Posted by Sunnely on June 3, 2002, at 22:02:35
In reply to Prozac weekly, posted by deli on June 1, 2002, at 11:32:57
I will surmise that the reason why you relapsed with Prozac Weekly was due to inadequate conversion from the regular Prozac (fluoxetine).
Prozac Weekly is a 90-mg capsule, enteric-coated pellets. These pellets do not dissolve in the stomach. This delays the absorption in the body for 1-2 hours. They actually dissolve later in the digestive system, which reduces the chance of gastric discomfort. Other than Prozac Weekly being gentler to the stomach, but more expensive than regular Prozac or generic Prozac, the pharmacokinetics (pharmacological properties), side effects, and drug-drug interactions of both drugs are exactly the same. (Note: "Prozac Weekly" is an example of the marketing ploys drug companies employ when their blockbuster drugs' patents expire. This holds true with nonpsychotropic drugs as well [e.g., Claritin vs. Clarinex]. If you are doing well and tolerating the regular Prozac or its generic counterpart, and you don't mind taking it on a daily basis, there is no reason to switch to Prozac Weekly!!!)
FYI, the conversion from regular daily Prozac to Prozac Weekly is as follows:
10 mg daily Prozac = 90 mg/week (1 capsule weekly)
20 mg daily Prozac = 180 mg/week (2 capsules weekly)
40 mg daily Prozac = 270 mg/week (3 capsules weekly)
60 mg daily Prozac = 360 mg/week (4 capsules weekly)
80 mg daily Prozac = 540 mg/week (6 capsules weekly)
I will assume that you were taking (and stable on) 40 mg daily of regular Prozac prior to the switch to Prozac Weekly. Based on the above conversion, you should have been switched to 3 capsules of Prozac Weekly. Also, there is no need to wait for 1 week after the last day of regular daily Prozac dose before switching to Prozac Weekly.
>
> Has anyone been on Prozac weekly and had it poop out on them. I was doing so well and after switching to Prozac weekly I went into relapse. What is worst is I dont remember how I coped in the previous episode. Now I am back to Prozac 40mg and Remeron 30mg. I know it takes a while but I have been on them 21/2 weeks and still feel bad or possibly a little better. The mornings are the worst I wake up so scared and end up crying but as the day progresses I sum up courage and try to continue my routine as normal as possible even though the beast is hovering over me. Does any one have this happen mornings being worst and evenings a little better? If so what do you do to cope?
> Thank you for being in this group. My husband thinks I log in to much but honestly is the only thing that attracts my attention and some how helps me feel some relief.
> Hugss
> Deli
poster:Sunnely
thread:108297
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020602/msgs/108584.html