Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 62537

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Prozac Weekly??

Posted by Lynne on May 11, 2001, at 19:47:44

Has anyone tried the weekly version? If so, what do you think of it? Thanks in Advance,

Lynne

 

Re: Prozac Weekly??

Posted by Cindylou on May 11, 2001, at 22:12:53

In reply to Prozac Weekly??, posted by Lynne on May 11, 2001, at 19:47:44

I just saw an ad for that last night -- haven't yet heard of it. What's the concept? You only take it once a week? Is it extra strong? Or VERY time releasing??

Thanks, Lynne, for bringing this up!
-cindy

> Has anyone tried the weekly version? If so, what do you think of it? Thanks in Advance,
>
> Lynne

 

Re: Prozac Weekly?? » Cindylou

Posted by SalArmy4me on May 11, 2001, at 22:26:08

In reply to Re: Prozac Weekly??, posted by Cindylou on May 11, 2001, at 22:12:53

It isn't recommended for first-line treatment of depression; One needs to have taken regular Prozac for 4-6 weeks (and had a response to it) in order for one to be eligible to take Prozac Weekly {ideally}.

 

Re: Prozac Weekly??

Posted by Lynne on May 11, 2001, at 23:06:37

In reply to Re: Prozac Weekly?? » Cindylou, posted by SalArmy4me on May 11, 2001, at 22:26:08

I was on Celexa for a month 20 mg and didn't like it. My doctor gave me some samples of the weekly Prozac thinking it was the daily 20 mg sample. Anyway I had taken Prozac a few years back and found that it helped a little. It did make me very tired all the time. Well, I took the weekly Prozac just to see what would happen and I like it A WHOLE LOT MORE. It doesn't seem to make me as sleepy. I took it 5 days ago and it just keeps getting better. So far so good I will keep you posted!

Lynne

 

Re: Prozac Weekly??

Posted by Joy on May 12, 2001, at 6:15:12

In reply to Prozac Weekly??, posted by Lynne on May 11, 2001, at 19:47:44

I've heard it's extremely expensive and Lily is trying to capitalize because their world famous is going generic within the next couple of months. I take it daily [40 mg] and it works great. I don't want to mess around with something once a week that might not work as well. Maybe people on Prozac many years might want to try it, but I'm skeptical cause it's so expensive. Just my thoughts; I don't know enough about it to give any further opinions.
Joy


> Has anyone tried the weekly version? If so, what do you think of it? Thanks in Advance,
>
> Lynne

 

Re: Prozac Weekly??

Posted by pjhess on May 12, 2001, at 12:30:42

In reply to Re: Prozac Weekly??, posted by Joy on May 12, 2001, at 6:15:12

> I've heard it's extremely expensive and Lily is trying to capitalize because their world famous is going generic within the next couple of months. I take it daily [40 mg] and it works great. I don't want to mess around with something once a week that might not work as well. Maybe people on Prozac many years might want to try it, but I'm skeptical cause it's so expensive. Just my thoughts; I don't know enough about it to give any further opinions.
> Joy
>
>
> > Has anyone tried the weekly version? If so, what do you think of it? Thanks in Advance,
> >
> > Lynne


I started it a month ago and I do like it-- not so sleepy all the time. However the cost is ridiculous. $85.76 for 4 pills. It is about 10 dollars higher than a reg script. I like only having to take one pill but the cost will override that once the generic comes out. Paula

 

Re: Prozac Weekly?? » Lynne

Posted by Sunnely on May 12, 2001, at 16:07:32

In reply to Prozac Weekly??, posted by Lynne on May 11, 2001, at 19:47:44

Hi Lynne,

With Lilly's patent on Prozac set to expire, "Prozac Weekly" and "Sarafem" are 2 products that signify Lilly's last valiant effort to squeeze the last penny out of Prozac.

"Prozac Weekly," at 90 mg given weekly, was found to be pharmacokinetically similar to 20 mg/day of standard Prozac. Lilly then formulated an enteric-coated preparation that delays release of Prozac to minimize stomach distress, hence "Prozac Weekly" was born.

For some patients, standard Prozac preparations may be well tolerated and effective in a once-weekly regimen (at 90 mg/week or 4 20-mg capsule plus 1 10-mg capsule). For others, the enteric-coated form (Prozac Weekly) might be preferable.

