Three years ago I was scared to try another AD for my depression/dysthimia after a failure and a horrible WD with Effexor/Venlafaxine, so I started with such a small dose of Fluoxetine that was 5 times lower than the smallest dose prescribed. Looks like this occasion led me to find a completely different mechanism of action of this drug that's only prominent at sub-SSRI doses.

The original post: Microdosing Prozac works instantly? Your thoughts?

Over the years I've received a dozen DMs from people wanting to know more about my experience and asking if it still worked for me. In this post I'll try my best to describe what I found out about microdosing Prozac on and off for 3 years.

Background/My Condition

I suffer from dysthymia which is a chronic form of mior depression, from time to time I get episodes of major depression which basically makes it double depression. Depression itself seems to be a secondary issue of my ADHD-PI and probably comes from multiple academic and career failures.I'm from Russia, so pursuing treatment for ADHD is pointless because it's almost non-existent as a diagnosis here. It's not recognized by the majority of doctors and even if you're diagnosed only Straterra, Phenibut and Piracetam can be prescribed. There is no single stimulant on the market and even Modafinil is Schedule 1. However, this post is not about ADHD.

Dosage

The effective dose range for me is 2-6 mg, around 4 being the sweetspot. Anything below that doesn't work, anything above seems to cancel out the positive effects I get from it, likely due to entering into SSRI's mechanism of action threshhold and SSRI's never worked for me at typical doses, usually only made it worse. I tried Prozac at therapeutic doses 20-40 mg but at that dose there are no benefits which I get from microdosing it, let alone side effects.

Subjective Effects

The effects I get from start to show up around 3 hours after taking it with a peak of 2-3 hours and around 5 hours of after-effects. This is the list of effects that I've experienced:

• Mood elevation - a general mood boost which is nothing like anything I can compare other than MDMA and Phenibut. It's somewhat similar in terms of its clean-headed nature, though of course by no means it's as powerful. Maybe like 15%.
• Cognitive stimulation - mentally stimulating likely because of alleviating brain fog, thoug

I'm 20, 350lb, 2m tall. I've had uncontrollable binging since my teens - I'm guessing now my caloric intake is somewhere between 4000 - 5500 kcal a day.

I don't know what else to try? Lysdexamphetamine was supposed to be the gold standard but even at 70mg it barely puts a dent in.

I've tried therapy for it already, and am still in therapy (have been for the past 4 years), I'm depressed, traumatized, got social anxiety as well.

Exercise would obviously help of set it, but it's a bit like scooping water outside a sinking ship without plugging the leak first. That's if I could even stick to exercises - not making excuses - but realistically speaking I know how this plays out.

Fasting is a no - didn't work. Neither is keto - never work - never had the self-control.

Any ideas on what else to do for binge eating?

I know there are like bigger problems, but what's worse than being depressed? Being depressed and fat.

The cruel irony is I'm 99% sure, even if I'm skinny my body dysmorphia will kick in and I'll still think I'm fat. But at least I won't be.

Currently taking 60mg methylphenidate, 1% Semax, Selank, Raloxefene for gynecomastia, calcuium and vitamin D.

Thanks!

Things are getting pretty bad for me with the PTSD thing. The MD gave me this drug in 10mg doses/day. I haven't taken them but like I said things have gotten pretty bad and I honestly don't know what to do. I have been drinking way more than I should and getting into more fights even when I have was trying to get help. Just last night I got yelled at by some baptists when I told them they were saying something in the bible out of context. I don't want to keep living like this.

Has anyone taken this? What are the side effects and did it help with your anxiety?

I feel like I’m gurning a bit which is weird.

EDIT: sorry guys!! I thought this subreddit was MEDICATION not meditation! My bad!!!

TLDR: Took about 300 ug of LSD while on 20 mg of Prozac, felt good for about an hour and a half, then woke up in the hospital undressed and disoriented 8 hours later. Be very careful with this combination! I also take buspirone, but this has never had an adverse reaction with substances for me - still, always be careful with whatever you take.

