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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Long-term effects of Prozac
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Long-term effects of Prozac
by recollection76, Oct 04, 1999 12:00AM
I've been taking 40 mgs Prozac for nearly 6 months and recently upped my dosage to 60 mgs/day. I've noticed somewhat of a change in my submission to depression but still am not sure why I feel irritable, angry and flighty during other weeks.
The first time I was subscribed the anti-depressant I was fine, beautiful, life couldn't have been more problem free, but I'm confused as to why the effects aren't as strong this time.
I was wondering if my hypothryoidism is the cause of the minimal Prozac effects, if my depression has evolved into a different type of diseaseor if Prozac just automatically is weakened by the immune system after the initial round?
The first time I was subscribed the anti-depressant I was fine, beautiful, life couldn't have been more problem free, but I'm confused as to why the effects aren't as strong this time.
I was wondering if my hypothryoidism is the cause of the minimal Prozac effects, if my depression has evolved into a different type of diseaseor if Prozac just automatically is weakened by the immune system after the initial round?
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS MD -RG, Oct 06, 1999 12:00AM
Depression is often multifactorial, meaning it may be caused by different factors including personal and family history of depression, environmental stressors, and medical factors. Your response to Prozac in the past may be influenced by the prevailing environmental influences at that time. The product information of Prozac reveals that infrequently Prozac may cause or worsen preexisting hypothyroidism. As hypothyroidism is known to cause depression, it is important to have your thyroid function checked. There are case reports of individuals responding to a medication, such as Prozac, at one time and then being refractory to it the next. It is unclear why this happens. It may be worthwhile trying a different antidepressant.
The symptoms that you experience after increasing the dosage of Prozac are a frequent side effect of this medication. The agitation and emotional lability should improve in a week or so. Often times, to lessen the experience of this side effect a slow increase of the medication is done i.e. increase by 10mg instead of 20mg.
I suggest a consult with your physician to monitor your current thyroid hormone levels and to discuss your current symptomatology.
I wish you the best,
HFHS MD - RG
*Keyword: Prozac
The symptoms that you experience after increasing the dosage of Prozac are a frequent side effect of this medication. The agitation and emotional lability should improve in a week or so. Often times, to lessen the experience of this side effect a slow increase of the medication is done i.e. increase by 10mg instead of 20mg.
I suggest a consult with your physician to monitor your current thyroid hormone levels and to discuss your current symptomatology.
I wish you the best,
HFHS MD - RG
*Keyword: Prozac
