Paxil to Prozac

Hi

I've recently decided to try and go off Paxil. A friend did it by going from Paxil to Prozac, then off the Prozac. She had tried to wein off 3 different times with no luck. The Prozac way seemed to ease a lot of the side effects....Anyone else out there with info on this?

Thanks for your reply.

Kimberly

Read the topic I created on the subject, "From Paxil to Prozac to Nothing".

I will be assisting Darcy on writing up a section on using prozac as a way to quit paxil.

Good luck,

Mark

Just came from a visit with my new Dr., for those interested he instructed to reduce prozac no sooner than every three months. Because of its long half life one would not level out for at least three months at each reduction. Whew.....

So, I was on Paxil 40mg/day for 1 year. I didn't
think it was doing anything. I decided to get off of it. Spoke with MD and
we decided to taper by 5mg per week. After 2 days of 35 mg Paxil I had
the "zaps", anxiety, malaise. Terrible. Went back up to 40mg/day.
What to do? Well, I heard about switching to Prozac for 2 weeks and
tapering of that by 5mg every 2 days. Started at 35 mg per day for 2 days,
then 30 mg for 2 days, then 25 mg for 2 days, etc... all the way down to
5 mg for 2 days, then off for good. IT WORKED!!! It has been 5 weeks now
since last 5mg dose of Prozac and I feel great. Oh, I have a few mild "zaps" every day, but they get milder and fewer as time goes on.
I can also recommend taking 100 mg of 5-htp per day. You can look it up
on the internet. It is an amino acid and it helps with SSRI withdrawl symptoms. [/img]

Renee:

I can't imagine your doctor suggesting not to reduce other than in 3 month intervals. Are you sure that is what he/she meant?

I made the switch over to Prozac at 10 milligrams of Paxil. From there I got to zero in about 2 to 3 months...

Mark

Thanks for your post Mark. Now that I know what your "time frame" was, I'm going to reduce my 10mgs of Prozac over three or four months. I'll have to check with Dr. to reaffirm his instructions.

Renee:

Feel free to email me directly if you have questions. I am on line most of the day it seems.

If you are adjusted to the Prozac, the decreases should be much easier than Paxil but caution must still be used particularily below 5 milligrams.

Good luck,

Mark

If you do switch from Paxil to Prozac with the idea of getting off Paxil
you probably should do the whole thing quickly, not over a long period.
Look, you are already addicted to Paxil. You do not want to be addicted
to Prozac too, do you? That is what will happen if you don't quickly get
off quickly Prozac after switching. If Paxil is the only "brain drug" you are on now
or have ever been on then you can use Prozac to get off of it. Stopping
Paxil one day and starting Prozac the next as I described above works. You are
not on Prozac long enough to get addicted and it gets you off the
Paxil withdrawl merry-go-round. I know it doesn't make sense that it
would work, but it did work for me. It has worked for others going thru
the horror of Paxil withdrawl. Be brave. It might work for you too. I will
mention that I am not a doctor. I am someone who tried a therapy that
got me out of Paxil Hell and I hope my experience can help someone else.
Paxil to Prozac can work within two weeks, not months of slow tapering. Getting off
Paxil is worth everything. Switching to Prozac as I described could,
just maybe, work for you, too.

[Paxil Junkie]

if your addicted to paxil, your addicted to prozac, zoloft, celexa, effexor...whatever! Why do u think prozac helped u get off paxil? because they are all the same drug! they all do the same thing they all just have different strength. Your body couldn't tell that you stopped paxil when u started the prozac because to ur body u were getting the same drug! So when ur telling them to get off faster because u dont wanna get addicted to the prozac too u could be hurting them, maybe u just got lucky with the prozac withdrawl and got off easy, they could have a very hard time and have to take it slower.

No, as a matter of fact, they are not the same drug. They (Paxil,Zoloft, and Prozac) are
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. They all have different
formulas and they all work differently. The reason Prozac helps
an addict get off Paxil is that Paxil washes out of the system much
quicker than Prozac does. That is why Prozac works in getting off Paxil.
Staying on Prozac longer than 2 weeks could get the user addicted to it.
What good is it to trade Paxil addiction for Prozac addiction?
It says at the top of this page that this forum is for open discussion on
possibilities and new ideas and not a source of medical advice. I am
only trying to offer my experience in curing my Paxil addiction. Maybe
somebody can keep it in mind as a therapy they may wish to discuss
with their MD.

