Okay, another thing I'm contemplating is trying to take my Fluoxetine at night instead of the morning. I did this also when I was taking Cipralex (a.k.a. Lexapro/escitalopram) and it worked better for me, as if I'd take the Cipralex in the morning, I'd end up having to work my way through feeling sunken in below my eyes and really drowsy for a number of hours. So, I slept through those side effects when I took it at night. Bothersome side effects I'm still (after 4 weeks) having on the Fluoxetine: Lump in throat; feeling really cold after an hour of taking it for a few hours; aspirin taste in mouth that lasts most of the day; no appetite etc... When I first started taking it, I felt very drowsy and yawned a lot. So am thinking maybe I should give it a whirl and take it at night. Read differing opinions on this as well. Most sites say you should take it in the morning; a couple suggested taking it at night if you feel drowsy on it. It's strange, I feel both jittery & drowsy on it. Has anyone 'out there' ;-) taken Fluoxetine/Prozac at night instead of the morning; if so, why, and did that work better for you? Or anyone with an opinion/information about this particular question by all means feel free to share your insights -- very much appreciated!!! Annie B. (very curious as she wants to feel better as quickly as possible!!! )
Taking Fluoxetine (generic Prozac) at night instead of the morning?
Question posted by AnnieBHappy on 16 Feb 2013
Last updated on 6 July 2021
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40 Answers Page 3
This is my first time taking fluoxetine. Was wondering how good it with.
My doctor told me that if the med. made me sleepy during the day i could take it at night. I tried it one day in the morning and i was so tired and i can't be that way at my job due to i could get hurt. I started taking it at night and i haven't had a problem since but i do yawn a lot still. The only issue i do have with it is i am having migranines when i wake up ( i suffer from them anyway). I know i need to get adjusted to the meds but man it's a bad way to get adjusted.
I am on day three of Prozac and developed a lump feeling in my throat. I also felt jittery/nervous most of day two. I am reading and hearing so far that those side effects are normal at first and go away once the drug levels out and the body gets used to it. I hope so. I am taking this for decreased anxiety not more. The lump in the throat is weird. I take the pill at night and so far have been fine w/sleep. The jittery feeling happened in the afternoon about 20 hours after I took the second pill... anyone else experience this?
Jittery feeling was normal for me and being sleepy. Im on day 7. I slept extra hours at work because i was sleepy and fell a depressed feeling when i woke up.
HI Spollo
I'm on day 2 of Lovan and also have a dry mouth and feel a little jittery. My anxiety (which is why im taking it) doesn't feel any worst so that good. My Dr suggested taking my half tablet at night to help me sleep. So far so good. I did wake on the first night with tingles up my arms and my head racing but i feel ok now. I do notice that i can get dizzy and fuzzy 10 - 15 hours after i take it. Seems the initial side effects can hit at any time.
Hope this all fades in a couple of weeks.
All the best!
I’m on day 5 of Fluoxetine. Today I took it at 10am and I had a massive anxiety and jittery moment and had to turn my car around and go back home when I went to go to a friend. I’m not getting to sleep until 2.30am every night and waking every hr after. I’ve read lots about side effects. It was horrible today. Hope it subsides quickly
Im currently taking fluxotine im on day 5. Im switching to night time dosage because i feel so dizzy. Sleepy. I actually sleep for two hours extra at work. Is this a good decisions?
Re: Prozac or fluoxetine usage. I have taken Prozac or the generic off and on for several years. I am disabled for the past 18 years with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia. None of the doctors I see in S.Nevada are treating me for the above.
So I treat myself (as if a patient with a serious primary immune disease can do). I took Prozac twice a day while teaching, but in the end, I just collapsed after teaching with & without it for 7 1/2 years. It sometimes keeps me awake, so I quit taking it in the p.m., but have always had to take other sleep/anxiety meds to quiet the self-talk in my head. I'm going to try it again now at night. I'll report my reaction after not taking it in the a.m. or p.m. for many months.
is prozac/fluxetine the same tablet ?
Prozac is the brand name and fluxotine is the generic. I notice big differences between the two. Generic prozac puts me to sleep at night and brand hypes me up and I can't sleep at night.
Prozac is the brand name and fluxotine is the generic. I notice big differences between the two. Generic prozac puts me to sleep at night and brand hypes me up and I can't sleep at night.
I have been taking Fluoxetine at night for the exact same reason and it has helped a lot. I don't feel as tired anymore x I have been taking this medication for over a year now x
i have been taking lovan for about five months and I live in a cold climate. I have noticed now in the winter I do not feel the cold like I have done my whole life. Not sure if this is a side effect, if so it is a good one.Any ideas??
I would probably ask the doctor hun. however I don't feel the cold as much. in fact i'm usually hot especially at night. no matter what the weather is x
I'm sorry does anyone know of the hot sweaty feeling?! Possible sexual side effects any help
Hi my 16 yr old son takes it at night as it makes him tired. He's been on a full dose for about 10 days but he's getting more and more tired. Does this wear off?
Hi Annie. From all I've read, there doesn't appear to be a certain time of the day to take Fluoxetine/Prozac. Most say am. You really need to talk to your doc. Some say that Fluoxetine stays in your body so long that it doesn't make any diff regarding sleep. I'm not pleased with this answer because there's not enough info on line for me to give you a direct answer. I pray someone will be able to give you a more substantial answer. I want you to know I care.
God bless you with strength and direction.
