How long do side effects last after stopping Prozac? I have recently weaned off it.

As per my doctor I stopped 20 mg. of Prozac after 8 months of use on December 31. This week my chest has been hurting due to anxiety. Just wondering how long until this drug is totally out of my system and is This a side effect from coming off. If so how long until they subside? TIA

I have cut back on Prozac [40mg] after 33 years of use because it has led to Tardive Dyskenesia, and my doctor is hoping a reduction in Prozac will reduce the symptoms of TD. Even after only a couple of weeks, I am beginning to have all the symptoms of withdrawal.

The person above described my history and symptoms. what other response are you looking for?

I also am having the same symtems as you are. I was on Prozac 40 mg Dailey for two years. I stopped taking the medication in December and it is now March. I am going through all these symptoms also the tiredness agitations and brain zaps. This will get better with time it used to be so much worse. What was everyday is now weaning down. I still feel anger and sadness overcome me, I just keep fighting it. I want off the medication more than anything. Keep at it eventually it will be better.

I was recently tajen off of prozac and put on zymbalta, i had to get the prozac out of my sustom first and had been on it for several years. It took two weeks for it to completely get out of my system and for me, i only delt with mild paronoia and sleelessness til i started my new meds... my sugestion would be to keep a daily diary as i did to monitor how you r doing that way you can dicuss it with youre dr. As coming off of any anti-deptesent/pjychotic drug, can be differnt for everyone

Hi everyone, wish I'd found this guide four months ago. After over 10 years taking 20mg fluoxetine I have finally came off them. Although I'd had no problems whilst taking them I always felt as if I didn't experience real emotions. Finally I started weaning myself off by taking one every other day then cut them out totally. Was ok for first few weeks then I started to experience episodes of sweating, really bad irritability and aches in legs, back and arms. The fatigue was the worst and this has only just started to improve.
There was points where I felt desperate to start taking the pills again but I perservered and I feel practically normal now. Good Luck to you all, it can be done !!

Just to add my 5 cents worth, I too have recently decided to stop taking prozac. Been on them for about 10 years at 40mg a day.

First 2 weeks I didn't notice anything out the ordinary, but now in weeks 3/4 I have always got this banging headache which comes and goes, the occasional period of extreme sweats. And last of all a feeling in my head that I can't really describe, it feels like when I exert myself,stand or do any lite physical activity, that all the blood rushes from my head. I don't really know how else to describe it. But that's my experience thus far, hopefully it subsides. Anyone else had similar?

Prozac stays in your system for 25 days! I have been on a 40mg dose off and on for six years. I am going off it again now, but this time I'm doing it in a way that won't leave me in the hospital. Withdrawal symptoms include tiredness, irritability, CRAMPING, insomnia. Basically it's like being on your period 24/7, but the full side effects don't hit you until a month or 4 months later. It really depends on the amount and duration you've been taking Prozac. Remember unlike other anti-depressants Prozac will stay in your system for 25 days so you won't feel any withdrawal symptoms the day or two or week after you stop.

I am wheening off this powerful drug slowly and listening to my body. Once a day to a few times a week, once a week, twice a month, once a month, and finally.. Never again!

Okay has anyone found out if it is just the withdrawal that makes you feel like the Incredible Hulk, whole body he could feel like it was going to tingle its way out of your skin or is this the depression we felt before Prozac?

:) Hannah

The rebound effect of depression/anxiety returning when stopping antidepressants is very common because the drug doesn't *cure* the illness ~ it controls the symptoms.
Unless someone is experiencing unbearable side effects I've never understood why they need to feel they must stop their medications.

I have been taking 20mg a day for 15 years. With my doctor's guidance, I recently tapered the dosage, and took the last tablet 3 weeks ago.
The first 2 weeks were great, but now I feel hollow, drained, dis-interested in life. Obviously, I cannot say whether this stage will pass, so cannot give a direct answer to your question, but at least I can say that I am there with you, and the hope that one day I will be free of both the drug and the withdrawal effects is enough for me to hold onto for now. If it shapes up to be a lifetime problem then it's back to the tablets for me.

I have been on 20 mg Prozac for 20 years. As I am aging, I would like to get off it. I ran out so started to get off it. In 4 days my refills came and I took one. I plan on one every 4 days for a week, then 2 a week for two weeks then quit. I am feeling super tired. I have talked to my doctor and he thinks this will be ok. If it isn't, can I go back on them?

Hi me too,
I had been taking prozac for a number of years and weaned myself off in February. It have been irritable my body aches, my feet hurt to walk on when I first start walking. I get some horrible feelings at times. I cry and feel sad. It is going on 5 months and I fear it will stay lime this. I read someone's post that said it was a year and a half and they still felt these symptoms. I hope that won't be my case because I am going to continue drug free!
If anyone out there can say they made it through the side effects of long term use to be medication free please post. I feel that my life has been taken from me. I thank others for posting the side effects of prozac use, and trying to be free of it. Good luck to all. Again, please post if you made it through the withdrawals and how long (months or years) it took for you.

HI, I have been on prozac 60 mg for a very long time, several years, and I am planning to stay with it but I am interested in how the weaning goes. I also take wellbutrin XL to amplify the prozac and Lamictial as a stabilizer. Please let me know how you do, I may have to wean one day and all the info I can acquire is an asset. Good luck to you and stay in close contact with your health professionals. Tige