Me: Late 20s F, advanced mental health degree professional (not bragging, just for context), 8ish years on various prescribed psychotropic meds, 3 years of experience with MDMA and psychedelics, avid reagent tester.

Backstory: I have mental health issues, to put it bluntly, so I have been on various medications since 2014. I am also a doctorate holder in a mental health field (don't wanna be more specific but not a medical doctor) so I have a bit more knowledge about mental health, drugs, and interactions than most. The first time I ever tried any non-alcohol drug was weed when I was 20. When I became interested in the rave subculture in my mid 20s, I started to experiment with MDMA, LSD, cocaine, and eventually ketamine. This, of course, was after an ample of research because I am a mental health professional with OCD after all. I bought a full set of reagent tests before ever purchased anything on my own. My friends joked that I'm the "most responsible druggie" they know. The point? I am/was always responsible. I knew that SSRIs and MDMA don't work together and I knew that one might be able to trip on LSD while on SSRIs, but the effects would likely be diminished.

About a month ago, I ordered my first vial of LSD. I wanted to see if I could figure a dose that might allow me to still trip while on fluoxetine. I'd just started taking it this past fall with surprisingly good effects so I didn't want to stop just to trip (especially because the elimination half life is something like 25 days anyway). As I do whenever I am on new medication, I look up anecdotes and studies of experiences using various substances with it. I couldn't find anything beyond the typical information that it may be diminished, so I went ahead and tested it, then took 3 drops. According to my vial, the 3 drops is the equivalent to about 300 ug which is how much I'd take at a festival (2 tabs), so I felt comfortable starting here thinking that it would be a weak trip. I've tripped at home by myself a ton of times before anyway, so I'm safe, right?

I wasn't. Now, it could have been that the dose was more than I thought. Who knows? The po

ment to say fine lol

But I started 10mg of prozac aka fluoxetine 9 days ago . I know the REAL test will be when i get in day 25-34 of my cycle which is when it tends to get really bad but wow...I cant believe its day 22 and im not depressed and an anxious mess, and I can think pretty clearly and feel pretty normal (how i would during my non-pmdd week). Im kind of annoyed I didnt try this sooner because I was suffering for soo long (my doctor had to convince me) I tried two SSRI's before and they didnt work which turned me off from trying anything else for a few years.

Anyway, im amazed and I hope this isnt an honeymoon phase and it continues to work. But for anyone who hasnt tried prozac I would definitely give it a shot.

I made a summary of my interpretation of fluoxetine having both started it myself and researched it out of curiosity and scientific interest the past months. I will not cite any sources; take everything with a grain of salt and confirm it yourselves. I am not a scientist or MD. I hope it may help you.

Fluoxetine, commonly sold in the brand name Prozac, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhbitor (SSRI). SSRIs essentially increase the available serotonin in the brain. It is selective in the sense that it virtually only affects the serotonin neurotransmission, without much effect on other systems; however, in higher doses, it has been shown to also inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine.

Fluoxetine (and SSRIs in general) are commonly prescribed to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Some indications include Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Bulimia, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, etc. It is believed that these people have a chronic serotonin deficiency, and by taking the SSRI, the levels are restored to alleviate the symptoms and improve mood.

The most common dose is 20 mg. However, the European max dose is 60 mg, and the American max dose is 80 mg. It is unclear whether a higher dose benefits depression patients. Some studies have not demonstrated a dose-response relationship in depression, whereas some studies have shown it is beneficial to increase the dose in case a satisfactory response has not been achieved or has lowered after a time of use. The minimum effective dose for bulimia, however, is 60 mg. This affirms that fluoxetine has a potentially more potent effect on higher dosages. For OCD, higher doses are often indicated, with some doctors prescribing as much as 120 mg in severe cases.

