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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jessers11581 on April 19, 2006, at 7:18:49
Does anyone know if there are any benefits to combining Prozac with another antidepressant, such as 10-20 mg. Prozac in conjunction with 30 mg. Cymbalta? Would lower doses of both drugs protect against side effects while still providing some relief of symptoms? Just curious...
Also, please share your experiences with Prozac, because I'm switching over from Cymbalta, and I've never used this SSRI before.
Thanks!
Posted by minimal on April 19, 2006, at 10:25:06
In reply to prozac combos, posted by jessers11581 on April 19, 2006, at 7:18:49
Hello,
I am on day 6 of mixing 10 mgs of prozac with 75mgs of wellbutrin and so far, very good. I went from 5mgs of prozac a day and was very depressed and immobile to the current regimen and have no depression right now at all. I highly recommend this combo.
-Mini
Posted by bassman on April 19, 2006, at 12:32:58
In reply to prozac and wellbutrin, posted by minimal on April 19, 2006, at 10:25:06
Oh thank you! I've been trying 5 mg Prozac + 150 mg Wellbutrin and I'm not sure they are doing a lot, although supposedly 5 mg Prozac works for many people. It encourages me to try 10 mg Prozac and see if that helps...I took 50 mg of Paxil for three years and it worked wonderfully, but I'm trying to avoid side effects by starting low this time.
Posted by blueberry on April 19, 2006, at 15:39:42
In reply to prozac combos, posted by jessers11581 on April 19, 2006, at 7:18:49
As mentioned already, prozac and wellbutrin can be a good combo. Both are stimulating though. Could be too much stimulation for some folks.
Another good combo is prozac and zyprexa. It is well known for treatment resistant depression and is FDA approved for bipolar depression. The two together act in synergy to increase dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. The insomnia side effects of prozac are cancelled out the by zyprexa, and the sedating side effects of zyprexa are cancelled out during the day by the prozac. Prozac generally causes a slight loss of appetite and some weight loss, while zyprexa increase appetite and weight. The two together actually give a boost in cognitive function, due to the increased dopamine.
I was on 20mg prozac and 5mg zyprexa for 5 years and it worked fine, much better than the prozac alone. As a matter of fact, I didn't visit psychobabble for 5 full years because I was fine. I had zero depression, zero anxiety, good sleep, good everything. My only complaint was I was a bit flat, like ssri's do. In hindsight, I probably should have kept the prozac dose at 10mg. The risks of antipsychotics, such as movement disorders or diabetes, I think are rather small when the dose is kept low like I did.
Wishing I had never left it. Maybe will go back.
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2006, at 18:36:44
In reply to Re: prozac combos, posted by blueberry on April 19, 2006, at 15:39:42
My experience with prozac is limited. I took it when it first came out only in 20mg capsules. By day three even with xanax low dose I had to quit I was so panicky. In retrospect a low 5mg dose of prozac would have probably worked very well. I would still need a benzo long time user. But I say start slow and build up to avoid the anxiety or stimulation. It can be horrible. Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on April 19, 2006, at 20:53:38
In reply to prozac combos, posted by jessers11581 on April 19, 2006, at 7:18:49
Jessers, as Phillipa mentioned, start low. Mix the stuff in juice and take just a portion to start. Start-up anxiety can be fierce.
I mentioned wellbutrin or zyprexa. But you asked about cymbalta? Well, actually I have taken a little cymbalta on top of prozac, and it felt pretty good even on the first day. I think I needed that extra norepinephrine boost. I took a cymbalta capsule, dumped the beads inside it into a bowl, and took just 10 beads which is about 1mg. I thought the stuff was powerful.
Really though it might be a good idea to put ideas on the back burner until some time has passed and you see how things are shaping up with prozac.
Posted by tgo on April 20, 2006, at 15:08:56
In reply to Re: prozac combos, posted by blueberry on April 19, 2006, at 15:39:42
Blueberry, did you gain any weight on the prozac/ zyprexa combo? I take prozac, but it does not cause me to lose weight or affect my appetite at all.
> As mentioned already, prozac and wellbutrin can be a good combo. Both are stimulating though. Could be too much stimulation for some folks.
>
> Another good combo is prozac and zyprexa. It is well known for treatment resistant depression and is FDA approved for bipolar depression. The two together act in synergy to increase dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. The insomnia side effects of prozac are cancelled out the by zyprexa, and the sedating side effects of zyprexa are cancelled out during the day by the prozac. Prozac generally causes a slight loss of appetite and some weight loss, while zyprexa increase appetite and weight. The two together actually give a boost in cognitive function, due to the increased dopamine.
>
> I was on 20mg prozac and 5mg zyprexa for 5 years and it worked fine, much better than the prozac alone. As a matter of fact, I didn't visit psychobabble for 5 full years because I was fine. I had zero depression, zero anxiety, good sleep, good everything. My only complaint was I was a bit flat, like ssri's do. In hindsight, I probably should have kept the prozac dose at 10mg. The risks of antipsychotics, such as movement disorders or diabetes, I think are rather small when the dose is kept low like I did.
>
> Wishing I had never left it. Maybe will go back.
This is the end of the thread.
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