Prozac Alternatives to Consider — Talkspace

Prozac (fluoxetine) is a typical antidepressant within the class of medicine often called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicine work by altering ranges of the neurotransmitter serotonin within the mind to boost temper.

SSRIs like Prozac are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for treating main depressive dysfunction (MDD), panic dysfunction, obsessive-compulsive dysfunction (OCD), and a few others when prescribed. They’ve fewer unintended effects than different antidepressants, however they’re not appropriate for everybody. 

Individuals would possibly search for alternate options to Prozac for a wide range of causes. They might be involved about Prozac side effects, desire a extra pure method to treating their signs, or the drug would possibly simply not work for them. In recent times, curiosity in holistic psychological well being remedy has elevated as folks change into extra keen to discover pure cures to deal with numerous situations. 
If you happen to’re curious about studying extra about Prozac alternate options, learn on. We’re protecting what it’s worthwhile to find out about various kinds of antidepressant medicine you’ll be able to attempt as a substitute and a few of the standard pure cures obtainable in the present day. After you have all the data, you’ll be able to speak to your physician and decide the very best, simplest remedy plan to your wants and signs.

Different Medicines to Prozac

Lately, extra folks have change into curious about studying about drugs that may function a Prozac substitute. Thankfully, there are quite a few medicine obtainable to contemplate.

1. Celexa (citalopram)

Celexa, or the generic title citalopram, is one other antidepressant medicine within the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class that helps steadiness temper by growing serotonin ranges within the mind. Earlier than switching from Prozac to Celexa, it is best to speak to your physician about potential adversarial results. Important results to concentrate on embody a hyperlink to heart issues and an elevated threat of interactions with other drugs.

• Situations Celexa can deal with: Celexa primarily treats main depressive dysfunction, however can also be used off-label to deal with nervousness and different situations.

• Frequent unintended effects of Celexa: Some widespread unintended effects folks could expertise are elevated sweating, headache, diarrhea, nausea, insomnia, and fatigue.

2. Cymbalta (duloxetine)

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is among the essential alternate options to Prozac for melancholy and nervousness. It additionally works by altering neurotransmitters linked to temper swings. Observe that Cymbalta is related to hypertension and liver issues if misused.

• Situations Cymbalta can deal with: FDA-approved makes use of of Cymbalta embody main depressive dysfunction, generalized nervousness dysfunction (GAD), fibromyalgia, persistent musculoskeletal ache, and diabetic neuropathic ache. It’s additionally used off-label to deal with stress urinary incontinence and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

• Frequent unintended effects of Cymbalta: Frequent Cymbalta side effects embody complications, problem sleeping, blurred imaginative and prescient, constipation or diarrhea, and dry mouth.

3. Lexapro (escitalopram)

Lexapro (escitalopram) is a well-liked various to Prozac. The drug works equally to the others listed right here, nevertheless it has fewer reported unintended effects that generally make it price contemplating above different alternate options. Curious how this medicine compares to Prozac? Try our comparability of Lexapro vs. Prozac.

• Situations Lexapro can deal with: Lexapro is used to deal with main depressive dysfunction and generalized nervousness dysfunction. It is usually used off-label to deal with some consuming issues, OCD, PTSD, panic dysfunction, and extra.
• Frequent unintended effects of Lexapro: Frequent Lexapro side effects embody dry mouth, nausea, hassle sleeping, dizziness, and constipation.

4. Paxil (paroxetine)

Paxil can also be within the SSRI class of medicine. It impacts chemical ranges within the mind that may be unbalanced in folks with nervousness, melancholy, and different psychological well being situations. Observe that in comparison with different SSRIs, Paxil has extra reported unintended effects. If you happen to’re curious how the unintended effects examine to Prozac’s unintended effects, try our information on Paxil vs. Prozac.

• Situations Paxil can deal with: Paxil is FDA-approved to deal with main depressive dysfunction, panic dysfunction, OCD, and a few nervousness issues, together with social nervousness dysfunction and generalized nervousness dysfunction (GAD). It’s additionally used to deal with post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD) and is used off-label for separation nervousness, physique dysmorphic dysfunction, OCD in youngsters, and extra. 

• Frequent unintended effects of Paxil: Unwanted side effects of Paxil embody sexual dysfunction, drowsiness, and weight acquire.