[Paxil Junkie]

im trying to say is these these drugs aren't exactly the same but they are basically the same, they all do the same thing just do it at different strengths... the different formula's that you talk about could be like compairing heroin down to morphine down to viccodin... they all do the same thing, just at different strengths, or formula's all opiads, all addicting, all have the same side effects, if someone was trying to quit heroin or morphin they could go down to codeine or viccodin, ,since its stil the same drug but at different strengths, just because they usually don't do this doesn' tmean it can't be done. Thats the same with paxil withdrawl... You've never heard a heroin addict saying oh i don't want to take viccodin because i might get addicted to it, its impossible... they are both opiads, just like prozac and paxil are both SSRI's... doesn't matter waht the formula is, how strong it is or how long it stays in the body, it does THE SAME THING, it has THE SAME SIDE EFFECTS and it has THE SAME WITHDRAWL EFFECTS.
Heres a quote from Dr Ann blake tracey(since noone seems to believe a word i say here's a doctor's opinion, one that has been specialized for over 10 years in the adverse reactions of ssri's):

"Keep in mind that these drugs are all serotonergic agents and clones or "copy cat" drugs of Prozac - the first SSRI antidepressant introduced to the market in America. Basically what applies to one, applies to the others. For instance we have more data out on Prozac because it has been around longer, but as the mode of action is the same for all of these meds the effects will be the same for the other drugs on this list as it is for Prozac. If we are discussing one drug, similar effects would be expected from any other company's version of the drug. In fact it would be more honest to give them the titles of Prozac #1, Prozac #2, Prozac #3, etc. rather than the brand names they have been given, from the second clone, Zoloft, to the latest Prozac clone, Celexa. My concern is that each new SSRI introduced seems to be a little stronger on serotonin reuptake and therefore potentially more dangerous. And the all too common practice of going from one SSRI to another blocks additional receptors and magnifies the harmful effects of these medications."

Now im not saying it didn't work for u im just saying it might not work for everyone, and they might have to stay on longer to stop some pain, what ur doing is not trying to help people from ur experience ur trying to scare them into thinking they can just get addicted to the prozac if they use that to get off paxil, perhaps rushing people to get off of it faster then their body can handle.

and one last thing lets look at your statement "They are not the same drug...the reason prozac helps an addict get off paxil is that paxil washes out of the system much quicker then prozac does." Yes but maybe you don't know what being addicted to something is, when your body is addicted to something, it craves it, needs it, and makes u feel absolutly horrible without it. Just throwing any thing in there just because "it stays in the body longer" won't do anything, u need to give the body what it wants to get rid of withdrawl, or suck it up and go through it painfully. Prozac making withdrawl stop is kind of a givaway that your giving your body what you want... kind of like back when u didn't know of paxil withdrawl and would feel insane, but right when u went back on paxil it magically disapeared. If you think the only reason prozac helps u get off of paxil is because it stays in the body long u might as well try quitting paxil with chloresteral or maybe fatty foods, they stay in the body for a long time don't they? The fact is prozac is the same thing as paxil with a longer halflife, and ur body is getting what it wants, and keeping it there longer that is why it helps with withdrawl.


I'm sorry if i seem angry or an ******* but im currently going through paxil withdrawl and really not feeling so good!

Thank you for your reply. Interesting that you quote an MD, since these
are the people that gave us SSRIs in the first place. Like anyone would
be stupid enough to listen to anything they might have to say on Paxil
withdrawl. I, like you, am not an expert.
I was addicted to Paxil. I, like you, did feel very sorry for myself.
I, like you, had severe SSRI withdrawl symptoms. Just awful stuff.
I, however, am not addicted to the addiction. I wanted a cure.
I was very, very lucky in finding a therapy that made the withdrawl
much easier.
Some people find benefit in being sick. They will never get off
of SSRIs because they really don't want to. They love the sympathy they
get. They love to talk about their various illnesses. These are the
"professional" sick people. This forum is full of these types.
However, there are also regular people who in only looking for help
with anxiety problems from their MDs get addicted to SSRIs. These regular
people are the ones I tried to offer my experience to.[/i]

