Decrease font size
Default font size
Increase font size
May 26, 2012
 

Quitting Prozac

Dear Ask The Doctor: I had a mild depression. Nothing serious. So my doctor gave me prozac and then he reduced the dose to 2 pills a day(20 mg each)in the morning. I've been feeling really ok for quite a long time and I don't need prozac anymore. What is the safest way to stop taking prozac?(how to reduce dose and then quit?). Thank you...

Dear Pierre: You may want to consult your doctor before attempting on further reducing the dose of prozac and stopping it eventually. Here’s how you may attempt to do so:
If you feel fine on 20 mg for atleast five days, it may be possible to reduce the dose to 10 mg and continue the same for the next five days, carefully monitoring if any symptoms reappear due to the decrease in the dosage of the medication. If everything feels good you may further half the dose to 5 mg for the next 5 days and than eventually you may stop the medication, if you don’t have any symptoms and feel okay. If you start experiencing a few symptoms at any time during this dose reduction, you may have to jump back to the previous dose a little longer, continue on that until you become symptom free and than try lowering the dosage again very slowly in a similar manner.

Again, I highly recommend that you adjust your dosage under the supervision of the doctor who prescribed this medication to you.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 07 April 2011 )
 

Related Articles

Is Depression a side effect of Pramiracetam?

What are the Side Effects of Nexito Forte?

Decreased Emotions, Do I have Depression?

Are These Signs of Depression?

Depression, Is this something I need to get checked out?

Severe symptoms of depression even on medication

Does my partner have depression?

Depression for 15 years and medication is not working as used to

Trazodone and alcohol

Prescription medication for depression

Withdrawal Symptoms After Stopping Celexa

Depression and coping with a young child

Question about the drug Sertraline (Lustral TM)

Is is possible to suddenly stop taking antidepressants?

Withdrawl Symptoms Developing After Stopping Lexamil.

Got a flu shot, now having fever and sneezing, what medicine can I take?

Diazepam as an antidepressant.

Mood swings, sleeping too much and feel hopeless. Is it depression?

Which antidepressant is best for me?

Serious side effects of Moclobemide

Natural remedy and medication for Depression

Wellbutrin xl dosage change

Low testosterone levels: can it cause depression?

Depression needs kicking to save relationship

Depression and Other Conditions Mimicking it

Major Depression and Similar Disorders

Persistent headache with depression symptoms

Citalopram and tryptophan: Is it safe?

Trying Elavil for depression and anxiety

Are my symptoms due to depression?

SSRI Citalopram and Serotonin Syndrome

My dads depression and his refusal to eat

What to do when someone faces severe depression

Depression : symptoms and management

How do I stop hurting myself after I get upset?

ISigns of depression or adjustment disorder?

Wellbutrin and onset of action and effect

Severe Depression Symptoms with Anxiety

Mood Swings since I started taking Prozac

Zoloft dosage and use in pregnancy

Side effects of Anti Depressants

Profuse Sweating and Shivering - Serotonin Syndrome

Depression ,weight gain,stressors in Family- What do I have?

Major Depression Symptoms and Treatment

Depression Associated with Dizziness

Side Effects with taking Cymbalta

Overdose of Fluoxetine

weight gain due to mirtazapine and side effects

Continue taking antidepressants or go with other alternatives?

Overdose

Finger prick test to measure blood glucose

Vocabulary Loss and Depression

Does My Daughter Have a Prescription Addiction

Repressing Memories as a Form of Protection

Family Members and Depression

Gastric Bypass but Still Overeating

Exhausted Mother Thinks She Has Depression

Diagnosis of Depression

Symptoms of depression and mania

Bipolar Disorder Depression or Depression

Adolescence and symptoms of Depression

How can I ask a Doctor About Depression?

How Depression is Diagnosed

Are rapid mood changes normal?

Cognitive Changes with Long Term Depression

Diagnosis of Clinical Depression

About us | Follow us | Contact us | Advertising | Careers | Terms of Service | Site Map