Prozac/Fluoxetine tiredness and side effects

Treatment and medication
1

Hiya,

I've been on Fluoxetine for 9 weeks now, my dosage just recently in the past 3 weeks being upped to 40mg.

I have been experiencing extreme tiredness and am unmotivated to do anything; I've been having these effects for around 6 weeks now.

Being a student at university, and having a part time job, this is severly affecting my work and my studies.

My Fluoxetine has been prescribed for my depression/anxiety.

I was just wondering if there was a specific time of day to take my Fluoxetine which will hinder the tiredness? Right now I'm taking it around midday all in the one go (two 20mg tablets).

Thanks,

Anna

2

Hi Anna

Did doc say why he upped your dose?  What about taking them at separate times? I take it at noon because I have trouble sleeping so at noon or after it makes me tired.at night.

3

I take it about 6pm as later I can't sleep but it also makes me dowsey. I'm on week 6 and loosing faith x

4

Hey Jenmasu,

He didn't give me a definitive answer, but I presume it was because the one tablet a day wasn't helping me in terms of my mental wellbeing. 

I also recieved sleeping pills a couple of days ago as, like you, I had a bout of insomnia. 

I'll try taking them at seperate times and see how it goes, thanks!

5

Yeah I might try and take them like right before I go to sleep. Why don't you do the same? 

Don't lose faith, I'm on my ninth week and I'm just starting to feel a bit better. The side effects aren't the best but I guess we just have to try and put up with them! 

6

Hi

Are you tired at particular times of the day, or just all the time?

40mg is the highest dose you can take, and this might be too high for you, making you feel over tired.  However these side effects should peter out in time.

I often find patients or doctors are all to keen to up the dose thinking they aren't improving, but this medicine has to be given lots and lots of time to work.  By upping a dose you end up having to go through the side effects all over again.

Also you'll get many ups and downs whilst recovering, and when people get a down period they think they're ill again and rush to up their dose.  These up and down periods are normal and part of recovery.

It must be tough for you studying and working, but you're doing a grand job getting through everythg.

I'd also suggest trying the tablets at a different time of day to see if it helps, everyone's different so I'm sure you'll find what's best for you, and I'm sure the tiredness will ease in time.  If not talk to your doctor about reducing the doseage.  The usual doseage is 20mg.  I recovered on 20mg and have been well now for years.

I wish you all the best, and wish everyone a good Christmas xxx

7

I can't sleep if I take them too late I feel on edge and get night sweats if taken late. Did u feel disconnected like in a bubble? Xx

8

I've also been prescribed sleeping tablets for insomnia so hopeful if I do take them at night along side my sleeping tablets then I'll have an uninterrupted sleep! 

I do have that feeling, depersonalisation I think is the term, I have it in differing severities depending on my mood and how I was up. Today it's particularly bad; is that what you have?x

9

Hiya, 

To be honest, the tiredness persists throughout the day. It's so annoying! 

Yeah I have a feeling that the 40mg isn't for me as it's been a while on this dose and the side effects aren't subsiding. 

I have my doctors appointment in the new year so I will discuss changing my dosage or any other ways of helping me!

Today I'm going to try and take them at night time, probably an hour or two before bed. Hopefully that means that the side effects will set in whilst I'm sleeping! 

That's great that you're recovered! Well done x 

Thanks a lot for your help, have a good Christmas!x 

10

I recovered after years of severe depression and just when I thought nothing would help I was put on this medication and I got better.  Have been well for 15 years now.  These type of SSRI's have been my saviour.

I came on this site as my 20 year old son had a massive melt down in August and was put on this medication too, so witnessing him going through what I did has been very painful.  4 months on and he's now returned to work and I see him laughing now.  You will get through this too - it's just a question of getting the dose right and having lots of patience.

Remember when reducing the dose, do it very slowly as you can get side effects too.  All will be well for you in the end.

Best wishes xxx

11

Hi katecogs and anna,

The maximum dose of fluoxetine is 80 mg. But for depression it is usually 20 mg, but can go up to 60 mg according to my leaflet.

The largest study so far (STAR*D) showed that the first SSRI you take for depression has 1/3 of chance of making you achieve remission, 1/3 of improving your depression but not solving it, and 1/3 of chance of not getting any benefit.

We have to keep it in mind and be open to adjustment of dosage, medication and combination of medication.

12

Ah ..... I'm reading Citralopram!!! No wonder :-). Citralopram max is 40 and I now see fluoxetine is 80.  My son takes fluoxetine whereas I take Citralopram.

Yes different SSRI's and doses work different for people.  It's all a case of finding what works for you. :-)

13

I know, I'm just going to try and stick it out and see where it goes in terms of side effects and what not. 

Thanks for the advice

14

I was sleeping all the time. I now feel tired but not like I want to sleep just drowsey feeling. 6wks in x

15

I'm the same now, Rachel. 

I feel very lethergic and horrible. I think we both just need a new attitude and outlook on life lol! 

Going to try and start eating healthier and exercising a bit more tomorrow and see if that helps me at all; will let you know how it goes!

16

I'm 38weeks pregnant too so I'm going to be tired but unable to at night so maybe that rather then meds. Def spaces out though from meds and anxiety x