Fluoxetine increases serotonin in the brain through two pathways. It inhibits the SERT transporter and downregules the 5HT1A receptors. The latter takes time, which explains why an effect is most often not reported until a few weeks into the treatment has passed. The SERT transporter, however, is inhibited from the very first time it is taken.

What mainly sets fluoxetine apart from other SSRIs is its long half-life. The active metabolite of fluoxetine can stay in the system for weeks after chronic treatment is stopped. This means that the medicine kind of “self-tapers” if you stop, thus reducing withdrawal symptoms. Fluoxetine is not considered a substance of abuse or addiction, though.

SSRIs are considered

Hey,

Just started fluoxetine last week. Been a while coming, had some initially good results with CBT/mindfulness, but recently been strugling more so spoke to GP and started SSRIs.

Only been a week so far, not really noticed anything yet - which I completely expect... Other than yawning my head off all weekend that is, which I guess may be a side effect!

What are your experiences with starting SSRIs? How long did you take to notice an effect? Good effect, bad effect, side effects etc?

I’m 36 and struggling with PMDD symptoms comorbid with bipolar I. There’s strong genetic history (both mom and gram have BP) and I’m currently using lithium as a mood stabilizer. I was recently prescribed 10mg Fluoxetine for before and up to my cycle to help with the PMDD symptoms, but I’m struggling in my decision to take the Fluoxetine since it is an SSRI and there is inherent risk of mania. Any personal experience would be really helpful. Thank you.

Has anyone experienced long term negative effects from Fluoxetine?

TLDR: our dog developed severe noise phobia around the time we tried Fluoxetine, and it never went away even after discontinuing the meds. Trying to figure out if it was possibly the cause.

I adopted a 1.5 yo border collie mix who had some fear and anxiety but was doing really well at home and loved hiking in the woods and trail running with me. She developed dog aggression around 6 months after adoption and attacked several dogs before we realized how severe her behavior change was. Worked with an R+ trainer for 6 months, saw no improvement (but we successfully manage the issue now by keeping her away from unfamiliar dogs). At recommendation of both trainer and our regular vet we started her on Fluoxetine (prozac). Within 2 weeks she developed such severe noise phobia that she can no longer walk or hike outside, she reacts to every noise as if it's thunder and gunfire. She had always been fearful of loud noises, but was able to take long hikes, walks, and trail runs happily before, now we can barely make it 1 block from home. She is happy in our house and yard (thank goodness) but I am heartbroken that I lost my hiking buddy.

We stuck with the Fluoxetine for 3.5 weeks but it was causing some lethargy and loss of appetite so the vet behaviorist recommended tapering for 1 week then discontinuing, which we did. The noise phobia has remained, with no improvement, for almost a year now. Two different vets (regular vet and vet behaviorist) have told me that it's not possible that the Fluoxetine caused this, as it is not a known side effect and even if it did cause it, it should have resolved when we discontinued the medication. We changed our regular vet recently and the new vet says "why of course the medication could have caused the increase in noise phobia", because it caused changes in her brain, and severe fear in particular can cause long term behavior change.

I'm curious if anyone else has experienced long term negative side effects from medication?

I have been taking Fluoxetine 20mg for 12 years. 4 months ago, I discontinued the medication cold turkey. I wanted to stop because I felt my situation was pretty stable. I suggested taper off but the psychiatrist told me that the dosage I’m taking is super low already and there’s no 10mg.

I first experienced headache and dizziness. I survived that. Then I got PE. It’s still bothering me. But over the past week, I experience anxiety and depression, switching from one to another from time to time. I also feel my cognitive ability is deteriorating - like not being able to concentrate and memorizing things. I don’t know if this is just part of the withdrawal symptoms or not. The psychiatrist did prescribe some Fluoxetine for me just in case.

Do I really have to take it for life? I really do not want to be dependent on the drugs. The psychiatrist seems not to be reliable either. He didn’t not brief me any potential withdrawal symptoms. I just feel super terrible and lonely.

