​Prozac, also known as fluoxetine, is a type of antidepressant medication that is commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. It is one of the most popular and widely prescribed antidepressants on the market today and has been in use since the 1980's. While Prozac has proven to be effective for many people, there are also some drawbacks to using this medication. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of Prozac (fluoxetine) in more detail.


Pros of Prozac:

1. Proven effectiveness: Prozac is a widely studied and tested medication that has been shown to be effective in treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. It is part of a group of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's), which work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is associated with feelings of well-being, peacefulness, and happiness. By increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, Prozac can help to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
2. Fewer side effects: Compared to other types of antidepressants, Prozac is known for having fewer side effects. This is because it is a relatively new medication that has been developed specifically to target the serotonin system in the brain. Some of the common side effects of Prozac include nausea, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. However, these side effects are usually mild and most tend to go away over time.  Talk with your physician if sexual dysfunction occurs.  There are possible solutions to this including changing medications or adding other medications to counteract this affect.  Prozac also has fewer withdrawal symptoms than many other mental health medications.
3. Long-term safety: Prozac has been in use for over 30 years and has a well-established safety record. Prozac is FDA approved for Major Depressive Disorder or Depression in as young as age 8.  No other medication is FDA approved for depression in children this young. This means that it can likely be used safely over the long-term to manage chronic depression and anxiety.
4. Easy to use: Prozac is available in tablets, capsules, and oral solution to help with ease of administration.  It is also sometimes used 1x/week, but talk to your Houston psychiatrist if this is something you are interested in.  Not all dosages are designed for weekly use. This makes Prozac easy to use and convenient for people who are managing their mental health symptoms.
   
   
   

Cons of Prozac:

1. Slow onset of action: One of the drawbacks of Prozac is that it can take several weeks to start working. Some will see benefit in the first 48 hours, but there is a wide range or response times.  This means that people who are experiencing severe depression or anxiety may need to wait a while before they start feeling better. This slow onset of action can be frustrating for some people, and may lead them to discontinue the medication prematurely.  Talk with your psychiatrist about faster options if needed.
2. Sexual dysfunction: One of the most common side effects of Prozac is sexual dysfunction. This can include decreased libido, difficulty achieving orgasm, and erectile dysfunction. For some people, these side effects can be severe enough to interfere with their quality of life.  Many mental health medications can affect sexual functioning (increased or decreased).  Psychiatrists at Your Family Psychiatrist regularly engage in questions about sexual functioning.  These questions will not be met with shame or judgement.  We have heard it all before.  
3. Interaction with other medications: Prozac can interact with some other medications, including over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements. This means that people who are taking Prozac need to be careful about what other medications they are taking and should always consult with their healthcare provider before starting any new medications.
   
   
   

In conclusion, Prozac is a widely used and effective medication for managing depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. While it has many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to using this medication. People who are considering Prozac should carefully weigh the pros and cons before starting treatment, and should always work closely with their healthcare provider to ensure that they are using the medication safely and effectively.

​Benzodiazepines, often referred to as benzos, is an anxiolytic made for treating anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. They are a commonly prescribed class of medications with brand names such as Klonopin, Valium, and Xanax.
 
While they help treat various conditions, benzodiazepines are potentially addictive, and some patients will develop a tolerance to them over time.  There are benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms that occur if one were to suddenly stop taking the medication after being on them for an extensive period of time. Doctors do not recommend quitting such medications "cold turkey", as this can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, which varies in severity.
 
Usually, the withdrawal symptoms begin within 24 hours of quitting the medication, and it can last days to weeks.
 
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
As mentioned, benzodiazepines are part of a group of medications known as nervous system anxiolytics treating anxiety and sleep disorders. The common types include alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam.
 
They are potentially habit-forming easily which can result in physical dependence. If you are looking to quit taking a benzodiazepine medication, it should be under the guidance of your healthcare professional.  Your psychiatrist will help you wean off slowly and with proper coping strategies, among other tools for a comfortable withdrawal process.
 
There isn’t an exact guide to the symptoms, timeline, and the severity of withdrawal, as individuals have different experiences, depending on factors like:

• Duration of taking the medication
• The dosage
• If the prescription were misused
• The mental health condition
• If there are other drugs taken simultaneously
• Misusing alcohol or other drugs 

 
Common symptoms include:

• Physical aches or pains that can be uncomfortable or severe
• Abnormal sensations, like feeling there are bugs crawling on one’s skin
• Hyperventilation
• Muscle spasm
• Sweating
• Anorexia or weight loss
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Hypersensitivity
• Depression
• Difficulty in concentration
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Insomnia
• Hallucinations, delusions, or the detachment from reality
• Grand mal seizures
• Cravings for benzos or other drugs for sedation, which may lead to relapse

 
While there isn’t a definitive guide for everyone, there are 3 possible phases for withdrawals, having only an estimated timeline. Again, those taking benzodiazepines need to do so under the guidance of their healthcare professional and should never stop them right away, especially when they do not consult a professional or develop a plan.
 
Here are the following withdrawal symptom phases:
 
Early or Immediate Withdrawal
The early withdrawal, also called rebound symptoms, shortly occur after one stops taking benzodiazepines. The symptoms depend on the drug's half-life. For instance, the symptoms of short-acting medications like Xanax would come quicker compared to long-acting medications like Valium.
 
During this stage, one may experience symptoms of the condition the medication was treating starting to come back, even worsening without benzodiazepines.
 
Acute Withdrawal
Acute withdrawal will happen after experiencing immediate withdrawal symptoms, usually within a few days. The symptoms can last multiple days, sometimes much longer.
 
Most symptoms will occur during this interval.  Generally people report this period being the most difficult.
 
Protracted Withdrawal
While most symptoms would subside after acute withdrawal, there may be lingering side effects.
 
The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that about 10-25% of those who use benzodiazepines for extended periods would experience withdrawal symptoms that can last for over a year. The protracted withdrawal symptoms are also known as post-acute withdrawal symptoms, including the following:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Loss of sex drive
• Mood swings
• Poor concentration

 
All of these symptoms may effect one’s quality of life, appearing without any warning and causing distress. Therapy and counseling, or even other medications, can help manage such symptoms.
 
There are coping strategies and medications used for the withdrawal from benzodiazepines, under the guidance of your addiction physician to come up with a treatment plan. That way the symptoms are monitored and their severity will be managed and minimized.
 
If you or a loved one plans to quit their prescribed dosage of benzodiazepines, do speak with your healthcare provider to find out if this is the right choice and how to go about it.