im on prozac for depression do I need a seperate medication for my anxiety?

Question

I've only been taking Prozac for 5 days now and have been experiencing alot of anxiety and have had 2 painc attacks 2day-proper ones. So i was wondering if after the medicine has started to work properly this will go away or will i have to take something seperate for my anxiety???- Im hoping i wont.

Serious answers from people who suffer from anxiety and dipression please.

Answer 1

Did you suffer from anxiety and panic attacks before starting on the Prozac or is this something new which has started since? Have you had a good read through the leaflet that comes with the tablets to check for side effects? If you are still concerned you should contact your Doctor again asap, if it were me, in the meantime, I would carry on still taking the Prozac you have been prescribed as stopping these abruptly might make things worse. Good luck and hope you feel better soon, depression is a horrible thing and try to take comfort in the fact that you are not going through this on your own, and that you will get better with the right help and medication. x x x

Answer 2

Increased anxiety is a common side effect when starting an SSRI antidepressant such as Prozac. This seems a little extreme though. I would go back to your doctor for further advice, possibly to switch to an alternative medication. I really don't think that you need an anti-anxiety med right now- best not to complicate the situation, and possibly leave you dependant on another drug.

Answer 3

Hi Sarah
Prozac (Fluoxetine) is an antidepressant that has an 'alerting' effect, rather than a 'sedating' effect - and as such, it can cause increased anxiety and agitation - particularly when first taken. Adding a powerful 'anxiolitic' such as Diazepam will certainly make you feel better in the short term - but the cost of this is the high risk of dependence. If you really cannot tolerate the anxiety (which may not last too long) you should visit the prescribing doctor and ask his/her advice. Some doctors may prescribe a Beta-Blocker (such as Propanolol) to help with the physical effects of anxiety - this being a much better option than Diazepam-like drugs in some clinician's opinions. I cannot predict whether your doctor would agree to this - but it is worth enquiring. Here is an NHS page to explain the use of Beta-Blockers in anxiety.

http://www.nmhct.nhs.uk/Pharmacy/anx2.htm

Answer 4

i would never take prozac as one of its side affects is Anxiety and agitation and insomnia,it also contains fluoxetine,and also if you have had suicidal thoughts it realy should be taken with caution,but like most anti depressants it will take up to four or five weeks to get into ur system.id go back to the docs and have a good talk to him about the right medication,here in the uk doctors are looking at the clock and trying to push you out the door,i was asked to go into my doctors a couple of days ago,and i end up telling him what medication im on.and then he suprises me cos i certainly diddnt know or was never told that i have c.o.p.d. smokers lung.so i must have bin tested but never given the result cos they are so busy making money.

Answer 5

I take Paxil for both and it works well for me.

It usually takes 4-6 weeks for anti-depressants to work as well as they are going to. Hang in there- if you are still having these issues in a couple months I would suggest talking to your doctor to see if a different med might be better for you.

Answer 6

Only your doctor can answer that question. Medications that might work one way on one person might have a different effect on someone else. Please talk to your doctor about this.

Answer 7

most people do need a separate nerve pill..like attavan,Valium,klonopin,Librium,xanax.........class of benzodiexapine...these drugs together will help you a great deal..you get hooked on benzos but not antidepressants...GOOD LUCK