prozac vs zoloft medications

There are faster actiing meds like Xanax and Ativan that are used on an as needed basis and are usually prescribed more short term and then there are medications like Zoloft and Prozac (SSRIs) that are prescribed more long term and taken on a regular basis. While these are only two types, there are also multiple other classes of medications that are used in the treatment of both. Whether or not to use medication is definitely a personal choice and not everyone chooses to do so.

ve tried several medications for anxiety and panic attacks, but have had major side effects from them all. Zoloft, Celexa, etc. My doctor recently prescribed Prozac for my anxiety and panic attacks. In reading about Prozac, it does list anxiety and panic, but they are down the list a ways. Does anyone know if Prozac is a good choice for this? I don't want to take them if they aren't going to do anything. I don't have OCD, which seems to be the main disorder Prozac is prescribed for.

well I have to say, after 3 tough weeks of severe nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, headaches, and dry mouth, I had to stop Wellbutrin and will be going back to prozac. If Zoloft helped with your depression, than there is a chance Wellbutrin won't work, because the brain chemistry problem that needs to be addressed is the serotonin problem. I hope you have better luck than I did.

First of all because we are all different regarding medications but also Zoloft is a relatively soft AD which is good for med sensitive person like you. Zoloft have no strong evidences of weight gain in the literature but like I said every person can react differently considering medications. I think going back on Zoloft and managing a careful dosage and diet. Another suggestion you can talk about with your psychiatrist is trying a sedating AD like mirtazapine.

My psychiatrist tried prozac, paxil, zoloft, and a long list of other medications. I had horrible side effects from them all. He finally put me on Effexor - venlafaxine. Has worked like a charm -150 mg every morning. My Dad, an attorney, had OCD untreated for 7 years. He went on prozac up to 80 mg. He took it for 4 years with no positive effect. Out of desperation he called the drug manufacturer, and with their consent and his physician's, he went up to 120.

m 62 and was just switched from Celexa to Prozac. But we can build up a tolerance to these types of medications and often switching to a new one is best. I haven't heard anything about there being a medication better for us older folks, but maybe someone can jump on here and enlighten both of us. Effexor is widely used with great success but it still comes back to what will work best for each of us individually. I wish you and your brother all the best.

But I was more afraid not to, with the way I have been feeling. I just pray I have no bad side effects. I think prozac and zoloft are the safest. So far (even though its only been 2 days) Im feeling better, just tired. Maybe its a subconscious thing, hoping to feel bettter soon . Thanks again all!!

Many people here in this forum are/or have been on a group of medications known as SSRIs (i.e. Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, etc) which are prescribed more long term. They can take about a month for one to actually feel the effects of the medication, but for me they have worked really well. There are also more immediate acting meds that most people here refer to as benzos (benzodiazepines) that are usually used on a short term, as needed basis (i.e, Xanax, Ativan, etc).

I have heard horror stories about coming off of paxil and zoloft which is why I opted for the prozac vs the others. I could have chosen celexa too. My other medication for my stomach is pretty pricey and that is not an option not to take so I figured I would start with the cheepest here. Also, I am more comfortable going with an older drug....I figure the kinks are worked out of it.

Not working again anaway!

Effexor (an SNRI as mentioned above) is also a tough one to get off, compared to other ADs. Lexapro, Zoloft, Celexa and Prozac are typically the easier tolerated ADs (again, everyone is different). I personally would recommend sticking with the SSRIs vs the SNRIs for anxiety, because due to the fact that their primary mechanism of action affects norepinephrine (aka adrenaline), they are quite activating, and can cause more anxiety.

gastritis and weight gain. I am presently on 20mg Prozac which is ok on my stomach but is ineffective with the depression and of course weight gain. I'm thinking of trying Zoloft. Does it bother your stomach. I've pretty much accepted the weight gain, but can't handle the stomach pain & depression. Ialso take 0.5mgof Ativan daily. Any advise?

I have lived with Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder for 23 years and have taken Prozac, Zoloft and Lexapro. Prozac makes me irritable, Zoloft made me sick and more anxious, and Lexapro made me too tired and took my libido away. I am 3 1/2 years sober from alcohol. Any suggestions on a medication that might help?

