Posted by yxibow on February 4, 2006, at 21:57:53
In reply to Prozac to Celexa, posted by Red_Rach on February 4, 2006, at 17:39:54
> I am from the uk and suffer from OCD. Recently I've had a blip and Ive been taking up to 80mg of Prozac to not much affect it would seem. Ive been told off by my GP as taking 80mg in this country is not licenced.
>
> I asked about prozac alternatives and the doctor recomended Celexa. Thing is my doctor dosnt want me to start taking the celexa until 3 weeks, she wants me to reduce the prozac slowly. Is this really nessisary?
>
> I need to start feeling better, and Im considering going back up to 80mg again without the doctors consent!!Prozac was the first SSRI and has more harsh side effects. It also has a half life of up to 7 days. Most people consider a drug eliminated from the body when 5 half lives have passed, so the Prozac wouldn't be gone for over a month. Luvox (fluvoxamine) is also a good medication for OCD, it is a bit more sedating, it has gone generic here in the states, I dont know what NHS does, but I've taken it up to 400mg. Celexa or Lexapro are also alternates. Your GP is probably concerned that if you start the Celexa immediately you could suffer Serotonin Syndrome, because there would still be a large blood level of Prozac in your body. She is being conservative but SS is not particularly pleasant to go through. You could ask your GP about a crosstaper, if that is feasible, remembering that the Prozac would be leaving your body very slowly.
poster:yxibow
thread:606365
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060129/msgs/606429.html