1. < Depression & Anxiety

How do you taper off of 10mg of Fluoxetine ( Prozac )

Posted by briannaesiline @briannaesiline, May 23 6:45pm

I've been on 10mg of fluoxetine for 2 almost 3 years. I was pregnant for one of them. I'm having major memory problems. I just don't feel like myself anymore. I wish my therapist would have helped me instead of just putting me on meds. BUT anyways. I tried to go cold turkey but was just about having a psychotic break. Very much don't recommend. Any ways i got my prescriber to do the liquid so i can start tapering but i don't even know where to start. Im not time crunched or anything so ill go as slow as needed. Please no negatives or talking about your withdraw symptoms because if i read about it adopt those symptoms. I think its just a mind thing I'm not sure I've done it since i was a child lol. any help really appreciated.

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gently | @gently | May 24 3:04am

Recommended withdrawal from prozac is 25% 1/4 dose reduction per week. Some doctors prefer a 6 week withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are said to be completed 7 days from the last dose.
You may want a slower withdrawal rate. 1% 1/10th per week might make be an easier transition.
Fluoxetine liquid comes in a concentation of 20mg fluoxetine in 5mL of liquid, (check your bottle to be sure) meaning there is 4mg of fluoxetine in 1mL. If you are taking 10mg Prozac now, the liquid equivalent would 2.5mL. If you want to take 9mg of Prozac, you would take 2.25mL of the liquid
1 mL= 4mg
0.5mL = 2mg
0.25mL = 1mg
0.2ml = 0.8mg
With the only warning that raising two small children can cause loss of memory and loss of self. It's temporary until they are about ten years old.
Best wishes

REPLY
2 replies
briannaesiline | @briannaesiline | May 24 8:10am
In reply to @gently "Recommended withdrawal from prozac is 25% 1/4 dose reduction per week. Some doctors prefer a 6..." + (show)
@gently

Recommended withdrawal from prozac is 25% 1/4 dose reduction per week. Some doctors prefer a 6 week withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are said to be completed 7 days from the last dose.
You may want a slower withdrawal rate. 1% 1/10th per week might make be an easier transition.
Fluoxetine liquid comes in a concentation of 20mg fluoxetine in 5mL of liquid, (check your bottle to be sure) meaning there is 4mg of fluoxetine in 1mL. If you are taking 10mg Prozac now, the liquid equivalent would 2.5mL. If you want to take 9mg of Prozac, you would take 2.25mL of the liquid
1 mL= 4mg
0.5mL = 2mg
0.25mL = 1mg
0.2ml = 0.8mg
With the only warning that raising two small children can cause loss of memory and loss of self. It's temporary until they are about ten years old.
Best wishes

Jump to this post

Thank you!! So you dont think its necessary to stay at the same dose reduction for 2 weeks? And when i get down to .5mg should i be fine to quit or should i try to get to .25 first?

REPLY
3 replies
sears | @sears | May 24 8:58am
In reply to @briannaesiline "Thank you!! So you dont think its necessary to stay at the same dose reduction for..." + (show)
@briannaesiline

Thank you!! So you dont think its necessary to stay at the same dose reduction for 2 weeks? And when i get down to .5mg should i be fine to quit or should i try to get to .25 first?

Jump to this post

Discontinuing these meds is completely different for everyone. If you feel bad after making a cut, hold until you stabilize. Don’t try to rush the process.

REPLY
gently | @gently | May 24 9:32am
In reply to @briannaesiline "Thank you!! So you dont think its necessary to stay at the same dose reduction for..." + (show)
@briannaesiline

Thank you!! So you dont think its necessary to stay at the same dose reduction for 2 weeks? And when i get down to .5mg should i be fine to quit or should i try to get to .25 first?

Jump to this post

briannaesiline,
I don't think it's necessary but sears is right about how different it is for everyone. If you feel ok after one week, then go down. I wouldn't be wanting to prolong the process because it isn't exactly fun. I think that when you get to .5, you'll quit. But pay attention to your symptoms and be nice to yourself. Seven days after the last dose might seem awfully long. But you are on a low dose and haven't been on it for ten years, so it'll go a little easier.
I think the medication expires one month after opening, so if your doctor hasn't arranged a refill you might figure that into your schedule.
I haven't done this myself and have no expertise.
It's tough when you have so many responsibilities. I hope you have help with your darlings.

