Prozac (fluoxetine) is a typical antidepressant within the class of medicine generally known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicine work by altering ranges of the neurotransmitter serotonin within the mind to boost temper.

SSRIs like Prozac are the mostly prescribed antidepressants for treating main depressive dysfunction (MDD), panic dysfunction, obsessive-compulsive dysfunction (OCD), and a few others when prescribed. They’ve fewer uncomfortable side effects than different antidepressants, however they’re not appropriate for everybody. 

Individuals would possibly search for alternate options to Prozac for a wide range of causes. They could be involved about Prozac uncomfortable side effects, need a extra pure method to treating their signs, or the drug would possibly simply not work for them. Lately, curiosity in holistic psychological well being remedy has elevated as folks turn into extra prepared to discover pure treatments to deal with varied situations. 
When you’re keen on studying extra about Prozac alternate options, learn on. We’re masking what you should learn about various kinds of antidepressant medicine you possibly can attempt as an alternative and a few of the in style pure treatments accessible at this time. Upon getting all the data, you possibly can discuss to your physician and decide the most effective, simplest remedy plan in your wants and signs.

Different Medicines to Prozac

Just lately, extra folks have turn into keen on studying about drugs that may function a Prozac substitute. Happily, there are quite a few medicine accessible to contemplate.

1. Celexa (citalopram)

Celexa, or the generic identify citalopram, is one other antidepressant medicine within the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class that helps stability temper by rising serotonin ranges within the mind. Earlier than switching from Prozac to Celexa, you need to discuss to your physician about potential hostile results. Important results to pay attention to embody a hyperlink to coronary heart points and an elevated threat of interactions with different medicine.

• Circumstances Celexa can deal with: Celexa primarily treats main depressive dysfunction, however can also be used off-label to deal with nervousness and different situations.

• Widespread uncomfortable side effects of Celexa: Some widespread uncomfortable side effects folks might expertise are elevated sweating, headache, diarrhea, nausea, insomnia, and fatigue.

2. Cymbalta (duloxetine)

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is among the fundamental alternate options to Prozac for despair and nervousness. It additionally works by altering neurotransmitters linked to temper swings. Observe that Cymbalta is related to hypertension and liver issues if misused.

• Circumstances Cymbalta can deal with: FDA-approved makes use of of Cymbalta embody main depressive dysfunction, generalized nervousness dysfunction (GAD), fibromyalgia, power musculoskeletal ache, and diabetic neuropathic ache. It’s additionally used off-label to deal with stress urinary incontinence and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

• Widespread uncomfortable side effects of Cymbalta: Widespread Cymbalta uncomfortable side effects embody complications, problem sleeping, blurred imaginative and prescient, constipation or diarrhea, and dry mouth.

3. Lexapro (escitalopram)

Lexapro (escitalopram) is a well-liked various to Prozac. The drug works equally to the others listed right here, however it has fewer reported uncomfortable side effects that generally make it value contemplating above different alternate options. Curious how this medicine compares to Prozac? Try our comparability of Lexapro vs. Prozac.

• Circumstances Lexapro can deal with: Lexapro is used to deal with main depressive dysfunction and generalized nervousness dysfunction. It is usually used off-label to deal with some consuming problems, OCD, PTSD, panic dysfunction, and extra.
• Widespread uncomfortable side effects of Lexapro: Widespread Lexapro uncomfortable side effects embody dry mouth, nausea, bother sleeping, dizziness, and constipation.

4. Paxil (paroxetine)

Paxil can also be within the SSRI class of medicine. It impacts chemical ranges within the mind that is perhaps unbalanced in folks with nervousness, despair, and different psychological well being situations. Observe that in comparison with different SSRIs, Paxil has extra reported uncomfortable side effects. When you’re curious how the uncomfortable side effects examine to Prozac’s uncomfortable side effects, take a look at our information on Paxil vs. Prozac.

• Circumstances Paxil can deal with: Paxil is FDA-approved to deal with main depressive dysfunction, panic dysfunction, OCD, and a few nervousness problems, together with social nervousness dysfunction and generalized nervousness dysfunction (GAD). It’s additionally used to deal with post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD) and is used off-label for separation nervousness, physique dysmorphic dysfunction, OCD in kids, and extra. 

• Widespread uncomfortable side effects of Paxil: Uncomfortable side effects of Paxil embody sexual dysfunction, drowsiness, and weight acquire.

