Suggest Remedy For Excessive Tiredness When On Prozac

Posted on Tue, 30 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 Answered on

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Still not doing well; I am 3 weeks taking Prozac and find I am very weak...I cannot get off the couch as I am so tired...this seems very unusual. Can you tell me what is happening?

Also, if I decide to reduce Prozac ... should I just stop or reduce by 5 mg per day by opening capsule and dividing same??

Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not advisable to split a capsule. Should decrease the frequency under the supervision of your treating psychiatrist.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thank you for the question.

If the tiredness and weakness did indeed start after starting Prozac, then we are justified in assuming that it is a side-effect of Prozac.

The beneficial effects of Prozac do take some time to manifest, and it may take 4 to 6 weeks after initiating the treatment.

If you think the dosage is more than you can tolerate, then it is best to decrease the frequency of taking the medicine instead of splitting the capsule.

You can never be sure of exactly how much you will be administering yourself after opening the capsule.

So, please consult your treating doctor and request him/her to make the dosage on alternate days. That should help you with the weakness.

Please do not reduce the dosage by yourself.

I hope that answers your query, please feel free to write back to me if you have any more doubts.

Wishing you good health.

Best regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D