Prozac and digestive problems?

I've been taking Prozac for about thee weeks now.
I do feel better depression wise but it seems to be causing problems with my digestive system. I feel sick sometimes also had trouble with acid and wind on and off.
It has effected the other end too, I have to keep dashing to the loo!
Has anybody had these side effects? Do they pass with time when your body gets used to the drug? I don't think I can carry on like this indefinitely...
Thanks for any replies.

The side effects you mention do appear on the Consumer Medical Information sheet.
If they are not getting better it might be good to get in contact with who ever prescribed it and see if there is an alternative.

I started on Lovan (another form of Prozac today) aka Fluoxetine so I do have a vested interest in this medication.

Good Luck

SSRIs commonly give people GI related effects because of serotonin receptors in the gut, etc. The severity of the symptoms can range from just noticeable to almost debilitating. What you describe, OP is not terribly uncommon though not necessarily expected as it seems everyone has a different tolerance to such effects.

Ideally your body will adjust. It's really up to you if you want to see if that will happen and how long you want to give it.

In terms of effectiveness, it is often a rule of thumb to be on an SSRI for at leat 6 to 8 weeks to get a clear picture of whether or not it is helpful.
There are other SSRIs that may give you the same or similar benefits but fewer GI symptoms- if you feel this med is helping, I would call the prescribing provider, as suggested previously, and ask if there is something specifically that is an SSRI known to be easier on the digestive system, I'm really not sure.

I get heart burn often with Prozac. But it has calmed down since my body has gotten use to it. How many mg are you on?

I know nausea is a common side effect with Prozac. But if it bothers you too much, go back to your Dr.

Thanks for your reply.How long did it take for your heart burn to calm down?
I'm on the starting dose of 20mg. I hope my body will get used to it soon and these GI side effects will subside. I'll see my Dr next week.

Your toilet issues can go either way on start up , you may have trouble with constipation long term , plenty of off the shelf meds to help that .

When I first started Prozac, I have low abdominal issues. They subsided with a few weeks. When I stepped to 40mg I didn't have any trouble. It has helped my mood somewhat.

One idea might be to look to IBS [Irritable Bowel Syndrome] diet tips and such. Last I was reading about it, and admittedly that was a WHILE ago, there seemed to be suggestion that a lot had to do with mood and so serotonin and that played into at least part of it [though not all].

I mean my theory is that people with IBS who commonly find that certain foods are triggers may give you a clue as to what kind of foods may or may not ease the transition for your body.

It's just a thought.

Google results lists:
IBS trigger foods

IBS diet recommendations

managing mild to moderate IBS

Sorry is that helpful or annoying? I just thought it might be easier if you haven't had much knowledge, experience with IBS. But again, just an idea?

Hope you can figure out a way to work it.

-Josie

Thank you Josie,
That's a good idea and helpful. I'll check out the foods that may be able to help me through this transition.

It took about 3 weeks for mine to calm down. I was on 20mg for two weeks then upped to 30mg for two weeks now I'm on 40mg there on after. Do you take your pill in the morning or the night? That might have a bit to do with it.

My Pdoc told me to take it in the morning, so thats what I've been doing.
He said it can give you energy so may effect sleep if taken at night.
I'm feeling a bit better today, I've been really careful with what I've been eating.

Do you take capsules or tablets? I used to get terrible heartburn with the capsules. I mentioned it to the pharmacist and he switched me to soluble tablets (they are soluble but you can swallow them whole as well). I was fine after that. Apparently heartburn is common with the capsules. Sometimes making sure you drink plenty with the capsule can help; it didn't really work for me.

They didn't have Prozac tablets when I was young just green and white capsules, I thought the point of PROZAC WAS SLOW RELEASE

I started on Prozac and it did not suit me at all. I had sudden and severe diarrhoea, it was so bad I had to stop taking it. It is apparently a rare side effect.
I then was put on Paroxetine, which works well for me. No diarrhoea, no weight gain. I have to take them with food or I get heart burn.

the diarrhoea would have lifted over time , I remember having a crap in some strange places , when starting Prozac it didn't leave you long enough to make it to a crapper , so behind a dumpster bin was one time I remember many more unusual but I wont go into them

Oh yes me too.