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prozac-side effects...

6 replies

zazzabeans · 13/01/2011 09:24

i started taking prozac last friday for mild depression and anxiety, the doctor also prescribed amitryptiline for toothache (at a low dose as it reacts with the prozac) i have been taking both according to the drs instruction, prozac on a morning, amitryptitline on an evening as it makes you drowsy... all has been fine since last friday, however today i have woke up and feel rather dizzy and uncoordinated and dont feel myself..... is this normal?
was thinking of stopping the painkillers and keeping up with the prozac as i have really bad anxiety.
however i have heard stories that prozax causes weight gain i am currently trying to lose weight so not a good thing
can anyone help please?

OP posts:
WherecanIhide · 13/01/2011 16:49

Hi, I've just started taking Prozac (2 weeks ago) and not had any noticable side effects nor any bennefits.

I've read conflicting things about weight gain/loss - I imagine it depends on the individual. I don't want to gain weight either (who does?) but I'm going to see how I go.

KnackeredCow · 14/01/2011 10:41

I've taken both amitriptyline and fluoxetine (Prozac) before. Both on separate occassions.

Many years ago I was prescribed amitriptyline for mile depression and anxiety, but it is also used to treat neuropathic pain so I guess that's why you've had it prescribed for your toothache.

I experienced dizziness and lack of co-ordination with amitriptyline, but not with fluoxetine (Prozac), which I took some years later for a subsequent bout of mild depression. However, I did take them separately, so I can't comment on what they are like to take together.

I'd guess that the side-effects that you are experiencing are much more likely to be related to the amitriptyline, which acts on the central nervous system. It's known to have more serious side-effects, which is why SSRIs (such as Prozac) tend to be preferred for depression these days - there's better compliance with them.

The only side-effect I sufered from whilst on Prozac was nightmares. I was switched onto Citalopram BUT I would say that overall the side effects I had whilst taking amitriptyline were significantly worse than with the fluoxetine. IF I remember rightly, dizziness can be a side effect of fluoxetine also, although in my case I only suffered from this when on amitriptyline.

I didn't gain weight on either drug. I thought Prozac was more likely to be associated with weight loss than weight gain. I think it's been linked with nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

What do the leaflets, which was supplied with each medicine, say with respect to side effects?

If you are concerned, I'd say speak to your GP or pharmacist. Also, as you've been prescribed antidepressants, I assume your GP has you booked in for a review appointment in a couple of weeks or so? If this is the case, definitely mention it. They can lower drug doses to lessen side effects.

HereInMyHead · 14/01/2011 19:42

Prozac DRAMATICALLY increased my appetite. Was ravenous for about six weeks!

shodatin · 14/01/2011 20:23

Not noticed any appetite change at all (2 months approx)

UpsyDaisyDo · 15/01/2011 17:40

Prozac at a high dose (60mg) is (or was when I was taking it) used to treat bulimia as its apparently supposed to supress appetite. It didn't have that effect for me but it didn't make me put on weight either.

jellyhead188 · 20/01/2011 09:12

When I started on fluoxitine (prozac) it made me feel very weird, I was light-headed and felt like I was a bit drunk - like everything had slowed down a bit if that makes sense. I didn't drive for a week or so because of it - to be honest it also increased my anxiety an enormous amount at first and then left me feeling pretty numb and disconnected to the world in general!

It did really suppress my appetite at first but after about 4 months I was constantly hungry and always very tired.

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