[Paxil Junkie]

im saying, that not all mds are for meds... i dont trust many md's but there are tons of mds out there telling the truth about ssri meds, like the anti depressant fact book everyone is raving about, thats written by a md, are ug unna critiisze people about listening or reading that book? looks like ur just here to critisize people who don't think the same way u do... not listening to other people's opinions, and tossing out a critical piece of information because it was said by an MD... wow u would make a great md urself.


and im not talking about how ur addicted to an addiction or anything, im talking about how oblivious u are that ur cure to the addiction is the same thing that u were addicted to in the first place,im glad it worked for u but it doesn't work for everyone! that doesn't mean we want to be addicted to paxil for the rest of our lives, maybe it just means the side effects of prozac are too much to take. i've done hundreds of hours of research on these drugs, and u sound just like a doctor who doesn't want to listen to the newly found research out there because he "found" somethign that works for him and therfore it works for everyone.

I never, not once, say that my success would work for everyone.
Read it again, I clearly said it worked for me and it might also work for
others. Some Paxil addicts may wish to discuss it with their MDs.
Who made you the arbiter of all things Paxil? You only know what is
happening with you, not everyone who is addicted to Paxil. You don't
know what will or won't work. You're not any kind of expert. You don't
get to decide what works. We have all read plenty of info and opinions
on this very dangerous drug, not just you. You are not helping anyone.
You seem to want everyone reading your posts to abandon all hope.
To be like you. Boo-hoo. Feel better? Do you want to stay on Paxil
so you will have something to pontificate about? Or do you want to
put Paxil behind you? You seem to have made Paxil a huge part of
your life. But you are not enjoying it. Why? Is it really worth it?

[Paxil Junkie]

i didn't say i was an expert im just telling u what iv researched, and oh oh didnt u just say only a stupid person would listen to their doc about these medicines? u seem to contradict yourself an awful lot, when i quote a doc u say its stupid to listen to a doc, ,but when u are trying to make a point its ok to talk and listen to a doc... funny how that works huh... i am trying to get off paxil and have been doing it slowly and surely, i just dont feel taking another harmful drug and possibly causing even more problems is worth getting off of it, and i'm willing to take my time to get off of it, i would like an easy way out but not if it will hurt me even more, especially with all of prozac's really bad rage and anger side effects. How is this abandoning all hope? i'm trying to set people strait after uv told them to rush off of prozac that can be causing them more pain just so that they dont "Get addicted to it" meanwhile they already are... im done argueing with u, iv been here for months trying to help people, uv been here 2 days with ur one sided opinions and critisism and catigorization of me and other people on this board, im not usually an angry person but people like u just get me so frustrated at how thickheaded and ignorent u can be. When did i ever say to lose hope, im telling them to take it slow and let thier body be the guide, ur telling them to rush off potentially causing even more damage to thier body. Your saying u can get addicted to prozac(which makes as much sense as a heroin addict worrying about becoming addicted to opium or viccadin)without having a singe shred of evidence to say that that can happen... im thinking u just listen to what ur doctor says, but then when i mention something about a doctor u call me stupid for listening to the doctors that are trying to warn people about the dangers of these drugs. This is my last post to u, i dont like fighting with ignorent people, especially when they are too scared to even register and let people know some personal information abotu them, ur a guest here and u have no right to come here making biased opinions and come here making ur own opinions about me and other people on the board. from now on ur ignored... i regret ever meeting u

You have over 470 (?!) posts on this forum. Who is ignorant here? Pathetic. Switching from
Paxil to Prozac for 2 weeks worked for me. I am totally off Paxil.
No more withdrawl at all. Probably will not work for everybody.
Probably not at all for self-righteous, self-proclaimed Paxil experts.
I will ignore 'paxil junkie'. He is happy in his illness. Good for him.
But for Paxil victims who want info on what has worked for others
and might work for them, I offered good news. I did not say it
will work for everybody.
My very best wishes to everybody trying to get over Paxil. You can
do it. I found a way that worked for me, I think you will be able to
find some therapy that will work for you. Don't give up. Don't
listen to anybody who doesn't know what they are talking about.
They care only for themselves and want. you to be just as they are.

you're right easty, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I'd like to know one thing and that is : who are you to state that some people on this forum are "sick people," people who like the sympathy and people who just like talking about their illnesses? I also really resent that statement. People in this forum talk about their illnesses to gain information from others and to help others with their illnesses. Paxil Junkie is entitled to his opinion, I'm entitled to mine, and your yours. But please don't be classifying people that you know nothing about.

