Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 9/3/2011

Question
Hi Jeanne, this is Mark Jekic again, a couple of weeks ago you answered some questions of mine, sorry to bug you. I have began a course of Prozac, or Lovan as we call it in Australia in regards to treating my Severe Generalized Anxiety and Panic Attacks.

I have a question about Prozac. I have been taking it for 1 week now, 10 mg per day, I tried 20 mg for the first 2 days, but it was too strong for me, I was extremely tired, drowsy and had constant headaches.

10 mg is perfect I find, I have basically no side effects, apart from feeling just a tad dizzy/uncoordinated, but I don't feel unwell in any way. I'm also experiencing very mild erection problems as a side effect, nothing to worry about, but I don't want to stay on the medication forever.

My question is this. How long would you usually have to stay on 10 mg Prozac per day to successfully treat an anxiety disorder? 6 weeks, 3 months? My doctor never gave me a time indication.

Thanks.

Mark Jekic.

Answer
Dear Mark,

It sounds as if prozac might not be the medication for you.  There are many new ones that can actually do a better job treating anxiety than does prozac.  The advantage with Prozac or Lovan is that it's cheap!  Talk to your doctor about trying something else.  10 mg. of prozac is almost nothing and you should not have any shaking or anything like that.

The answer to your question is that there is no answer -- it depends on the person.  You need to find a medication that you tolerate well and then stay on it for 3-6 months.  At that time, see a therapist about your anxiety.  Then maybe you can think about coming off of it.  One week is not nearly enough!

Warmly,
Jeannie