ALTERNATIVES TO PROZAC	USES	COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Celexa (citalopram)	Main depressive dysfunction	Headache Dry mouth  Nausea Restlessness Diarrhea Elevated sweating Drug interactions Nervousness Fatigue Issue sleeping (insomnia)  Sexual unintended effects Elevated threat of coronary heart points
Cymbalta (duloxetine)	Main depressive dysfunction Generalized nervousness dysfunction Ache brought on by diabetic neuropathy Power musculoskeletal ache Fibromyalgia	Lightheadedness  Lack of urge for food Nausea Dry mouth Tiredness Constipation Drowsiness Elevated sweating Dizziness
Lexapro (escitalopram)	Main depressive dysfunction Generalized nervousness dysfunction	Dry mouth Nausea Issue sleeping Confusion Diarrhea or constipation Headache Sexual dysfunction Dizziness or drowsiness
Paxil (paroxetine)	Melancholy Obsessive-compulsive dysfunction Generalized nervousness dysfunction Panic dysfunction Social nervousness dysfunction Put up-traumatic stress dysfunction Premenstrual dysphoric dysfunction	Dry mouth Blurred imaginative and prescient Sexual dysfunction Dizziness or drowsiness Constipation Sleepiness Lack of urge for food or upset abdomen Weight reduction

Pure Options to Prozac

If you happen to’re in search of pure alternate options to Prozac for melancholy, nervousness, or one other situation, you will have a number of choices to contemplate. Research suggests that some pure cures and natural dietary supplements may be efficient for some folks. 

5. Holistic approaches 

• Train: Bodily exercise is a robust temper booster that releases endorphins, the physique’s pure feel-good chemical compounds.

• Daylight and lightweight remedy: Research links melancholy signs to low ranges of Vitamin D. Thus, common publicity to daylight can probably assist some folks with melancholy. When treating seasonal have an effect on dysfunction (SAD), light boxes present synthetic gentle that can be useful.

• Food regimen: A wholesome and balanced weight loss plan wealthy in complicated carbohydrates, fruits, greens, entire grains, and legumes would possibly assist raise your temper naturally.

• Sleep: An everyday circadian rhythm and well-maintained sleep helps neurotransmitter ranges to remain optimum.

6. Pure dietary supplements

• St. John’s wort: St. John’s wort has been used for hundreds of years as an natural treatment identified for its antidepressant properties. Whereas the proof isn’t conclusive, and extra analysis needs to be completed, some studies present that St. John’s may be an efficient solution to deal with melancholy in some instances. 

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Extra analysis is critical, however a meta-analysis of dozens of research discovered that hundreds of individuals noticed useful results of Omega-3s on depressive signs. Further research additionally suggests Omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful as a non-pharmacological remedy for melancholy and different temper issues. 

• S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe): Analysis means that SAMe may be useful for melancholy, though, like so many different pure or holistic dietary supplements, extra analysis is required. Greater than 40 research counsel that SAMe may be effective in treating depressive symptoms, however sadly, most of them are short-term research that solely lasted a few weeks. 

7. Remedy

Discuss remedy (often known as psychotherapy) is proven to positively impression the end result of psychological well being remedy — in reality, as much as 75% of people that search remedy see advantages. 

“Remedy may be as efficient as Prozac in treating signs of melancholy and nervousness. If signs are delicate, sufferers usually tend to reply properly to remedy alone.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Dion Metzger, MD

Countless studies present that when remedy is mixed with medicine, the outcomes are superior to when both remedy is used alone. 

Talkspace is a safe on-line platform that provides handy, reasonably priced entry to remedy. Whether or not you wish to mix remedy with different types of remedy otherwise you wish to use it as an alternative choice to Prozac for managing your psychological well being situation, Talkspace makes the method simpler than ever. 

Concerns for Switching to a Prozac Different

If you happen to’re in search of alternate options to Prozac for nervousness, melancholy, or another situation, speaking to your physician about all of the implications of creating a change is crucial.

Each particular person can react in another way to medicine and remedy plans. Monitoring how your physique responds if you happen to’ve just lately switched drugs is crucial. Whereas identified and customary unintended effects exist for each drug, that doesn’t imply everyone will expertise each facet impact. Ensure to contact your physician when you have any facet impact that worsens or is regarding or surprising.

Discuss to your physician about:

• Your present well being standing
• Different medicine and dietary supplements you’re taking
• Doable unintended effects of any new medicine you’re contemplating
• Efficacy of alternate options

“On account of its lengthy half-life, Prozac doesn’t have to be diminished earlier than stopping. Even on the very best dose of 80 mg day by day, you’ll be able to cease taking Prozac “chilly turkey,” and the metabolites of the medicine will work their approach out of your system on their very own. It’s necessary to know the chance of switching to a Prozac various is that different therapies might not be as efficient as Prozac. This opens the door for signs of melancholy or nervousness to return inside weeks or months of switching.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Dion Metzger, MD

Discover the Proper Different with Talkspace 

Discovering the fitting remedy plan when looking for Prozac alternate options may be an exhausting, daunting expertise — particularly if you happen to’re attempting to do it by yourself. Talkspace’s online psychiatry companies supply a handy, reasonably priced, simply accessible solution to get recommendation about medicine and remedy plans that fit your wants and signs. 

Our licensed psychological well being professionals can information you towards higher psychological well being. Whether or not Prozac isn’t working for you and also you wish to contemplate a brand new drug, otherwise you’re in search of pure alternate options to deal with your melancholy, we will help.

Attain out to Talkspace in the present day to be taught extra about alternate options to Prozac that may be efficient for you.