Talk

Flip

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Mental health

Prozac - 20mg or 40mg?

5 replies

whethergirl · 20/01/2010 20:54

I've been taking Prozac for a couple of years which has relieved me from my depression/mood swings/body dysmorphia/ETC! and got it to a manageable level.

Recently, after a relationship break up I started taking 40mg instead of 20mg to help me through it, only for about a week though. I knew it was safe to do this, because my dr has already said I can take 40mg just before PMT time to help me with my PMT (although I never did).

Anyway, I'm back to 20mg, and noticed how much better I was feeling with 40mg. I'm ok now, but 40mg was like the real me without the worry head. Bit weary of taking 40mg though.

Anyone had any experience with this?

OP posts:

Report

greensnail · 20/01/2010 20:57

I used to be on 40mg, the max dose is 60mg I think. I would go and see your doctor if you're thinking of changing to 40mg permanently otherwise they'll wonder why you're getting through your prescriptions twice as fast.

Report

whethergirl · 20/01/2010 21:02

greensnail, did you ever take 20mg? You're right, should see my dr about it but wanted to talk to someone who had actually taken it. It's a bit of a weird one - I mean what is the normal amount of stress?? Impossible to answer. I know I was a better mum on 40mg because I just seemed more patient and less irritable.

OP posts:

Report

DrivenToDistraction · 20/01/2010 21:07

Yes, the maximum dose is 60mg, that's what I used to have.

You really should see your doctor though, you'll only worry if you 'unofficially' raise your dose.

Report

greensnail · 20/01/2010 21:08

Yes, i started on 20mg which helped a bit but I still wasn't right so the doctor increased it to 40mg and i felt so much better on this dose. I eventually dropped back down to 20mg before coming off it altogether. Have been on prozac a few times since this, but have only ever needed 20mg these times.

You're right, when you've not been well for a while its really hard to work out what is feeling normal and what isn't. It takes time to work that out I suppose.

Report

whethergirl · 20/01/2010 21:37

I remember taking 40mg years ago, I had been taking 20 and then it felt like it had stopped working so my dr increased it and it felt just like the 20 did initially. Just wondering as well, if the more I take it the more I'll get used to it and will just need to keep getting a higher dose. When I took the 20mg this time round, it was when I was very depressed, so the effects of 20mg were enough to make all the difference and make me feel much more 'normal'. It's only haven taken the 40mg recently that I'm wondering if I do need the higher dose.