Love,
Anna
As long as you're taking it at the same time every day, it really doesn't matter what time of day you take it. I tried Prozac years ago but started having an allergic reaction to it so I had to stop taking it. From there, I took Celexa, was on that for years until it quit working for me on the max dosage, then I was on Lexapro for years. I stopped taking that a couple years ago because I felt that I no longer needed it and haven't had a problem being off of it. I actually had the opposite problem, if I took it at bedtime, like it was first prescribed, it kept me awake all night, so I started taking it in the morning with my morning meds and I was fine, I didn't have a problem with it making me tired in the daytime (well, no more tired than my usual daytime tired self, lol). I always thought it was common for doctors to prescribe anti-depressants to be taken at bedtime because of how common the drowsy side effect it for people.
It's even rather common for anti-depressants to be prescribed as sleeping pills (which obviously would be pointless for me). That's how I was prescribed every anti-depressant I've been on, which were prescribed by different doctors, and that's how my sister was prescribed to take them. I don't ever recall anyone I know ever having them prescribed to be taken in the morning. But yeah, they really can be taken any time during the day, the time of day that would be best for you with your individual reaction to the drug and the best time of day it would be taken in regards to how you react to it. If it makes you drowsy, taking it at bedtime will likely improve your sleep, too, so added bonus there, as better sleep leads to better daytime wakefulness.
In regards to the yawning, that may be a tic from the Prozac. Every anti-depressant I've taken had "yawning" as a side effect, a yawning tic. I don't know if it goes away or lessens after time or you just stop noticing it. I recall it being super annoying at first and then either it lessened or I just stopped noticing it.
Hi. It was recommended by my doctor to take at night because of potential drowsiness.
The effect lasts 24 hours once it is built up into the system. That is why it takes time for full effect. The body slowly holds more and more until it is being used all day and night by the body. It is replacing chemicals your brain is not making enough.
Night and day do not make a difference except when first starting. At least that is what I was told. It has been my experience on any SSRI.
Thanks for your input Endless Pred! Think it's working better for me taking it at supper time..still the tossing and turning as before; but always get back to sleep. Thanks again, AnnieB.H.
Sounds good. I take mine a couple hours after dinner. :-)
It is not replacing chemicals your brain is not making enough of... It is blocking re-uptake at the synapse so that the negative feedback causes your brain to make more of the chemicals you need to feel better.
Hi hunny, first of all, i think you need to inform your doctor about your loss of appetite and feelings of hypothermia, just they are listed as side effects you should report. Yes you can take the Prozac at night but i think you may notice the positive effects more if taken in the morning. But sure, give it a try, no harm in it. Let me know how you get on? : )
Thanks Delila, so much for your supportive and informative posts! AnnieBH
Hi. I used to take lexapro at night because that worked best for me. When I was switched to fluoxetine I started out taking it in the morning but never felt like I was awake during the day- on the edge of falling asleep all day. I switched to taking it right before bedtime and it seems to help me get to sleep, stay asleep for most of the night, and wake up feeling less groggy. My pdoc said it could be taken morning or night.
Hi fisemicr... was wondering why you switched from lexapro to fluoxetine? How long were you taking lexapro? How long have you been taking fluoxetine? Did you notice any negative side effects from the fluoxetine? If so, how long did it take for the side effects to resolve? Are you still taking it and is it still working for you? Thanking you in advance for your input, Annie.B.H.
I took Lexapro for ten years but had problems with sleep apnea so I was switched. It took quite a few months for me to get used to fluoxetine. I felt shaky and groggy when I started on it. I've ben on it a year along with bupropion.
Overall the fluoxetine works better for me than Lexapro.
Thanks for your input fisemicr! When you state that it took you a few months to get used to the fluoxetine, did you have other side effects other than feeling shaky and groggy? It really seems to mess with my stomach, lump in throat, feel cold, no appetite, strange tightness in chest area... How are you doing now on it a year later? How much better would you say you are? Sorry for all the questions, but I really appreciate any input people share so I can figure things out med-wise.
Thanks again, AnnieB.H.
Hi. Not really any of the side effects you mention. I seem to sleep more lightly than before but overall sleep seems better. I'd say after a year it has been an improvement over Lexapro or not taking an SSRI. I'll probably stick with fluoxetine for a while.
Thanks again for your insights and for sharing your input fisemicr! A.B.H.
To AnnieBhappy - I started Prosac 4 months ago and had many symptoms you mention! I had a constant lump in my throat, sometimes unexplained sore throat, loss of appetite and felt cold lots of the time. I almost switched meds but emotionally was feeling so much better while working through lots of extra stress at work. I'm happy to report that all of these symptoms all but disappeared about 2 1/2 months after starting it and now feel even better!! Just wanted to offer some perspective, hope it helps.
fismicr: I've been prescribed flux & Buspro also and was wondering if you took both at night or just the flux? When I first started taking them both I felt fine but noticed that if I took my buspro more than once a day I had trouble sleeping at night... (My script says to take it up to 3x a day)... After a few months of taking both in the morning I realized I was very sleepy all day and I stopped taking them both, as I have 3 kids and I just cant afford to be that tired all day... even the buspro didnt 'wake me up'... Im debating on restarting them both but taking them at night in an effort to function normally throughout the day.. Thanks in advanced!
OMG AnnieBHappy i feel the same way too it also mess with my stomach, lump in throat, I dont feel cold, but totally lost my appetite, strange tightness in chest area sometimes feel like i am having a heartattack. Its weird. Has your symptoms resided? I have been on for about a month now.I am just tired of the side effects.
I don't know about buspar but I do take Bupropion (wellbutrin) beside Prozac. I have to take the Prozac at night because it makes me sleepy but I have to take
the Bupropion in the morning because it is energizing.
mstewart1002- I now see you mentioned buspro, not buspar. Hope all is going well for you.
Hi how are you feeling now. Is it still better at night. Thanks pauline.
Related topics
lexapro, prozac, escitalopram, fluoxetine, generic
Further information
- Lexapro uses and warnings
- Prozac uses and warnings
- Escitalopram uses and warnings
- Fluoxetine uses and warnings
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