Prozac (fluoxetine) is an antidepressant. When stopping Prozac, people may experience withdrawal symptoms such as tiredness, irritability, and headaches.
As with many other antidepressants, fluoxetine carries a black box warning. This warning alerts doctors and patients to the drug’s possible effects, such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Doctors refer to withdrawal symptoms as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. A person who feels ready to discontinue the drug needs to discuss this with their doctor, who may recommend gradually lowering the dosage to help avoid severe discontinuation symptoms.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms of Prozac withdrawal, including how long they last. This article also looks at what causes the symptoms, tips for managing symptoms, and more.
Research suggests that anywhere from 56% to 80% of people who attempt to come off antidepressants experience symptoms of medication withdrawal or discontinuation.
Withdrawal symptoms typically occur around
Suicide prevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
- Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
- Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
The reason for withdrawal symptoms is that suddenly stopping an antidepressant can cause a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can have physical and mental effects.
Antidepressants with a longer half-life, such as Prozac, are less likely to cause problems on discontinuation. The term half-life refers to how quickly the amount of a drug in the body reduces by half.
Prozac has an approximate half-life of 4 to 6 days, which is much longer than that of many other antidepressants.
A 2020 study notes that severe withdrawal symptoms are less common with fluoxetine than with other antidepressants. However, withdrawal from Prozac typically lasts longer than it does for drugs with a shorter half-life.
Although there is no specific Prozac withdrawal timeline, Prozac discontinuation symptoms typically begin around
As fluoxetine has a longer half-life than other antidepressants, it may take longer for a person to develop withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms may also last longer, though they do not tend to be severe.
Certain factors, such as the speed of a person’s metabolism, may also cause withdrawal symptoms to appear more quickly or gradually.
Tapering dosage is the best way to manage symptoms of withdrawal. When a person decides that they are ready to discontinue Prozac, a doctor will likely recommend gradually reducing their dosage.
Tapering usually lasts several weeks. A doctor may suggest tapering the medication over
Due to the long half-life of Prozac, some people may not need to taper off and can simply stop taking it. However, a person should only do this under the guidance of a doctor.
According to Mind, self-care tips for a person coming off antidepressant medication include:
- telling family and friends about plans to come off antidepressants
- following a healthy diet, with a focus on foods that release energy slowly to help keep blood sugar levels stable
- getting enough quality sleep
- getting enough regular physical activity or exercise
- avoiding alcohol and recreational drug use
Learn more about how to stop antidepressants safely.
Antidepressants, such as Prozac, typically carry a black box warning, as they may worsen symptoms of depression or suicidal ideation and cause unusual changes in behavior in adults less than 25 years of age.
People taking Prozac and their loved ones or caregivers need to watch for certain signs and symptoms. These may include:
- restlessness
- anxiety
- irritability
- insomnia
- aggressiveness
- a preoccupation with death or dying
- getting affairs in order
- feeling trapped or hopeless
- talking about suicide
- intense mood swings
If a person experiences these symptoms and behaviors, they need to speak with a doctor.
Prozac may also interact with other medications or supplements and increase the risk of side effects. It is advisable to make a doctor aware of any other medications a person is currently taking, particularly:
- medications that change heartbeat
- other medications for depression
- St. John’s wort
Additionally, Prozac may result in problems if a person:
Learn more about the possible side effects of Prozac.
Discontinuing an antidepressant can
Abruptly stopping antidepressants can lead to
A person needs to talk with their doctor if Prozac withdrawal symptoms are:
- severe
- disabling
- lasting longer than a few weeks
Additionally, it is important to seek help if individuals experience suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or any other unexpected symptoms.
A person also needs to seek help if the symptoms of the condition for which they were taking Prozac redevelop or worsen.
Stopping Prozac (fluoxetine) can lead to withdrawal symptoms. These can include brain zaps, dizziness, mood changes, irritability, anxiety, headaches, confusion, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts.
Due to the long half-life of Prozac, it is less common for people to experience withdrawal symptoms than it is with other antidepressants. These symptoms may have a longer duration, but they are typically less severe. They may include dizziness, confusion, and headaches.
When a person decides that they are ready to stop Prozac, they can discuss this with their doctor and follow their advice on discontinuation strategies.
A doctor may consider tapering the dosage of Prozac to help avoid or reduce withdrawal. People can also try using self-care strategies, such as exercising, getting regular sleep, and following a balanced diet, to help minimize potential symptoms.