Of course, the new formulation (Prozac Weekly), which will be patent protected, is likely to be more costly than generic forms of the standard Prozac preparation. So, if you can tolerate 90 mg/week of the standard Prozac (or the equivalent dose of the soon-to-be-available generic fluoxetine), you will definitely save a bundle.

BTW, "Prozac Weekly" is only indicated for those who are in remission of their depression and taking 20 mg/day of the standard Prozac. It is not a treatment for acute depression or in relapse of depression. It should not be substituted for patients who are taking more than 20 mg/day of the standard Prozac.

"Sarafem" is Prozac and Prozac is "Sarafem." Once the generic fluoxetine becomes available, theoretically, it can be substituted to Sarafem. However, if the script is written for "Sarafem," substitution is not possible. I highly doubt that it would create significant bioequivalent differences since fluoxetine has a very long half-life and has a nonlinear pharmacokinetics. On the other hand, once the generic fluoxetine becomes available, your pharmacist is free to dispense generic fluoxetine in lieu of the brand name Prozac, even if your prescriber writes Prozac in the script.

Lilly at the present time is already heavily investing their big bucks in what they hope is the next blockbuster antidepressant, duloxetine.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

> Has anyone tried the weekly version? If so, what do you think of it? Thanks in Advance,
>
> Lynne

 

Re: Prozac Weekly??

Posted by SLS on May 13, 2001, at 11:02:51

In reply to Re: Prozac Weekly?? » Lynne, posted by Sunnely on May 12, 2001, at 16:07:32


Hi Sunnely.

> Lilly at the present time is already heavily investing their big bucks in what they hope is the next blockbuster antidepressant, duloxetine.

Is that right? I thought that drug was abandoned a long time ago. I think it is a SNRI. When I first heard about it years ago, I was looking forward to seeing its development. However, my impression of duloxetine given by something I encountered on Medline awhile back is that it is not a very promising compound for treating depression.


- Scott

 

Re: Prozac Weekly?? » SLS

Posted by Sunnely on May 13, 2001, at 14:02:30

In reply to Re: Prozac Weekly??, posted by SLS on May 13, 2001, at 11:02:51

Scott,

In the recent annual APA meeting, Lilly reports that in an 8-week phase III study in patients with major depression who received 80 mg of duloxetine daily, patients experienced significantly greater improvement symptoms than those who used placebo or 20 mg of paroxetine.

Fifty of duloxetine-treated patients achieved remission of depression symptoms, versus 29.5% of patients receiving placebo. Lilly also reported on a phase II study that yielded similar results.

Duloxetine is a dual reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

>
> Hi Sunnely.
>
> > Lilly at the present time is already heavily investing their big bucks in what they hope is the next blockbuster antidepressant, duloxetine.
>
> Is that right? I thought that drug was abandoned a long time ago. I think it is a SNRI. When I first heard about it years ago, I was looking forward to seeing its development. However, my impression of duloxetine given by something I encountered on Medline awhile back is that it is not a very promising compound for treating depression.
>
>
> - Scott

 

Re: Prozac Weekly?? » Sunnely

Posted by SLS on May 13, 2001, at 15:21:44

In reply to Re: Prozac Weekly?? » SLS, posted by Sunnely on May 13, 2001, at 14:02:30

> Scott,
>
> In the recent annual APA meeting, Lilly reports that in an 8-week phase III study in patients with major depression who received 80 mg of duloxetine daily, patients experienced significantly greater improvement symptoms than those who used placebo or 20 mg of paroxetine.
>
> Fifty of duloxetine-treated patients achieved remission of depression symptoms, versus 29.5% of patients receiving placebo. Lilly also reported on a phase II study that yielded similar results.


Thanks...

Gosh, I hope this is good stuff. I could use another toy to play with. All of my other ones never worked right to begin with. Unfortunately, the store that sold them to me would not accept refunds.


- Scott

 

Re: Prozac Weekly??

Posted by ninafel on July 15, 2001, at 14:01:33

In reply to Re: Prozac Weekly?? » Lynne, posted by Sunnely on May 12, 2001, at 16:07:32

Has anyone else heard that Prozac weekly is supposed to cause fewer digestive side effects? I read this in _Family Circle_ magazine but could not find info on this elsewhere. I am anxious to try it because Prozac daily exacerbates my IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).


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