I started on Prozac 20 days ago on 5 mg and went up to 10 then 15 then 20 mg in approx 10 days. I had panic, agitation, sleeplessness and a feeling of being very drugged and high. On the lower doses in the beginning where I was vomiting and nausea. I then started to decrease the dose back to 15, now I'm on 10. I'm still experiencing a huge rush two hours after ingesting the tablet. I'm feeling weird and out if it. My thoughts are darker and unsettled.I am tempted to reduce down to 5mg. I'm taking 1 to 2 mg prescribed lorazapam a day to cope with the symptoms of anxiety and agitation. Can success be achieved on 5 mg?
How to tolerate Prozac side effects?
Question posted by Anonymous on 19 Jan 2024
Last updated on 20 January 2024
Answers
WildcatVet
19 Jan 2024
Hi, Vevee!
You went up on your dosage waaaay too fast not allowing time for your metabolism to adjust to the drug. Everybody responds differently but usually you stay on a given dosage for a week or more before increasing. Side effects should be minimal at 5mg but you'd need to give it a week or two for the side effects to subside. It's possible that the 5mg could be therapeutic - again it depends on your response - but it takes about two weeks to start feeling the benefits and 6-8 weeks for the medication to become fully effective.
That all being said, I have to add that any dosage adjustments should be made under the supervision of your prescribing doctor and they should also be informed of your side effects
Inactive
19 Jan 2024
Thanks for your reply. I agree; I wish I took it slower and stayed on 5 mg for 2 weeks. I took the initial doses up to 20 mg in a mental health clinic and left with the option of staying on 15/10. I'm also waiting for the genomic test results to see how well I metabolize antidepressants. That may help with dose but it takes 2 weeks. My greatest concern is how it hits me so hard after Ingesting. I can't drive or go out in that condition, it makes me really wired and it's overwhelming. That's why I feel I should go lower, and I'll talk to my GP this Tuesday. I am wondering if anyone gets that crazy rush when the meds hit the system? I hope that is something that goes away because it is intolerable for me.
Related topics
prozac, panic disorder, agitation, side effect, dosage
Further information
- Prozac uses and safety info
- Prozac prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prozac (detailed)
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