor knows you best, hope you soon feel better.
It does take time, I am feeling a lot better the low mood has gone, but they say to get the full effects it can take from 4-6 weeks, I have taken these before and felt very good, I wish I had never come off them, and at last I am able to enjoy my meals, didn’t eat hardly anything.
this drug worked for me many years ago (30 years) and I resumed taking it 3 years ago. All of these drugs have side effects. Give it a chance. many drugs are promoted as the next miracle initially but you have to decide yourself if it is helping you. I asked my Doc if I should try any of the newer drugs that were supposed to be better and she said stick with the plan. Give it a couple of months before you ask your doc about other meds. these often do not have an effect for a couple of months. Given that, give it Tim,e to work but remember that it is just a jump start for you to pick up the reigns to making yourself feel better.
Thank you for your response.
Since I posted this question, my doctor has actually taken me off fluoxetine as he was concerned about how I was reacting to it.
I did want to perservere with it, however, I was pretty much bed ridden by side effects - mainly because I kept fainting when I stood up. I did explain that I’d like to perservere with it but my doctor was adamant I come off it.
It’s strange because I have taken anti depressants in the past, years ago, and had no real side effects - may be minor ones, but nothing extreme.
I now have to wait to start Citalopram. Starting at a low dose initially and then working up to a higher dose over time.
So I will have to see how that goes.
Thank you for your response though.
I take fluoxetine everyday and the only side effect I have is dry mouth.
Hi, Earthbound! Sidekick is right ~ these are "normal" side effects that a few sensitive people experience when starting Prozac (and many other antidepressants/anxiolytics) although it's sounds like it's hitting you pretty hard.
The good news is that it should only last a few days to a week or so and you should feel better every day that you take it because your metabolism will adjust to the drug quickly.
Try to be patient and hang in there because you should be feeling better very soon.
Thank you both for your kind comments, it’s very helpful and reassuring to know that these are just normal side effects, I was getting a bit worried because they were quite intense and as it is the weekend I can’t speak to a doctor about it, so thank you for your reassurance.
It’s somewhat common for your symptoms to worsen in your first week, especially if you’re younger. Not sure why, but it’s a real thing. 3 days in, you’re really in it, so there wouldn’t be any sense in going to a lower dose when you’re already so close to this phase being done. If you’re still experiencing worsened symptoms at day 8, call your doc!
Related topics
depression, anxiety, panic disorder, fluoxetine, side effect, prescription
Further information
- Fluoxetine uses and safety info
- Fluoxetine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Fluoxetine (detailed)
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