[itsjustme111]

Is prozac as dangerous as they say it is? I am supposed to eat with it because its hard on my stomach; but I have an eating disorder; I dont eat much at all. Is it true that people have committed suicide and murders with this drug?

justy

[inkblot]

I realize that I don't have Cam's expertise, but until he arrives with a better answer, let me give it a half shot.

I don't think Prozac itself is dangerous normally, but there is a period of time until it can reach it's full potential to work. During this time the patient taking it can still feel a lot of symptoms and need monitoring. There is also the matter of finding the proper dosage, so obviously it won't work the best if the dosing is too low--or too high--that's the trial and error everyone knows best about having so many prescription changes. Moods and psyche status can change, also, adding to everything. For example: A local person in the news was previously diagnosed bipolar. He murdered someone, at which time he was determined to be schizophrenic, not bipolar. What you describe is possible, but I believe would be "infrequent" according to the drug monograph. Everyone is different, so don't be afraid of taking Prozac. It is a very safe, effective and popular drug! I am including a link to a great website with info on Prozac. The page linked to is the main starting point for this particular drug. When you get there, click on any of the buttons in the blue row near the top such as "side effects/drug interactions" and "warnings/precautions" for additional information, but I WARN YOU the information on these pages will be geared more for a medical professional. I thought you might still find useful information which is why I am giving you the link. Just don't be scared--trust your doctor and the drug. As far as taking with food, the monograph suggests with or without food, but my instincts and knowledge tell me it might be better for you to take with food. I realize that with an eating disorder, it's not exactly always "convenient", shall I say, to take a drug with food--I've been there! It doesn't have to be much, but do try to have something--even if it has to be toast, pudding or yogurt. I don't believe that Prozac has any food interactions, but if I am wrong perhaps Cam will point it out. Anyway, hope this helps in the meantime!

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/fluoxetine.htm

<div class="foot">(Edited by inkblot on 09/03/04 05:42 PM.)</div>

[darkeyes]

I am not Cam, but I was on prozac years ago, I never felt like murdering anyone or suicide.
I know and knew many people on this med and never had those side effects.
But everyone is different, my best advice is the moment you start getting any feelings that seem negative, report them to your doc ASAP, I use to do that when my pdoc was trying different meds, till we found which ones suited my disorder the best while having the least amount of side effects.
CamW is the best one to ask about this stuff, but I just thought I'd add my 2 cents about my experience
I am sure as soon as Cam has time to get online here he'll get to your question, he is a "dear" like that, and we are very fortunate to have someone like him here

Take care now,
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

[itsjustme111]

Thanks you both. The reason for me taking it with food is when my doctor originally prescribed this; my dose was 30mg. I took it and my tummy got really ill and I also got heartburn. He lowered it to 10. I am afraid to take this because there is a percentile that has done these things, but who really knows what the cause was. I think I will just give it a try. I guess I wont know until I take it.

justy

[inkblot]

That's more positive! It's true that things have happened to others, but that percentage is small. And there are a multitude of things that can factor. If the higher dose bothered your stomach, even at a smaller dose you might still want to take with food. Over time I'd hate for the possibility that it could cause damage (like erosions, preulcers, ulcers). Anyway, its a good precaution none the less.

[CamW]

IJM111- No drug is totally safe; there is an inherent danger of an adverse reaction occurring when anything is introduced into the body. And since every single person on this planet has a different physiology from everyone else, it is sometimes very difficult to know if a drug will cause an adverse reaction, and to what extent.

Anyway, as for Prozac™ (fluoxetine) and suicides, this first came to media attention in 1989 or 1990 (I believe). The Church of Scientology started a media blitz claiming that vast numbers of people were committing suicide after taking Prozac. They're evidence was anecdotal, and conclusions from well-designed scientific studies (non-industry) showed that, while a few people had taken their life while taking Prozac, the numbers were less than had been seen with the older TCA and MAOI antidepressants.

One theory of why someone would commit suicide while taking Prozac is that, when one is depressed, the have little to no motivation. Then they start the Prozac, and in a couple of weeks to a month, the depression begins to lift and energy and motivation return. If that person perhaps had had thoughts of suicide while depressed; maybe ruminated on it; and then the Prozac causes the return of motivation and energy to carry out the act. This is why doctors are now told to carefully monitor everyone for suicidal tendencies at the beginning of any antidepressant therapy.

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam

[shakes]

I believe a lot of the problems that were occuring with suicides were among teenagers that were on the drug. I think now a lot of the commercials for antidepressants say "not tested/recommended for people under age 18." I do not know for sure, but I am pretty sure that was a lot of the problem they were having with the drug. That and mixing it with certain other antidepressants within this age group.
I had great results with prozac and I hope that you do as well.

Jessica

[ktp]

Sometimes statistics can be swayed one way or another by a specific group. When my brother was diagnosed as schizophrenic at age 16, we were told that the major problem with teenagers and especially young people is their inconsistency in taking the meds. Alot of times statistics do not reflect that. It's pretty much, so many percent commit suicide on a specific med, no reasoning behind it or such. This is just my opinion on it.