REPLY
1 reply
jfsherley | @jfsherley | May 25 7:24am
In reply to @briannaesiline "Thank you!! So you dont think its necessary to stay at the same dose reduction for..." + (show)
@briannaesiline

Thank you!! So you dont think its necessary to stay at the same dose reduction for 2 weeks? And when i get down to .5mg should i be fine to quit or should i try to get to .25 first?

Jump to this post

I wouldn’t do that on your own you need to tell your dr and he’ll give you the right dosage to taper off

REPLY
njoys | @njoys | May 26 8:28am

Some doctors and pharmacists know, some don't. From what I have learned from in-depth online research and from reading "The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabapentinoids and Z-drugs," one can taper too quickly but not too slowly. The slower you go, the more likely you are to succeed. If you feel withdrawal effects, then you know to take a step back. Two steps forward and one step back will still get you to the finish line. Best wishes.

REPLY
5148branelly | @5148branelly | May 29 8:02am
In reply to @gently "Recommended withdrawal from prozac is 25% 1/4 dose reduction per week. Some doctors prefer a 6..." + (show)
@gently

Recommended withdrawal from prozac is 25% 1/4 dose reduction per week. Some doctors prefer a 6 week withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are said to be completed 7 days from the last dose.
You may want a slower withdrawal rate. 1% 1/10th per week might make be an easier transition.
Fluoxetine liquid comes in a concentation of 20mg fluoxetine in 5mL of liquid, (check your bottle to be sure) meaning there is 4mg of fluoxetine in 1mL. If you are taking 10mg Prozac now, the liquid equivalent would 2.5mL. If you want to take 9mg of Prozac, you would take 2.25mL of the liquid
1 mL= 4mg
0.5mL = 2mg
0.25mL = 1mg
0.2ml = 0.8mg
With the only warning that raising two small children can cause loss of memory and loss of self. It's temporary until they are about ten years old.
Best wishes

Jump to this post

Good advice!! I can’t think of anything to add.
But—are you still depressed? Don’t stop if you are. Caring for 2 small children is tough and may increase your depression and anxiety. I hope you are consulting regularly with a psychiatrist.

REPLY
5148branelly | @5148branelly | May 29 8:06am
In reply to @gently "briannaesiline, I don't think it's necessary but sears is right about how different it is for..." + (show)
@gently

briannaesiline,
I don't think it's necessary but sears is right about how different it is for everyone. If you feel ok after one week, then go down. I wouldn't be wanting to prolong the process because it isn't exactly fun. I think that when you get to .5, you'll quit. But pay attention to your symptoms and be nice to yourself. Seven days after the last dose might seem awfully long. But you are on a low dose and haven't been on it for ten years, so it'll go a little easier.
I think the medication expires one month after opening, so if your doctor hasn't arranged a refill you might figure that into your schedule.
I haven't done this myself and have no expertise.
It's tough when you have so many responsibilities. I hope you have help with your darlings.

Jump to this post

With Prozac, tapering is ok. The worst antidepressant to get off of is Effexor (venlafaxine)—you need to taper that one fairly slowly.
Some (most?) antidepressants DO NOT have a “discontinuation syndrome,” so it might be helpful to know that. Theoretically, you can stop most “cold turkey.” But if you’re worried about doing that—don’t.

REPLY
1 reply
sears | @sears | May 29 11:34am
In reply to @5148branelly "With Prozac, tapering is ok. The worst antidepressant to get off of is Effexor (venlafaxine)—you need..." + (show)
@5148branelly

With Prozac, tapering is ok. The worst antidepressant to get off of is Effexor (venlafaxine)—you need to taper that one fairly slowly.
Some (most?) antidepressants DO NOT have a “discontinuation syndrome,” so it might be helpful to know that. Theoretically, you can stop most “cold turkey.” But if you’re worried about doing that—don’t.

Jump to this post

Which SSRI’s or SSNI’s don’t come with discontinuation problems?

REPLY
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