Effexor to Prozac

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i have been on venlafaxine XR for over 20 years for depression and anxiety. My doctor just switched me to fluoxetine about 6 days ago. I was instructed to do a direct switch by discontinuing venlafaxine one day and immediately start fluoxetine the next day. About 2 days later, I experienced stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and anxiety. It has only been one week since I did the direct switch and i am already so sick of feeling sick. Is this normal to have these symptoms? Recognizing that all bodies are different, is there an approximate time that this should pass? Also, just curious if I should have tapered off the venlafaxine while starting a low dose of fluoxetine to help suppress the withdrawal symptoms or would that have not made a difference or not been safe to take both at the same time? This feeling is awful!!

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  • Edited

    Hi im no doctor . I've been on fluoxetine for 8 weeks now it is common to get side effects when starting this medication. For 7 weeks my anxiety increased and i had bad insomnia. These past few days im feeling better and the side effects are subsiding. Its hard but you have to stick it out. A lot give up because the side effects can be intense. I used a small dose of diazepam occasionally to get me through. Its definitely worth it when the side effects subside and you start to feel better. If i can do it anyone can 😊

  • Posted

    Hi, my side effects started tapering down week 2 and I felt some real improvement in week 3. However, mine weren't as bad as yours. I did a direct switch also, from Cymbalta 30 mg to Fluoxetine 20 mg.

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