Oh man, so much change recently. I had recently upped my dosage from 20 mg to 40 mg because I just didn't feel like it was working for me anymore. Man oh man has it helped a lot! But then I quit my full time job (good riddance) to persuit something low stress with better hours so I could focus more on myself and my mental health to be a better mom and wife. I should also mention I left a 40-50 hrs/wk work from home job for a 20 hrs/wk office assistant in person job. So I'm already dealing with adjusting after 2 years working from home. I CANNOT STOP DREAMING. Every single night I'm having super strange lucid dreams and I'm just exhausted. From self reflection I can see anxiety with my husband and my children and then just some really off the wall stuff I cannot even comprehend a meaning. This has been going on for about 3 weeks now. So I guess I just want to know if anyone else has experienced side effects like this before? Not sure if it's my meds, stress management, ect. Any tips for better sleep are welcome! Melatonin just isn't cutting it for me

One study shows that coadministration of Methylphenidate and Alprazolam can greatly exacerbate oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. Note, even the lowest dose of Alprazolam used would equate to approximately 60mg in an average male, which is ridiculously high (20x the max permitted dose) but it is still enough to cause some concern:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32413536/

Number 2, there are numerous studies which show that coadministration of Fluoxetine and Methylphenidate can produce 'cocaine-like' effects which could lead to detrimental effects later in life. Note again, the dose of Fluoxetine used would translate to approximately 60mg, which is treble the typical dose used. But nonetheless, it is yet again enough to cause some concern:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829342/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3423503/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3139175/

For issue number 1, I'm thinking of occasional use of over-the-counter anti inflammatory drugs Ibuprofen + Paracetamol, and some good quality antioxidant supplements like Coenzyme Q10, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, and Reduced Glutathione to mitigate any harmful effects as much as possible.

For issue number 2, I'm thinking of co-administration of 5-HT receptor antagonist drug Mirtazapine, possibly alongside Amisulpride (which blocks separate 5-HT receptors) to minimise the supposed 'cocaine like' effect of this mixture.

Maybe that's a bit extreme but it's saved me from a lot. Panic attacks, lack of concentration, loss of sex drive and shaking like a shitting dog!

Rewind to July/August time and panic attacks were creeping in slowly. I was having them and not realising what they were and it was horrible. It got to the point I couldn't leave the house without being sick and I stayed in bed for 5 days convincing myself I was dying. I was verging on a break down. I phoned the doctor who originally said "go out on walks take it slowly" like okay yeah but I can't even leave the house...

A week later another doctor prescribed me fluoxetine and propranolol. I was scared that I would have the 2 week dip and feel worse but I really didn't. Within a week I felt so much better.

Now 4 months later I feel like a new person. I've not had a panic attack, I enjoy things more and life is good.

To anyone who is struggling you are braver than you know! Mental health can creep up anytime. Keep doing you and check it on your love ones ❤

My 70lb dog is currently on 20mg daily, which the trainer says is pretty low. It's been about 5 weeks now and I can't really say whether or not it's made a difference. I called the vet about increasing the dose and she said they can't do more than 30mg. My trainer says her 70lb dog is on 60mg. The recommended dosing range for his weight is 15-60.

Just curious what other people are at.

I’m looking for advice/your experiences with this medication. I’ve been reluctant and constantly questioning the meds I’m already on but as I’ve been on them so long (lamactil/lamotrigine) I don’t even know what normal feelings are. Much appreciated

For disclaimer not planning to off myself. Just curious.

Hi all,

Slow tapering Paxil due to adverse effects, and having just a hell of a time getting down past 11.6

It seems no matter how slow i go i cant break that threshold.

Im switching to fluoxetine soon. Im wondering, is the taper easier? Sources i read say fluoxetine minimizes risk of withdrawal. Im wondering, even if i have withdrawal (probable), will it be easier than Paxil?

I dont mind some w/d symptoms. I just need them to be manageable and reasonable.

