Keep reading to learn more about what you can expect from Prozac withdrawal, including how long it will last and the symptoms you may experience after you stop taking fluoxetine. Before you stop taking your antidepressant, make sure you feel like you’re functioning well, your life circumstances are stable, and you’re set up to deal with negative thoughts when they come up. It’s generally not a good idea to make a big change like going off your medication when you’re under a lot of stress or you’re already going through a big change. Having a solid support system can be incredibly helpful during Prozac withdrawal.
People should call a doctor if the side effects are severe but call 911 if they feel life threatening. To help distinguish between withdrawal symptoms and a return of depressive symptoms, it is important to consider when the symptoms first occurred and how they developed. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black box warning (the FDA’s most serious warning) that Prozac usage may increase the risk of suicidality. If you are experiencing Prozac withdrawal, talk to your doctor about remedies that might help. They can refer you to a therapist, prescribe medications that may help, or suggest other approaches that you may find helpful. The good news is that among the SSRIs, Prozac is the least likely to cause withdrawal symptoms.
“I know people, including members of my family, who’ve had a much worse time getting off of SSRIs than they have getting off of heroin,” Kennedy said in the hearing. Although you might not feel up to it, working out can also be a good way to relieve some of your symptoms. In addition, a daily stroll through your neighborhood or your local park is a good way to get this exercise in regularly. These symptoms are very similar to other illnesses like a cold or the flu, so it’s important to check with your doctor to figure out what exactly is happening.
Prozac Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline
Prozac has an approximate half-life of 4 to 6 days, which is much longer than that of many other antidepressants. Several treatments and self-care practices may help those who wish to stop taking fluoxetine to do so safely and in a way that minimizes discomfort. Other research suggests that fluoxetine may be “particularly unproblematic” when people stop taking it because of its especially long half-life of 96–144 hours, which equates to 4–6 days. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that promotes positive feelings and stabilizes mood.
Understanding Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Recent research suggests that a longer taper (at least one month) that continues until your dose is down to zero is the best way to minimize SSRI withdrawal. One of the reasons long-term antidepressant use is so common is that people are afraid to stop taking them. These concerns center around the potential for relapse of symptoms and possible withdrawal. For one, be sure you are eating foods that can help increase serotonin, as this is what Prozac is used for.
What to Expect During the Prozac Withdrawal Timeline
A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for 50% of the drug to be removed from your body. Most SSRIs have a half-life of approximately one day, but Prozac’s half-life is four to six days. This is important because withdrawal symptoms typically begin when a drug is about 90% out of your body.
Prozac Withdrawal Symptoms
- There is no clear-cut answer for how long withdrawal from Prozac is going to last.
- While most antidepressant withdrawal effects are more severe, discontinuation symptoms for Prozac are typically more manageable.
- To minimize the duration and severity of Prozac withdrawal symptoms, it is recommended to gradually taper off the medication under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
- Oftentimes, the individual suffering from substance use disorder will continue to use in order to avoid the painful withdrawal symptoms.
- If you or a loved one is facing Prozac dependence, please contact us to learn more about our services.
- These mood swings can be challenging, but they are part of the adjustment process.
Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body. Alcohol detox at the luxurious rehab addiction centers at Gratitude Lodge leeches your body of these toxins in preparation for successful treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse. Alcohol detox may not take as long or produce severe withdrawal symptoms, but it is still an essential beginning to your recovery. Continuous monitoring and follow-up appointments with a healthcare provider are essential to track progress, address any emerging concerns, and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Open communication with a trusted medical professional can ensure that the withdrawal process is as comfortable and manageable as possible. Drug detox is the first component of overcoming substance use disorder and drug addiction.
They can help you create a tapering schedule that will gradually reduce your dosage over time, which can help minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when stopping the use of any antidepressant medication, including Prozac. These symptoms are not a sign of addiction but rather a result of the brain adjusting to the absence of the medicine. It is essential to never abruptly stop taking any medication without consulting with a healthcare provider. When taken as prescribed, Prozac can be highly effective in managing symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, stopping or reducing the dosage of Prozac can cause withdrawal symptoms in some individuals.
Symptoms can begin 1-2 weeks after stopping and may last several weeks, though the duration varies from person to person depending on the dose and how long the medication was used. The time it takes to leave the system varies, but many factors, such as individual metabolism, dosage, and duration of withdrawal symptoms of prozac use, play a role in how long it takes for Prozac to get out of your system. Typically, it may take several weeks for Prozac to completely leave the body, which impacts the length and intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
- These symptoms can be uncomfortable and make it difficult for a person to function normally.
- Our professional and caring staff are committed to treating every individual with the highest level of respect and devotion.
- One of the studies in the review found that out of 95 people who abruptly stopped taking fluoxetine, 67% experienced withdrawal symptoms.
- Prozac has a long half-life, which means withdrawal symptoms may take longer to start compared to other SSRIs.
- Some research indicates that withdrawal, or discontinuation, symptoms are common, affecting more than half of those who stop taking antidepressants.
- To mitigate the impact of Prozac withdrawal, physicians generally recommend a gradual tapering schedule tailored to individual needs and responses.
It can take several weeks after beginning fluoxetine for the symptoms of these conditions to improve. Family owned and operated since 2014, Infinite Recovery was founded by Michael & Ylianna Dadashi to give those struggling with addiction a second chance and help to rebuild their lives. Clean and sober since 2009, Michael is passionate about helping others discover their authentic self and live a life of true freedom and purpose. Infinite Recovery has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations for our references. You can learn more about how we source our references by reading our editorial guidelines and medical review policy.
However, many people actually switch to Prozac to help ease withdrawal symptoms from other medications that have shorter half lives. Most SSRI’s are difficult to come off of – especially if you have been on them for an extended period of time. Abruptly stopping antidepressants can lead to rebound depression, in which symptoms return more intensely than before. It is important for doctors to determine the difference between withdrawal symptoms and returning symptoms, such as the recurrence of depression. Although there is no specific Prozac withdrawal timeline, Prozac discontinuation symptoms typically begin around 2 to 4 days after reducing the dosage and usually lasts for around 1 to 2 weeks.