ALTERNATIVES TO PROZAC	USES	COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Celexa (citalopram)	Main depressive dysfunction	Headache Dry mouth  Nausea Restlessness Diarrhea Elevated sweating Drug interactions Nervousness Fatigue Problem sleeping (insomnia)  Sexual uncomfortable side effects Elevated threat of coronary heart points
Cymbalta (duloxetine)	Main depressive dysfunction Generalized nervousness dysfunction Ache brought on by diabetic neuropathy Persistent musculoskeletal ache Fibromyalgia	Lightheadedness  Lack of urge for food Nausea Dry mouth Tiredness Constipation Drowsiness Elevated sweating Dizziness
Lexapro (escitalopram)	Main depressive dysfunction Generalized nervousness dysfunction	Dry mouth Nausea Problem sleeping Confusion Diarrhea or constipation Headache Sexual dysfunction Dizziness or drowsiness
Paxil (paroxetine)	Melancholy Obsessive-compulsive dysfunction Generalized nervousness dysfunction Panic dysfunction Social nervousness dysfunction Publish-traumatic stress dysfunction Premenstrual dysphoric dysfunction	Dry mouth Blurred imaginative and prescient Sexual dysfunction Dizziness or drowsiness Constipation Sleepiness Lack of urge for food or upset abdomen Weight reduction

Pure Options to Prozac

When you’re in search of pure alternate options to Prozac for despair, nervousness, or one other situation, you’ve a number of choices to contemplate. Analysis suggests that some pure treatments and natural dietary supplements might be efficient for some folks. 

5. Holistic approaches 

• Train: Bodily exercise is a robust temper booster that releases endorphins, the physique’s pure feel-good chemical substances.

• Daylight and light-weight remedy: Analysis hyperlinks despair signs to low ranges of Vitamin D. Thus, common publicity to daylight can probably assist some folks with despair. When treating seasonal have an effect on dysfunction (SAD), gentle containers present synthetic gentle that will also be useful.

• Weight loss program: A wholesome and balanced weight-reduction plan wealthy in advanced carbohydrates, fruits, greens, complete grains, and legumes would possibly assist raise your temper naturally.

• Sleep: An everyday circadian rhythm and well-maintained sleep helps neurotransmitter ranges to remain optimum.

6. Pure dietary supplements

• St. John’s wort: St. John’s wort has been used for hundreds of years as an natural treatment recognized for its antidepressant properties. Whereas the proof isn’t conclusive, and extra analysis ought to be accomplished, some research present that St. John’s is perhaps an efficient method to deal with despair in some instances. 

• Omega-Three fatty acids: Extra analysis is important, however a meta-analysis of dozens of research discovered that 1000’s of members noticed useful results of Omega-3s on depressive signs. Extra analysis additionally suggests Omega-Three fatty acids is perhaps helpful as a non-pharmacological remedy for despair and different temper problems. 

• S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe): Analysis means that SAMe is perhaps useful for despair, though, like so many different pure or holistic dietary supplements, extra analysis is required. Greater than 40 research recommend that SAMe is perhaps efficient in treating depressive signs, however sadly, most of them are short-term research that solely lasted a few weeks. 

7. Remedy

Speak remedy (often known as psychotherapy) is confirmed to positively influence the end result of psychological well being remedy — in actual fact, as much as 75% of people that search remedy see advantages. 

“Remedy might be as efficient as Prozac in treating signs of despair and nervousness. If signs are gentle, sufferers usually tend to reply properly to remedy alone.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Dion Metzger, MD

Numerous research present that when remedy is mixed with medicine, the outcomes are superior to when both remedy is used alone. 

Talkspace is a safe on-line platform that provides handy, inexpensive entry to remedy. Whether or not you wish to mix remedy with different types of remedy otherwise you wish to use it as an alternative choice to Prozac for managing your psychological well being situation, Talkspace makes the method simpler than ever. 

Issues for Switching to a Prozac Different

When you’re in search of alternate options to Prozac for nervousness, despair, or some other situation, speaking to your physician about all of the implications of creating a swap is essential.

Each individual can react in another way to medicine and remedy plans. Monitoring how your physique responds if you happen to’ve lately switched drugs is crucial. Whereas recognized and customary uncomfortable side effects exist for each drug, that doesn’t imply everyone will expertise each aspect impact. Ensure to contact your physician when you’ve got any aspect impact that worsens or is regarding or sudden.

Speak to your physician about:

• Your present well being standing
• Different medicine and dietary supplements you’re taking
• Doable uncomfortable side effects of any new medicine you’re contemplating
• Efficacy of alternate options

“On account of its lengthy half-life, Prozac doesn’t should be diminished earlier than stopping. Even on the very best dose of 80 mg each day, you possibly can cease taking Prozac “chilly turkey,” and the metabolites of the medicine will work their means out of your system on their very own. It’s vital to know the danger of switching to a Prozac various is that different remedies is probably not as efficient as Prozac. This opens the door for signs of despair or nervousness to return inside weeks or months of switching.”

– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Dion Metzger, MD

Discover the Proper Different with Talkspace 

Discovering the correct remedy plan when trying to find Prozac alternate options might be an exhausting, daunting expertise — particularly if you happen to’re attempting to do it by yourself. Talkspace’s on-line psychiatry companies provide a handy, inexpensive, simply accessible method to get recommendation about medicine and remedy plans that fit your wants and signs. 

Our licensed psychological well being professionals can information you towards higher psychological well being. Whether or not Prozac isn’t working for you and also you wish to contemplate a brand new drug, otherwise you’re in search of pure alternate options to deal with your despair, we may also help.

Attain out to Talkspace at this time to be taught extra about alternate options to Prozac that is perhaps efficient for you.