I hope things work out for you justy~!

Take Care !!!!

[itsjustme111]

I have been taking it. Its not to bad, affects my tummy a little. But I dont eat with it. I cant. But I am so itchy. Sounds odd but not sure if its related. Its driving me nuts, dont have far to go. (kidding). But I cant see a rash though. Hmmm. I will keep taking it.
Thanks for the advice and info.

justy

[ktp]

Justy:

That's strange. My mom had the same reaction, except not on Prozac. She's on a combo right now and not sure which is causing it or what. She's taking Lexapro and Risperdal. Your reaction made me say hmmmm, sounds familiar. LOL. Hope nothing more than itching shows up though. Take Care.

[itsjustme111]

Oh wow. So your mom had to switch meds?? I am still really itchy but I CANT REACH. lol. I noticed a couple of red dots on my back but unsure what it is. Strange is my word for it too; lol.
Thanks again (((ktp))).

justy

[ktp]

Justy:

The word strange pops in my head again. I went to my family doc today and talked to her about my depression. She mentioned putting me on Zoloft, so I thought that's what she had done. But she filled it out Fluoxetine, so I didn't know until I looked it up that it's Prozac as well. LOL. Guess maybe we'll be itchy together.

Hope all is going well with you.

Take Care.
Kimberly

[itsjustme111]

((((ktp)))) lololol. Thats kind of funny, we can be itchy together. Well come scratch where I cant reach and i will do the same. hehe. I hope this med works out for you. Let me know. (I hope you dont get itchy). hehe

justy

[ktp]

LOL! ((((Justy)))) It's a deal !

ktp

i'm weighing in here to....even though i'm not Cam. i took Prozac for years when i was in my 30s and 40s. then the docs tried new stuff on me. i'm back on Prozac. i've never had any urges while taking it, suicidal or harm to someone else. it does make me eat more than i'd like, but there are side effects to everything and we all respond differently. good luck! p

Risperdal caused one of my patients to pick at her skin....itching like crazy. when she was taken off of that med, she quit picking and itching.

[itsjustme111]

Hey all of u. I feel really bad for saying, "a question for Cam."
I like all of the ideas, opinions etc. You dont have to be Cam; lol. I think the prozac is working, but I am the opposite with the appetite. I dont feel hungry at all. I havent eaten since the weekend (and that didnt go so good). The only thing I have had is coffee and some water to take pills with. But its not like I am starving.
I am really tired though; like big time. I can sleep better now but almost too much at times. I am still itchy but no rash, so I think thats okay. Just wish I could reach the itchy spots; lol.

justy

[(JD)]

Sure that makes sense.

Also, the most important warning is for children. I wonder if this is because children are more likely to receive the drug without therapy, expecting the adults to monitor... and some slip through the cracks (Whereas adults also go into therapy where the T is naturally watchful for poor changes.) Just wondering.

[designs]

I just started prozac so am interested in this thread. I could not tolerate lexapro, effexor, or zoloft due to side effects. Dr put me on low doasge of P 10 mg.... 5th day and no side effects so far, but I feel as depressed as ever. Thanks to all who shared this info...I do not post here very much, but am glad I checked today. I am a retired teacher who, in Oct 2004, returned to classroom along with a zillion other changes in my life and ended up in a deep depression even tho I resigned from my job. So, depression is new to me and I am not a happy camper about how I cannot even remember a "normal life". My best to all of you...and perhaps i will meet you in the chat room shortly. Jen from Houston

[itsjustme111]

Hi Jen, from Houston. I wanted to explain that I had been on prozac in pill form some time ago and it was too hard on my tummy. So they took me off up until a few weeks ago.

I did not know that there is a liquid form of prozac that is easier on the tummy, which it is as I have had no problems with it in this reguard. What concerns me is my recent mood fluctutations. I have had these up and downs but this was different. I posted about it in personality disorders (did not know where else to put it): make a long story short here;

I had this extremely powerful urge to crawl out of a moving car's window. Not jump out, like as in killing myself of something, just to sit on the edge as if it were some kind of challenge. It seemed so risky, it gave me a sense of power just thinking about it. It was unlike me and I can't help but wonder why this was so strong in my mind. I honestly felt like an indestructable super-hero.

I am not saying that it is the meds, who knows what that was all about. I don't have a pdoc and nobody will see me now in this city. Long story. The last pdoc that my family doctor set up refused to be my primary doctor and told my doctor that I should of been placed on a medical ward, not the psychiatric unit. He did not take anytime to even find out whats going on in my head. After all the BS that happened with this last admission, I discharged myself which resulted in all of the pdoc's here refusing to treat me at all. But really, no different than what was going on and I am now angry enough to stand up for myself. I don't know where to start but people are going to know about what does happen when "mental illness" has struck good people--the BS stigma and unacceptable so called treatment that is placed upon the ill.

Haha, I said short didn't I. Sorry about that, I am sick and tired of being pooped on!!!!!! Thats what my point was, well kind of. I am staying on the prozac but am going to be carefull. I really want to give it an honest effort and hope it works out for you too Jen.

Justy