Can antidepressant side effects be permanent?
“By the time we find out what the effects of long term use are it may be too late to help those people, the effects could be permanent. “If it does cause an increased risk of stroke or seizures or effect on the kidneys, these things may only come to light as you get older and it may be very difficult to treat those.”
How long does it take for serotonin levels to return to normal after SSRI?
In cases where serotonin syndrome is only present in a mild form, symptoms may be alleviated within 24 hours of discontinuing the medication causing the uptake in serotonin. However, some antidepressants can cause symptoms to last longer as serotonin levels may take weeks to return to normal.
What happens if you suddenly stop taking Prozac?
If you suddenly stop taking fluoxetine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood changes, irritability, agitation, dizziness, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, anxiety, sweating, confusion, headache, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
How to taper off your antidepressant?
The best way to stop taking your antidepressant is to slowly taper the medication under a doctor’s supervision. This involves slowly lowering the dose of medication until you are completely off of it.
How long does Prozac stay in your system?
The half life of this medication is as long as three days. It will be out of your system in 15 days depending on individual factors related to the patient. Ask your prescriber.
How do I stop taking antidepressants?
In many cases, the best way to stop taking most antidepressants is to slowly cut back your dose under the guidance of your doctor. This is called tapering. Tapering helps your brain adjust to the chemical changes and can help prevent discontinuation symptoms. Your doctor will tell you how to lower your dose over a couple of days.