If I stopped taking Prozac and then go on it again, will it still work?

Question

Hello.

So, this is probably just my anxiety acting up really badly, but, so I was prescribed 10mg Prozac about a month ago (a little more or a little less) and it worked amazingly for me. Well, my pills ended and I started feeling better, so I decided to stop using the medicine abruptly, which I now realize was a bad/incorrect thing to do, even though the withdrawal symptoms didn't even hit me, or at least went pretty by unnoticeably. Well, about a week or two later, something happened and my anxiety went crazy, which also then caused the depression to come back. I had to wait about a week and a half or so (or less) before I told my therapist and she told me that I should go back on the Prozac, which was a few days ago, where my depression started getting worse (and still is) Like, to the point where I started feeling so bad to where I am like asking myself what the meaning of life is and making my anxiety go crazy that I am having like suicidal thoughts, or whatever. Is that normal, by the way? For depression to get worse quickly if untreated?

Anyway, I started taking 10mg Prozac (my first pill) yesterday evening (about 6 PM). (By the way, I should probably mention that the first time I took Prozac I took it in the morning, but I am now taking it in the evenings. Should I go back to taking it in the morning, or it doesn't matter?) I know this is still REALLY early to start doubting the medication and everything, especially if it worked for me the first time, but I'm scared that it may not work for me again. Especially since the first time I stopped taking it so abruptly. I'm just so desperate to feel better again and scared that the depression will get even worse. I know it takes 4-12 weeks to start working to its full effect, but I am just terrified that the Prozac won't help me again, and then I'd end up taking a low dosage, still feeling like crap, just to see that I needed to up the dosage or switch medicines or something.

Anyway, yes, I'm sorry for such a long thing, but my anxiety is just really going crazy over this, like I'm just tired and terrified of feeling depressed like this. I've literally read so many articles online and it's just making me feel worse, seeing people coming off of Prozac and then going back on and not feeling better.

If anyone needs anymore information, I am very capable of giving it.

Thanks so much

Answer

Of course you can take again in the future - only catch is that every time you go off of them, the next time you restart drug therapy, it will not be as effective as it was the first time you started it. Eventually, it will not work at all -

N.B. I am not a Dr., my answer is based on personal experience, coupled with what info I have been able to find in various websites, including ones sponsored by a Pharm Companies.

Answer

Hi Millitrix:
My heart goes out to you.
I have gone off and on my medications for years, tried new ones, went back to old ones, and always ultimately end up going back to my "go to" antidepressant and anti anxiety medications.
Unfortunately, many times when we quit a med, or even go through a "dose change" (either up or down), it causes us to have to wait all over again for the med to become fully effective. But it will start to work the first week, usually, if it is a medication that worked for us before.
Anxiety/depression is such a debilitating condition to have to live with.
I am guilty of going off my meds at times when I started to feel better. Still do, at times, lol! Just have to test myself sometimes to see if I really need it, lol.
But I don't recommend that anyone else do that, it doesn't usually work long-term for me! But quit beating yourself up over it. Many of us do the exact same thing.

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Sometimes I would worry about taking medications and if they would give me long term side effects. This is part of the anxiety causing these thoughts. Just take your medications and let them work for you, and don't stop this time when you feel better! Lol! That's why you're afraid your meds won't work again. That's anxiety talking! Yes, it is normal to feel worse before you start to feel better. But your therapist can give you medication to deal with this problem in the start up phase. Just ask. You must communicate your feelings to him/her.
Do one thing for me though, PLEASE! If you are still having those feelings again, like you mentioned, about suicidal thoughts, call your therapist ASAP and let him/her know what you are going through. There are many good anti anxiety medications that you can take along with your prozac. Ask your therapist about this, as you might need another medication to treat the anxiety until your prozac starts to work again.
You will be in my prayers. Please come back and let us know how you are doing. "G"

Answer

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work again. Just try to be patient while it kicks in. Also, 10 mg may not be enough long term, but it is a good start.

Answer

Have you talked to your dr? Go back on it if that's what the dr says to do. You prob should not have went off of it without consulting your dr. I think if it worked before it should work again. But like you said it can take a while to start working again. You will only know if you try. Try to hang in there. Call your dr tell them how you're feeling and see how they can help. You will get better in time. I know the feeling of being depressed and anxious and questioning the meaning of life if we just have to struggle all the time. But I can say that it will get better. Little by little. Day by day. It will get better. Please ask more questions on here if needed. There are many ppl going through what you are going through. And many ppl willing to help out when we can. Take care

If I stopped taking Prozac and then go on it again, will it still work?

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