My pdoc has had me on Paxil for the past 2 years. She has upped my dose until I now take 40mg 2x daily. I really don't feel it's working at all. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Prozac? Is it any different than Paxil? I want to talk to my doctor about this but I am worried.
Or is there another med out there that works like these but is safer to take? I have an appointment with her on Friday and I want to be informed when I talk to her. Thanks
It is hard to say which ones are better than others as each of us react so differently to each one. So it might be impossible to say. You should know that there are 3 different types. I believe that Paxil and Prozac are in the same group, which are SSRIs and that they are newer and generally have less side effects than the old tricyclics do. Examples of tricyclics are Elavil and Desipramine. Then there is this third category (and I forget the name--NNRIs or something like that) and they are new as well. Examples are welbutrin and Effexor.
I do know that effexor works well for both anxiety and depression. However a percentage of people who take it (and not a small percentage either) have major withdrawal symptoms when they try to go off it or even if they are a little late in taking it. Some people have found that this also occurs with other meds like cymbalta.
There are two that are somewhat less safe. They are Lithium (which can damage your kidneys) and Lamactil or Lamotragine (or something like that) that in some people causes a life threatening rash.
You need to know that most of us just start trying a med to see if it works. If it doesn't it is on to a new one. If it helps a bit but there is room for improvement sometimes you keep the first one and add another. Then there are mood stabilizers that are effectively anti-psychotics like Zyprexa and Remeron. They can be a good 'added' drug.
Thanks for the great information. I am thinking about asking her about Wellbutrin. I have heard others say it works pretty well and my brother took it for depression and quitting smoking and he said it really helped him.
Paxil vs Prozac
Posted - 08/12/2006 : 10:27:33
