Many people do not realize that while Prozac is a very effective medication that your body can become dependent on it, and when it is time to stop taking it you will go through Prozac withdrawal. This is not a side effect that is normally discussed when someone starts to take it and it is not until they or their doctors decide it is time for them to stop taking it or to switch to another medication that it becomes a problem.
Prozac is a SSRI and like most of the drugs in its class is used to treat depression, OCD, panic attacks and other types of disorders. People who take these drugs can basically be put into two different categories, those that will take it for a short time and then go on with their lives and those that may take it for a lifetime. Those that will take it for a lifetime will never have to deal with the effects of Prozac withdrawal provided that they are not moved to a different medication. This may occur if the person is experiencing adverse effects to the medication or more typically a new medication may come out that works better.
For those that may take Prozac for a short period time to deal with depression or anxiety will be the ones that may have to deal with Prozac withdrawal symptoms. Most typically withdrawal happens when a patient on their own decides to suddenly stop taking the Prozac without informing their doctor. This is generally a bad idea and the end result can be a wide array of symptoms that is unpleasant and may make you think that your depression is reoccurring.
Prozac withdrawal can include symptoms such as irritability, agitation, dizziness, burning sensation, anxiety, confusion, headache, insomnia and fatigue. It is easy for you to see how you may mistake Prozac withdrawal for the return of the symptoms that put you on the medication in the first place as well as the other way around. You may think these are symptoms with withdrawal when in fact what they really are is the depression or anxiety returning.
It is important that you check with your doctor before deciding to discontinue the medications he has prescribed you. He will let you know if he thinks that you are ready to be off medications, and will help you wean off of them so that prozac medication withdrawal is minimized or eliminated completely.