Has anybody been (and remained) on a low dose of antidepressants?

Question

Do you think a low dose (for example 5 or 10 mg of prozac or citalopram) is effective?

I'm always tired on SSRI's and have given up looking for one that doesn't cause this. I guess it is best to remain on a very low dose?

Answer 1

If you're always tired on SSRIs, then have you tried Effexor, or Wellbutrin, or Cymbalta, or even one of the MAOIs? If not, ask your doctor about all of these; they work on different neurotransmitters to the SSRIs and can be far more effective.

Re your query about a low dose: I personally do believe that a low dose can help. I'm on Effexor and the dose is fairly high, but I don't plan on taking it indefinitely, and eventually I hope to take a really low dose.

You could try a low dose of Prozac; get liquid Prozac and then it's easier to measure and control it. Prozac is a good one because it stays in the system and builds up, so even though you might only be taking 5mg a day, you'll end up with more working in your system.

Do ask your doctor first, though.

If you're always tired, have you been tested for underactive thyroid? This causes fatigue and can mimic depression.

Or is it possible that you have chronic fatigue syndrome?

Answer 2

I have been on a low dose of an older anti-depressant called imipramine for over ten years. About 90 percent of that time I have been taking the lowest effective dose which is 75 mg. Sometimes I take 125mg if I am experiencing an increase in symptoms. I would not hesitate or think twice about remaining on this medication for life.

And for the people who simply say "get over it" ..... tell that to your pancreas the moment you find out you are diabetic and need insulin on a daily basis. The brain is like any other organ in the human body and is subject to not working as it should. It just so happens that my brain has troubles with serotonin levels. I am more than happy to help that process with any medication necessary. It definitely beats the alternative.

Best of luck.

Answer 3

I am all for low dose antidepressants. I havent taken them long term but I have during times of transition. They helped we with chronic nerve pain from a herniated disc. I feel benefits at as low 2.5mg-5mg on Celexa. One day I tried to go up to 7mg and nearly spent the the entire day sleeping. If you don t have major depression and struggle with anxiety and rumination there may beno need to take high doses of the SSRIs. I am very sensitive to medications and can easily feel effects/side effects within just a few doses. I think many psychiatrists are not educated and are dismissive about the fact that not everyone s therapeutic range is even based on body weight. It also depends on metabolism and genetics. I would recommend starting lower than is the designated therapeutic range and then increasing if needed.

Answer 4

I think a low dose antidepressant can be effective over an extended period of time. I tried Paxil (a derivative or Prozac) and it made me wacky (skin crawled and felt like it was twitching). So I quit and remained off for a long time. When my dad died I took a nosedive and my doc put me on Celexa which was very effective for a year and a half. Remember if you choose to get off, do it according to your doc's recommendation and always get off in spring, summer, very early fall (never late fall or winter) because sometimes the seasonal effect plays a part in how you feel overall. Spring/summer is an "UP" time of year, late fall/winter you tend to remain indoors more, i.e. isolation.
Work with your doctor, you will find one that is effective. Good luck, I know it will work out for you!

Answer 5

I was on Prozax 60mg, then Paxil 40mg, then Paxil CR 60mg for 4 years and I agree that it does change your personality and I too, kind of forgot what I was like off meds. And in my case, that wasn't a very good thing because they actually made me more depressed. I think that if you are on a dose that low, it should be temporary. If it makes you too tired I would talk to you dr and see what else they can give you to go with that medication or to change it all together.

And to the person who said that meds aren't the answer, I somewhat agree, I think that dr's dole them out too quickly and people are ready for a quick fix. Congrats on working out your problems. However, some of us have actual chemical imbalances and that can't be "fixed" as easily. Don't be so harsh by saying "get over it" because that's just not possible.

Answer 6

Regardless of the type of mood alterating medication, the lowest effective dose is always best. Have I seen a low dose of Prozac work in my 30 years in the field, yes. Just remember all psychotropic medications have negative side effects so the lower the better if it works. And if it does not work, talk to your doctor, hopefully a licensed psychiatrist and not just a family doctor.

Answer 7

The last thing you want to do is stay on antideppressants for the rest of your life! trust me. I have been taking 50 - 100 mg of zoloft for the past 5 years and have reached the point where I dont know what I was like not taking them. They really do effect your mood and personality... I am trying to wean myself off them at the moment. It is not easy though! I have been given a medication called PROXAN by my naturopath to get me through check it out... Antidepressants block the deppressive thoughts while Proxan encourages positive thoughts.

Answer 8

I took 10 mg of lexapro. It worked. I was better with 20 mg, but that was too expensive. The only hard part is that, while I did not get feel the depression so much, I also didn't experience the beauty of life so much. Still, I was able to hold it better together with the lexapro. I gave it up last month, due to finances. We will see how it goes.

Answer 9

I take Effexor 75mg, which is the lowest dose it comes in. To counter the fatigue any antidepressant can cause, I take 50 mg of DHEA, works like a charm.

Answer 10

Happy pills are NOT the answer. Been down that route.

Ultimately they make you even more manic, then you get more hooked and then it spirals. *twitch*

Find the cause of your depression / mood swings and get over it. I've been in a few really dark places in the past decade and have to say, working your way through an a to z of upper, downers and blockers is nuts! And they say /we/ are the crazy ones!

Not saying it's easy, especially without knowing what put you in your own personal hell, but pharmacueticals ain't the answer...