The antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine) targets serotonin functioning in the brain that is sometimes responsible for causing depression, panic, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Prozac is in a class of drugs known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, many of which can have serious withdrawal symptoms, particularly when the discontinuation is abrupt. It's important to reduce Prozac intake gradually under a doctor's care. The Institute for Traditional Medicine recommends a gradual withdrawal of Prozac at a 5 percent dosage decline per week.
Sleep Disturbances
A cold-turkey approach to stopping the Prozac use can seriously affect sleep. While some experience increased vivid and bizarre dreams, others experience insomnia. Many experience fatigue.
Mood Disturbances
Psychiatric mood disturbances can occur when Prozac is abruptly stopped. People can experience irritation, agitation and anxiety, depression-like symptoms that include dysphoria (intense feeling of sadness), crying spells and possibly suicidal thoughts or hypomania. Still others may find it difficult to concentrate or focus and have memory problems.
Neurologic Disturbances
Some people report dizziness, vertigo or light-headedness. Another neurological symptom that can occur is paresthesia, where one feels electric shock-like tingling.
Stomach Problems
It is not uncommon for those who rapidly decrease their Prozac intake to suffer gastrointestinal side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even abdominal cramps.
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