2006-10-19 12:33:49 · 10 answers · asked by smartiepants4you@verizon.net 1 in Health ➔ Women's Health
Yes, they are the same medication, basically.
Here is an article I found that compares the two, in case you want to read more:
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=191324&highlight=paxil
"Both Prozac and Zoloft are SSRIs, but they are chemically distinct; so, like the other folks said, what works well for one person might not work as well for another. It's probably true, however, that many people who have had good luck with one SSRI will also tend to do well on other SSRIs. It's just that side effects can vary quite a bit.
Some people, including myself, tend to rotate the SSRI drug we're taking every couple of years or so in order to avoid the phenomenon known as "SSRI poop-out" (where the drug stops working as well, or starts to blunt your emotions and/or sap your motivation a bit). Later on, once a given drug has been out of your system for a while, you can go back on it successfully if it worked for you before. Consequently, I've taken both Prozac and Zoloft in high doses, each for at least a couple of years at a time. I will have no problem whatsoever with returning to either one of those in the future if my current SSRI (Celexa) poops out on me eventually.
Prozac's most notable difference from Zoloft is probably its longer half-life. Prozac stays in the body considerably longer than Zoloft, so accidentally missing one or even more doses is unlikely to cause any effects. It's also easier to cease treatment with Prozac for this reason, should you ever need or decide to do so.
On the other hand, that longer half-life can be a disadvantage if, for example, you're trying to deal with sexual side effects by taking a periodic "drug holiday" (deliberately skipping or reducing the dose for a day or two) to reduce the levels of the drug in your system in time to have better sex with your significant other. You really can't do that with Prozac; with Zoloft you can, and many folks (especially women) do. Skipping doses, of course, is something one should discuss with one's doctor.
Also, I've read (I think it was in The Pill Book, 10th Ed.) that Prozac generally takes about a month to begin fully working once you start taking it, whereas Zoloft and the other SSRIs usually take around 7-10 days. These are just general rules of thumb, of course -- they probably vary a lot from person to person.
No matter what drug you're taking, the side effects will almost always be worst at the beginning of treatment. Many SEs (especially stuff like stomach upset) lessen a lot in intensity or go away completely after being on a drug for a few weeks, once the body has had a chance to adapt.
My advice (which your doctor might not agree with!) is that if the Prozac is keeping away the panic attacks, it's probably best not to switch yet. If you're panic-free but still feeling anxious, then you might need to wait a while longer for the drug to reach its full effect. May I ask how long you've been on it and at what dose? If you've been on Prozac for a couple of months or more and are still only at 20 mg/day, then you might just need a dosage increase. You and your doctor can get that squared away at your next appointment, but this is just my opinion based on my own experiences with Prozac."
I♥♫→mia☼☺†
2006-10-19 12:36:04 · answer #1 · answered by mia2kl2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if they are in the same family, but I liked Prozac a lot better than Zoloft - I took Zoloft for about three weeks and I couldn't take it anymore - Prozac and Cymbalta have been the two best and I've tried almost all of them - Zoloft and Effexor were the worst two. E- mail if you would like to discuss particulars that I don't care to put all over Y/A
2006-10-19 12:38:36 · answer #2 · answered by kim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prozac Family
2016-12-10 14:57:37 · answer #3 · answered by lirette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should definitely consult the doctor who prescribes your Zoloft. See if your doctor agrees that Prozac would be better. Get instructions before you consider changing anything. Consult a pharmacist if you're just curious. Consult a doctor if you want to take action.
2016-03-18 21:59:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are.. Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Paxil (paroxetine) These three medications are in the same family, called SSRIs, for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Commonly-Prescribed Antidepressants
2006-10-19 12:37:05 · answer #5 · answered by magnolia_76 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know off the top of my head if they are of the same family, but I do know that your system can get used to Zoloft. Prosac is a wonderful drug for some.....it was and is for me, and it works totally different too. Don't be afraid. Just start off with a small dosage.
2006-10-19 12:36:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no. zoloft will make you have suicide thoughts, prozac will just make you love everything. i have taken both of them and i am on prozac right now. i cant go a day without it, dont worry about taking it, it wont make you have bad thoughts.
2006-10-19 12:37:57 · answer #7 · answered by tiffany 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
prozac will not make you feel like a zombie like zoloft.
2006-10-19 12:37:00 · answer #8 · answered by tinamaries43 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the lack of ethics in the pharmaceutical industry make me depressed.....
......That's why I take Zoloft.....
They are all as bad as each other. find a new way.
2006-10-19 12:37:02 · answer #9 · answered by eternity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part of the Adams family...har har har.
2006-10-19 12:35:09 · answer #10 · answered by Hey What You Think? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