Prozac induced anxeity

I was put on Sarafem (which is just another name for prozac) because of mood swings due to an imbalance of my hormones (due to Seasonal, a birth control) After having been on it for 12 days I began to have severe anxiety, I was given xanax to help control to anxeity attacks but now I am scared of everything. I went to the hospital last night with an attack (passing out, not breathing shaking) Does anyone know how long it will take for the prozac to get out of my system? (20mg once a day, 12 days) and has anyone had the same problem? Will the anxeity go away when the prozac is out of my system? Will I need to keep taking the xanax? I am scared of everything (I have no history of mental disorders at all)....Help?

Prozac, unfortunately, can cause anxiety. It's one of the more activating anti-depressants -- and it has about the longest half life of any SSRI. I think the full wash out period is about five weeks, but you should be feeling better well before that. The five weeks is how long it takes all the metabolites to get out of your system. The anxiety should be faded within a week or so.

I'm sorry I can't tell you that you'll wake up Friday feeling fine, but you should feel progressively better over the next few days. Also, once the Prozac is out of your system, if it was really entirely the Prozac causing this, you shouldn't find the need to continue the Xanax. That's good news, at least, right? Good luck.

yeah i think the prozac does feed that obessive compulsive hunger.

ahhh, yes,, the memories of Prozac. I took it for several days and was so.. well, I called my pdoc and told him that I felt just like I could climb up on the roof and fly off. Prozac was just awful. I did try it again a few years later, but same thing.. so I'll never take it again. It is the most stimulating of the SSRI's that I've ever taken. I, personally, cannot tolerate it. Carol

Prozac is the only AD that worked for me. I have tried efffexot, lexapro, and zoloft and could not get through the side effects. So, here is one vote for Prozac.

Prozac is indeed a very activating antidepressant and a certain number of anxious people will respond with overwhelming anxiety. You should feel better in several days. Consider asking for an antidepressant like Celexa (now generic), Lexapro or Paxil (don't get the Paxil CR as it is in too short of a supply now, and never stop Paxil suddenly). Stay away from Zoloft, and Wellbutrin as occasionally these can be excessively activating as well with people who have a bad response to Prozac. Remeron is another choice though at low doses is associated with sedation and sometimes weight gain.

I started getting anxious after I took Citilopram (Celexa) and a friend told me that that med can also induce anxiety. the dr i saw at the time gave me some form of benzo (L---------pam - i forget) ... but omg said to take it every day, which freaked me out cos they are supposed to start to be addictive after 3 weeks or so?

i stopped taking all of it cos i don't want to be anxious of fat (celexa = major weight gain for me). i think i'd rather be miserable.