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Mental health

Prozac extended release - once per week - anyone tried it?

4 replies

Goldfishjane · 19/03/2017 12:31

hi all
I was wondering if anyone had any experience of taking this

I've been taking Prozac 20mg per day, so 140mg per week, for quite some time now. There's complications because I'm usually much better in summer than winter and I think it causes a certain amount of insomnia when the days get longer.

I know someone who takes 90mg extended release once a week and says that's a normal maintenance dose - but she sees a private psych. I will be seeing my GP soon and wanted to ask about this but also wanted to know if anyone else had other experiences. I realise that it stays in your body a long time so you can miss a dose but I also thought a lower dose in summer might make more sense.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has any experience of this? I don't really have a trace of depression left but of course there's no way of knowing if that's the tablets - but also I hear that neural pathways actually change after a few years of taking the meds?

I'd also be interested if anyone knows what the latest science is on that aspect, it would be amazing if it were true! Thanks.

Thanks all!

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Goldfishjane · 20/03/2017 16:11

hopeful bump.....

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Goldfishjane · 23/03/2017 10:29

another hopeful bump......

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KeemaNaan · 23/03/2017 13:35

Hi, the XL versions of meds are many more times expensive than the normal release versions, so they're often only prescribed when necessary - e.g. Noncompliance, extreme side effects etc.

Chances are that if you are able to use the normal release version, they won't swap you to extended as funds are limited.

I've been on XL and normal versions of my meds and it doesn't make that much of a difference. With the half life of Prozac being 1-2 weeks, I can't see how the modified release stuff would make much difference. I'd drop down to every other day in the summer and see how it goes rather than looking to change.

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Goldfishjane · 23/03/2017 15:32

Thanks Keema
the XL is only 90mg though isn't it - so taking 20mg every other day or every 3 days isn't quite the same - it would be better to try the liquid perhaps?

I will talk to my doc about this but tbh I've not found the GP terribly knowledgeable.