[Paxil Junkie]

thanks jakie thats my entire point i have alot of messages because i come here often and try and help people... people that go through the same thing i am going through, thats what i said he's only been here 2 days, he's a guest and hes making all these bogus claims about me and other people on the board, i hate people like that.

[JulieG]

Gee, Paxil Junkie, I have as many posts as you do. I guess we're in the pathetic club together. I know you want to get better regardless of what ever anyone else says. I think you'll get there, even if no one else does.

I don't care much for people like that either. You just keep on posting. I sure am. And say, I saw your picture earlier. You're a nice looking young man ! So quit putting yourself down.

I am so very sorry if I upset or insulted anyone on this forum.
Please accept this apology and let's all get on with it. I did not
mean to particularly upset 'Paxil Junkie'. I just did not know that
he was a child. I assumed that posters here were all adults. Oh, well...

Easty- apology accepted. Thank you

I switched from Paxil to Prozac and slowly tapered finally to zero.

Rushing off of Prozac makes no sense and in fact can be dangerous regardless if it works for some.

The dangers of 'going to slowly' don't exist.

Prozac takes longer to get into your system and longer to get out.

Once you get below 5 milligrams I suggest being very careful not to go to quickly.

Even when you are finished with your last dose you may feel withdrawal a week or two later as the Prozac finally makes its way out of your system.

Mark

Hi all of you!

My sister (23) is taking Bectam (aka Paxil) since almost 3 months. I had for almost 5 years and started to leave it 3 weeks ago after I was informed of all the long term effects that were affecting my life. I weanead too fast, and I am feeling awful.

The thing now is that i am worried for my sister. She has a different psychiatrist than me. I told her to leave him and come to mine so she could change to another antidepressant because of all we know about paxil (which i didnt know for 5 years!!). Well, she told all this to his psychiatrist and he said that some people got w/d syntoms and that they dont last more than 2 weeks!! And he said that my psychiatrist had done badly because he should have prescribed Fluoxetine (Prozac, Zoloft) to lessen the w/d syntoms. I fought that argument saying that all SSRI were all the same. But now reading some experiencies maybe her shrink was correct.

I will talk to my PsychDoc about this, maybe it helps. Now I am starting Wellbutrin. Drinking tons (as JulieG says) of water, eating healthy, no coffe, no alcohol, little red meat, and excercise.

I am not so concerned about the physical syntoms, I can deal with them. What worries me and sometimes is difficult to cope with are the emotional syntoms. I must recall every minute that this is w/d because I feel afraid to be back in the hole of depression. And I want to prevent my sister of all this suffering but she doesnt believe me much.

Greetings to everybody!
Pam

Hi all of you!

My sister (23) is taking Bectam (aka Paxil) since almost 3 months. I had for almost 5 years and started to leave it 3 weeks ago after I was informed of all the long term effects that were affecting my life. I weanead too fast, and I am feeling awful.

The thing now is that i am worried for my sister. She has a different psychiatrist than me. I told her to leave him and come to mine so she could change to another antidepressant because of all we know about paxil (which i didnt know for 5 years!!). Well, she told all this to his psychiatrist and he said that some people got w/d syntoms and that they dont last more than 2 weeks!! And he said that my psychiatrist had done badly because he should have prescribed Fluoxetine (Prozac, Zoloft) to lessen the w/d syntoms. I fought that argument saying that all SSRI were all the same. But now reading some experiencies maybe her shrink was correct.

I will talk to my PsychDoc about this, maybe it helps. Now I am starting Wellbutrin. Drinking tons (as JulieG says) of water, eating healthy, no coffe, no alcohol, little red meat, and excercise.

I am not so concerned about the physical syntoms, I can deal with them. What worries me and sometimes is difficult to cope with are the emotional syntoms. I must recall every minute that this is w/d because I feel afraid to be back in the hole of depression. And I want to prevent my sister of all this suffering but she doesnt believe me much.

Greetings to everybody!
Pam