If so I might have to postpone starting the meds for a few weeks, cause I can't really get out of this.

I have a rescue GSD with anxiety. He’s male, neutered, 36kg, 3.5 years old. The vet has just prescribed him 60mg/day of fluoxetine (3x 20mg tablets). I just wanted to make sure that was a good dose to start him on, as it’s the same dose and medicine they gave him to get through the fireworks on NYE - since I know fluoxetine can take a while to have an effect I just assumed they would have given him a higher temporary dosage than they would for a daily dose. Any insight is appreciated, thank you!

Edit: this is not a vet behaviorist.

First 3 days felt abnormally good to me. Today I feel a little anxious. My appetite decreased a lot, I hope it won't come back any soon cause I need to lose some weight.

Hi! I’ve posted here previously but I just have a couple of questions.

Background: I’m a 27F, with anxiety, depression, and PMDD. Have been on Sertraline (50mg July – Oct; 100mg Oct – present), but my depression symptoms are worsening (fatigue, mood swings, thinking I’d be better off dead, I couldn’t hold down a 9-5 right now if I tried – I used to work long hours and get out and do things all the time), my PMDD is leading to really intrusive suicidal thoughts again, but my anxiety symptoms have eased up. My GAD7 is 13, PHQ9 is 19. When I started and when I increased my dose, Sertraline felt like it worked, right up until the two-month mark where I completely crashed both times. I’ve been through CBT, but I wasn’t really in the right headspace to be able to fully absorb it just yet. I’m also in the U.K.

My other health related problems right now are hair loss (not sure if I have psoriasis or sebhorreic dermatitis, but my scalp is scaly and kind of mulchy, and my hair grows back grey), sweat rashes due to how much I’m sweating on Sertraline, and slight weight gain since I’m not working out as much due to low motivation (I love hiking and yoga when I’m well enough).

Contacted the doctor today about changing medication. And they think Fluoxetine is the best drug for me to start (I’m decreasing to 50mg Sertraline for a week, then moving to 20mg Fluoxetine the week after).

I’m really hesitant to start this as my family do tend towards violence and paranoia, and this was one particular drug – as well as Trazodone – that made my mum a nightmare to be around. I am irritable at best, so this really has me worried; I expressed this to my doctor and they told me that it might be different for me. It’s not done anything to stop me worrying.

I do have some more questions, though.

• is this a really short time to taper off Sertraline? What can I expect?

• if I don’t do well with Fluoxetine, what are my options?

• will Fluoxetine exacerbate my anxiety symptoms?

• what are the benefits of Fluoxetine over Sertraline, other SSRIs, or even SNRIs?

• can Fluoxetine worsen suicidal thoughts compared to Sertraline?

• I’m booked in to get blood work done to rule out thyroid issues. If I do have any problems like that, will it affect my ability to donate blood? (I’m O- and want to donate as often as I can; my hemoglobin was perfect last time.)

• is there something else I might be missing?

Totally understand it all sounds a wee bit daft, but after seeing my mum have s

I've had a few mental health issues for a while, and the idea of medication has come up a few times but it's never felt like quite the right time to start. Things have got worse recently, and life is generally more stressful so I'm feeling worse and I decided it's time to try medication. I was aware that it can get worse before it gets better, and I was at a point where actually things are just going downhill and it's worth it. I spoke to a lovely doctor who suggested starting fluoxetine. I've just come home with the medication, and I'm terrified. I read through the data sheet, and it just sounds horrible. What if I get too tired and I can't drive (I have to drive for my job)? what if I get seratonin syndrome? What if I'm throwing up all the time? Or can't sleep at all? I really need to concentrate at work, and I really struggle to function when my sleep is disturbed to the extent that a lot of people seem to report. What about alcohol, what if I can never drink again? Or feel nauseous all the time? And then have worse effects if I decide to stop? I realise a lot of this may just be anxious me blowing things out of proportion, but I'm just so scared.