My friend went from years on Paxil to Zoloft with no problems. Depression & anxiety often re occur in our life. Some of us are just prone to it. You did nothing wrong switching meds/trying others. I took prozac in college and it worked like a charm. 15 yrs later I had another bout of anxiety and depression and tried it again and it did nothing sadly.

I had a follow up at that time to see my psychiatrist and he put me on zoloft 50mg for the first week and then to increase to 100mg after that. Today actually being the 6th of December I actually increased to 100mg and felt a heightened feeling of anxiety - he told me this could take some time. Now is this safe taking both celexa 40mg and zoloft 100mg together and could this give me an improvement towards my anxiety? Also how long does it take to see a difference now since I have increased?

Zoloft is considered a soft SSRI while Paxil is considered a potent SSRI. Zoloft is not linked with weight gain in the literature but everyone can react differently. Prozac is a good SSRI too with stimulating proprieties. Both drugs could have impact on your libido like most SSRIs. If I were you I would pick Zoloft and continue it with Wellbutrin (Wellbutrin is critical if you need your libido and energy like you said) like you doctor said, based on what you are seeking.

Newer antidepressants don’t have the same side effect. While Paxil and Zoloft do cause some weight gain, other SSRIs, like Prozac, Celexa and Lexapro, don’t. For Paxil and Zoloft, the weight gain can add up to five to 40 pounds a year. Some people do experience weight gain with Lexapro or Celexa, but most don’t. In this case, it is not a surprise to have idiosyncratic responses, since the chemical structure of all the SSRIs is so similar.

Prozac is a more stimulating antidepressant than Zoloft, as such it tends to not be as effective as Zoloft and other ssris for anxiety generally, but you may respond differently. If it works, it's a good one to be on, as it's the easiest to stop taking as it lasts a lot longer in the body and therefore gives the body time to adjust if you stop taking it. But nobody can tell you if you'll gain weight on it -- everyone is different, so only trying it will tell you that. Good luck.

My doctor put me on 20mg of prozac to take daily. I also have 0.5 mg of xanax that I take if I have an attack, I was wondering will xanax increase the possibility of developing seretionion syndrome?! Please help because I haven't started prozac yet because I'm scared of getting seretonion syndrome!

I have been given two different prescriptions an I'd like to see which one you would recommend... Prozac or zoloft??!! I have anxiety an I think it's to the point of trying meds.

I took Zoloft for a week. It was prescribed to ease off of Xanax that I had been on for 3 months for reaction, mild tremor that was thought to be anxiety from asthma inhaler and life "stress". On both of these meds ( Zoloft & Xanax) I had a terrible hypersensitivity reaction, then given Valium but made things worse. Burning, crawling skin sensations, brain zaps, panic, severe anxiety, hallucinations, heart racing etc...

Ive had great success with antidepressants...in the past I have been on Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, with Zoloft and Lexapro being the most effective for me. if the Prozac doesn't work for you (after giving it ample time, even possibly trying a higher dose), then,in my opinion, I would ask about Zoloft. It's one of the first line meds for treatment of panic attacks/panic disorder. Also, you can arm yourself with as much info as you can...

Prozac Backlash: Overcoming the Dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Other Antidepressants with Safe, Effective Alternatives - Joseph Glenmullen MD. The Antidepressant Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and "Addiction" - Joseph Glenmullen MD.

I have to interject, I was on Trazadone for 3 yrs, and it's done nothing for Depression. It's actually used most frequently for sleep disorders now like insomnia and mid sleep awakening. I've been on a dose that could stun a horse - and I was still and do still get depressed with that drug in my system. It's great for insomnia btw, because it's not a benzo and not as addicting, so withdrawals aren't as hard.

I recently developed anxiety and was prescribed Prozac (generic) and Klonopin (generic). The Klonopin has been given until the Prozac starts to work. I have taken this twice in 2 weeks and like eveyone on here do not like being on medication. Does anyone have experience with anxiety in the short term. Is this something that with treatment will subside over a few months and allow me to stop the medication? Also how long have people felt that Prozac takes to really be effective.

Well both Prozac and Zoloft take weeks to kick in fully. What was your side effect on Prozac?

Prozac vs zoloft medications

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