These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Suicide and Prozac
Question: Is it true that Prozac patients have committed suicide while on medication?
Answer: Zoloft (sertaline hydrochloride) is an antidepressant usually included in the class of drugs called serotonin inhibitors. This class of drugs initially received a great deal of publicity concerning the increased risk of suicide. This publicity was mainly focused on Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride). Further evaluation has not demonstrated that there is any special risk for suicide. However, studies are still ongoing. Depression in general clearly increases the risk for suicide; consequently, would be expected to be higher in the group of patients taking this class of drug.
Weight Gain
Question: What are the consequences of stopping Prozac? I feel the drug is making me gain weight.
Answer: Prozac is not especially noted for weight gain. One of the potential risks of the drug is actual weight loss. Weight loss may be a symptom of depression; consequently, treatment of your depression may cause weight gain. I would discuss this with your physician and absolutely do not decrease or stop the drug without seeing your doctor.
Urinary Hesitancy
Question: I have a patient who is taking Prozac and is experiencing severe urinary hesitancy. Is this a side effect of this drug?
Answer: Prozac, like many other antidepressants, has some anti-cholinergic activity. The parasympathetic nervous system is consequently affected and can cause urinary symptoms as well as constipation and a dry mouth. These will clear with discontinuation of the drug.
Sleeping/Tension
Question: I have been using Prozac for about 3 months – the suggested trial time –
and am having some side effects that I need information on. My sleep pattern has shortened. If I don’t take Klonopin before I sleep,
I wake up clutching myself or the pillow. I feel that my muscles are
continually tight. Sometimes, the back of my head feels very tight which
often can be relieved by relaxing my jaw – which always seems to be
tight. I am taking 20mg a day. I would GREATLY appreciate any suggestions. And where do I look to find what ever your answers are? Please e-mail me back.
Answer: One of the most common complaints of patients on prozac and other drugs has to do with the lack of diminution of sleep. Other than other sedatives-like klonopin-there doesn’t appear to be much to be done other than stop the drug. There are newer more selective drugs in this class
which are advertized by the drug companies as having less effect on sleep and sexual libido-the other major complaint. I have used these drugs and find some improvement. Serzone is the first of these drugs-others are on the way.
