Babar123: need help tapering off Prozac

[Babar123]

Need help tapering off prozac. Please help guys.

 

I've been on prozac for 2 years and 8 months now. I need an advice whether I can take a Fluoxetine Syp from a different manufacturer as Eli-Lilly is not providing a fluoxetine syrup in my country. 

Right now, I'm consuming 40mg of prozac capsulated in 2 pills. 

I'm trying to taper off 10% every month as recommended on this website.  So, should I just switch to syrup completely and stop taking pills altogether? Please advise....so I may start immediately. 

The syrup from a different manufacturer comes in 20mg/5mL 60mL container. 

 

Edited November 10, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before shortening

[ChessieCat]

Hi and welcome to SA,

 

It is possible to make your own liquid.  See Post #1 of this topic:

 

Tips for tapering off fluoxetine (Prozac)

 

When changing form of a drug it is better to do a "cross over".  Gradually changing from (for example) tablet to liquid.

 

Because you are taking 40mg Prozac, instead of changing to all liquid you could take 20mg tablet and 20mg liquid.  You would then reduce the liquid when make a reduction of your dose.

 

You should only make one change at a time.  So you would NOT make a reduction at the same time.

 

Please see:

 

cross-over-changing-form-eg-tablet-to-liquid-of-drug-or-changing-brand-of-same-drug

 

Post #1 of this topic has links to helpful topics:

 

Important topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ

 

Please create your drug signature following these instructions:

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

This is your own Introduction topic where you ask questions and journal your progress.

 

Edited November 18, 2022 by getofflex
updated link for signature thread

[Babar123]

Okay, I'll keep all of this into consideration. 
 

I will probably make my own solution, as stated 1mL of water for 1mg of prozac. I think my mind accepts that. 

[ChessieCat]

If you use 20mL of water for a 20mg tablet/capsule contents (open the capsule and tip into the water) then each 1mL of liquid will contain 1mg Prozac.

 

You can make a weaker liquid by adding more water:

 

to make the calculation, divide both sides by the amount of water

 

20mg in 20mL = 1mg per 1mL

20mg in 40mL = 0.5mg per 1mL   (divide both sides by 40)

20mg in 80mL = 0.25mg per 1mL

20mg in 100mL = 0.2mg per 1mL

[Babar123]

Prozac taper, am I doing it right?

 

I take 40mg of prozac everyday. Tapered it to 36mg. 

i put 40mg powder in a glass, mix it with 40ml of water and take out 4ml with a syringe and drink the rest of 36mg.

 

can anyone please tell me how to properly mix it in the glass? is a spoon enough to mix it? Should I wait for a while after mixing? 

 

Kindly help.

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

In my post above I advised you not to change to liquid and make a reduction at the same time.  See:

 

On 11/10/2022 at 6:21 PM, ChessieCat said:

You should only make one change at a time.  So you would NOT make a reduction at the same time.

 

Please see:

 

cross-over-changing-form-eg-tablet-to-liquid-of-drug-or-changing-brand-of-same-drug

 

[ChessieCat]

4 minutes ago, Babar123 said:

i put 40mg powder in a glass,

 

I also advised for you to take a 20mg tablet plus liquid.

[ChessieCat]

You will need to make sure that the tablet/powder has dissolved, then gently stir before measuring your dose.  See:

 

how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules

 

[Babar123]

@ChessieCatI meant, I’m making my own solution.

 

I take a 20mg pill. The remaining 20mg, I break the capsule and mix the powder in water. Consuming 16mg of it in 16mL of water.
Sorry for the misunderstanding. 
 

i don’t have a mg scale and my country does not have good ones either.
 

does it sound about right? 

[ChessieCat]

You do not need a scale.  You will need syringes to measure your liquid.

 

using-an-oral-syringe-and-other-tapering-techniques

 

3 minutes ago, Babar123 said:

I take a 20mg pill. The remaining 20mg, I break the capsule and mix the powder in water. Consuming 16mg of it in 16mL of water.

 

Yes to get the 36mg dose this is correct:  taking a 20mg capsule + 16mL of the liquid (made by added 20mg powder to 20mL water and consuming 16mL).

[Babar123]

Thanks a lot. 🙂

[Babar123]

My brain is asking me to stop taking pills

 

Hello,

 

I’m tapering prozac for 7 days at 10% reduction every month.

 

i take my meds at night before sleeping usually after working out. 

 

Now, my brain has been telling me to stop taking meds because I’ll wake up with brain fog and feeling like trash. And as a matter of fact, I did wake up feeling really unmotivated, brain fog, and just idk disassociated.

 

This has happened twice in 7 days. Should I taper the first month down to 30 mg instead of 36mg? 

 

Then keep it for a month and notice the effects? 

 

with proper nutrition and physical exercise I don’t feel the need to take meds…both of the things I wasn’t doing before.

 

Edited November 18, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[Altostrata]

Hello, @Babar123

 

Please do not get overanxious about reducing Prozac. 

 

Other than the occasional brain fog after waking, how do you feel after reducing to 36mg?

[Babar123]

It feels the same way I felt on 40mg. Intrusive thoughts still there..probably causing more anxiety than they did before

 

generally, able to function. 

 

After today’s experience, I think i’ll just take 36mg. I’m probably not strong enough yet to face my intrusive thoughts.

[Altostrata]

Did you have intrusive thoughts while taking 40mg fluoxetine? Or are these new intrusive thoughts? What are they about?

[Babar123]

I’ve had intrusive thoughts for a very long time irrespective of dosage. 

 

The theme keeps on changing though. I was diagnosed with OCD, Pure O. I’m a fairly religious person and I’ve been getting thoughts about being homosexual. Nothing against them but I dislike getting the thought again and again because I’m not a homosexual.

 

 

[Altostrata]

It does not appear that any amount of Prozac is an effective treatment for that fixation, it is unrelated to tapering. Highly recommend you seek psychotherapy or other counseling to relieve yourself of unnecessary sexual guilt.

 

It appears your taper is proceeding normally.

[Babar123]

I lost again…I increased my dose back to 40mg 3 days ago.

 

Need help…should I stay on 40mg for a month now and taper next month on 19th?

[Babar123]

I’m also visiting a psych for eval next month, the therapist has a tight schedule. That shall help, also going to ask for a taper.

 

and gonna continue with therapy…the fixation was too difficult to get over with…

[Altostrata]

If you feel you need to take 40mg Prozac to control your fixation, by all means, please do so.

 

Please read Tips for tapering off fluoxetine (Prozac) When you are ready to taper, let us know if you have any questions about tapering.

[Babar123]

I’m asking if it’s reasonable to just taper it right now or wait a month and adjust on this dose?

 

Is it detrimental to brain health to switch dose in 3 days?

[Altostrata]

You decided to take 40mg again. You can taper any time you want.

[Babar123]

Okay, thanks a lot…

 

 

sorry for bothering with stupid questions but I just care about myself..