Hi all.

How serious/likely is the chance of serotonin syndrome in a dog on both of these medications together?

Dog is 68lb.

Tramadol 50mg BID.

Fluoxetine 40mg SID.

No clinical symptoms or concerns, just a general/hypothetical question.

Last week I was perscibed 15mg of Mirtazapine to be taken nightly by my general practitioner.

Today my psychiatrist wants me to start on 10mg of fluoxetine.

I am just curious about the safety of taking both or if I should start to take just one over the other.

Any input helps.

I'm only on my second day of taking Fluoxetine 20mg. Strangely enough, I feel much lighter and I woke up without having intrusive thoughts. Or maybe it is just a placebo effect?

After doing some research on a healthy and beneficial way to use SSRI, I found that fluoxetine in small doses was ideal, so I bought fluoxetine liquid version, and I use 3 drops a day, I'm on the third day and it's been very effective. positive for those who have a slight depression or anxiety, want a slight boost, it's great.

About the studies, they say that at small doses it had almost the same effect as using the usual dose, a small rate of difference, and it was found to increase BDNF in the brain.

Fluoxetine is known to increase dopamine too, so it's almost an atypical SSRI

Edit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/qhbj0y/low_dose_ssri_to_increase_bdnf_and_other/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11919662/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26519901/ https://www.nature.com/articles/1301571

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/psilocybin-therapy-may-work-as-well-as-common-antidepressant/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/in3wcv/prozac_fluoxetine_as_a_nootropic/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkTgyNpSXsY

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=fluoxetine+neurogenesis

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924977X14003289 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2670606/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16432684

https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/cno90h/microdosed_fluoxetine_is_potent_stuff/

I am seeing much positive info on microdosing fluoxetine. If you've tried it please share your experience.

TLDR: Took about 300 ug of LSD while on 20 mg of Prozac, felt good for about an hour and a half, then woke up in the hospital undressed and disoriented 8 hours later. Be very careful with this combination! I also take buspirone, but this has never had an adverse reaction with substances for me - still, always be careful with whatever you take.

Me: Late 20s F, advanced mental health degree professional (not bragging, just for context), 8ish years on various prescribed psychotropic meds, 3 years of experience with MDMA and psychedelics, avid reagent tester.

Backstory: I have mental health issues, to put it bluntly, so I have been on various medications since 2014. I am also a doctorate holder in a mental health field (don't wanna be more specific but not a medical doctor) so I have a bit more knowledge about mental health, drugs, and interactions than most. The first time I ever tried any non-alcohol drug was weed when I was 20. When I became interested in the rave subculture in my mid 20s, I started to experiment with MDMA, LSD, cocaine, and eventually ketamine. This, of course, was after an ample of research because I am a mental health professional with OCD after all. I bought a full set of reagent tests before ever purchased anything on my own. My friends joked that I'm the "most responsible druggie" they know. The point? I am/was always responsible. I knew that SSRIs and MDMA don't work together and I knew that one might be able to trip on LSD while on SSRIs, but the effects would likely be diminished.

About a month ago, I ordered my first vial of LSD. I wanted to see if I could figure a dose that might allow me to still trip while on fluoxetine. I'd just started taking it this past fall with surprisingly good effects so I didn't want to stop just to trip (especially because the elimination half life is something like 25 days anyway). As I do whenever I am on new medication, I look up anecdotes and studies of experiences using various substances with it. I couldn't find anything beyond the typical information that it may be diminished, so I went ahead and tested it, then took 3 drops. According to my vial, the 3 drops is the equivalent to about 300 ug which is how much I'd take at a festival (2 tabs), so I felt comfortable starting here thinking that it would be a weak trip. I've tripped at home by myself a ton of times before anyway, so I'm safe, right?

I wasn't. Now, it could have been that the dose was more than I thought. Who knows? The po

I (18M) take antidepressants and am also taking NyQuil to deal with a cold I have, but is it safe to take both?