I usually take 20 miligrams of Prozac a day, but I recently forgot to take it for about 2 days (not in a row, but in the same week) and have been feeling depressed again. I've started taking it again, but how long until it really starts to work again?
2006-12-12 08:16:42 · 9 answers · asked by Adamgenius 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I've been taking it for a few months now, (it's been working great) and was told that if I forgot to take it, it would take weeks to build up the saratonin levels again.
2006-12-12 08:28:05 · update #1
I've been taking anti deppresants for a long time.
I got started on Prozac (20 mil.) Well how long had you been taking it? Because for Prozac to fully kick in it takes up to 3 to 4 weeks for some people longer and for some people less.If you skip it ones or twice a week it's okay but just remember to take it as recommended and don't double up if you missed one. Just give it some time. That's usually how it works.
I'm not taking Prozac anymore I guess it just was't for me but I am on EffexorXR(150mil.)and it's pretty much the same thing. I forget to take it sometimes too but I just get right back on track the next day.
2006-12-12 08:31:12 · answer #1 · answered by babygirl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That should not have effected you in that way. It is common to miss out on meds, just take them when you remember or the next day if it is too late in the day. The other questions is if Prozac is working for you or not. How long have you been taking it? From the onset of taking it you need to build up the seritonin levels in the brain. This can take anywhere from a week to a month. This is dependent on what the levels were like before taking it. Missing a day or two should not do that to you.
2006-12-12 08:25:46 · answer #2 · answered by chuck g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm no pharmacist but Prozac has what is called a "half life" I think. By two days . . . some of it was probably still in your system. I think you might be feeling depressed for other than a chemical reason. Even people on Prozac will get depressed. It took two weeks for the Prozac to fully get into your system when you started taking it and the reverse is also true I think. It would take about 2 weeks for it to be fully gone.
2006-12-12 08:22:46 · answer #3 · answered by ritmng 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1st--Miss bri needs to get a medical degree before telling anyone to not take their meds. Even Tom Cruise admitted his tyrade against meds for mental illness & Brooke sheilds was wrong & appologized.
onto your question: Sometimes a psych med will just stop working, or not work as well. Your doc may want to change or add to the Prozac. It's winter & light is scarse so this may be contributing to your recent decline. Not enough light messes with your seratonin levels--hence the aconym "SAD"=Seasonally Affected Disorder. Make a point of getting your face in bright (full spectrum) light--They sell "like sunlight" bulbs in most hardware sections.--REveal is one, but there are others (better) shop around--and sit close to sunny windows if you can. Bwetter yet, take a walk in it--the exercise will help to lift your spirits, too.
I heard, but have not confirmed that once you stop a psych med, it may not work when you return to it--I think this was referring to longer that a day here or there. Good Luck, and try to be happy not sad.
2006-12-12 08:30:16 · answer #4 · answered by Clycs 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Again, if you miss one dose, just take the next one as necessary. If you stop taking it, you will need to go back to your doctor and get the initial step dosage again to build up to it. Same if you are planning to go off of the medication, abruptly stopping the medication can lead to severe headaches among other side effects, that can have permanent damage.
2006-12-12 08:46:18 · answer #5 · answered by designerista 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It depends sometimes it can take up to 2 weeks.
2006-12-12 09:21:30 · answer #6 · answered by One Hand One Heart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about missing just take 2 in the morning that'll help to make you feel better in the morning. When I've been off for a few days all I do is take 2 or3 in the morn then I'm okay.
2006-12-12 08:24:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
ask a doc, but just keep taking it, 2 days, you should be ok. but i'am not a doctor.
2006-12-12 08:21:28 · answer #8 · answered by goofball 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to let you in on something I know.
Prozac is extremely dangerous.
All you need is vitamins. Not some retarded psycho babble bullshit pill.
doctors are paid a lot of money every year to prescribe these drugs to people who don't need them.....
you're just a puppet of your doctors.
enjoy the pill poppin!
2006-12-12 08:20:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 9⤋