Can Prozac cause a lump-in-throat feeling?

By OptimistMinds
Page last updated: 22/01/2024 | Next review date: 22/01/2026

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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.


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In this blog post, we will answer the question, “Can prozac cause a lump-in-throat feeling?”. Prozac is an antidepressant which is associated with a number of side effects. This blog is all about the lump-in-throat feeling. We will also discuss what ways can help get rid of this feeling. 

Can Prozac cause a lump-in-throat feeling? 

Prozac may cause a lump-in-throat feeling, but this side effect is very rare. Several studies have suggested that this might not be a direct side effect of prozac and it may be a result of the consistent irritation of your throat caused by the other side effects. 

Lump-in-throat feeling, often known as globus sensation, is a pretty disturbing feeling. When it becomes more pronounced, it can get disabling and you find it impossible to shake off the constant feeling of discomfort. 

Most people have described it as a foreign object stuck in their throat. Prozac induced lump-in-throat feeling may be due to one of the two side effects. One explanation relates to prozac induced acid reflux. 

As it causes an increase in your stomach acidity, that acid reflux can disturb your esophageal mucosa (protective lining surrounding your oesophagus) which can result in inflammation. 

This inflammation can make you feel like you have a lump in your throat. As long as the inflammation remains, you keep feeling that lump. 

Another side effect that may cause lump-in-throat feeling is prozac induced muscle tension or spasms. It might increase tension in muscles surrounding your oesophagus. 

The tensed muscle could feel like a lump in your throat. Acidity also has some role to play here. As we just discussed, acid reflux can cause inflammation, it could also be the reason for your muscle tension.

Is there anything that can help you with your lump-in-throat feeling? 

There are a few tips that might help in relieving some of that lump-in-throat like feeling. These include:

Keep your increased stomach acidity at bay 

Your acidity could be the main culprit behind this feeling and that’s why you have to follow a strict diet to keep your acidity at bay. Here are a few things you can do:

  • Don’t eat too much spice. 
  • Add prebiotics and probiotics in your diet.
  • Stay hydrated
  • Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grain.
  • Eat good fats
  • Walk a mile after dinner. It really enhances your digestion.

Over-the-counter pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications

If your globus sensation does not go away, your doctor may prescribe some medications to tone down the root cause. In case of acid reflux, you may have to take over-the-counter (OTC) antacids. 

If that doesn’t work or does not relieve your throat pain and swelling, then your doctor may prescribe some over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving agents. The most commonly used OTC meds for this purpose are Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). 

However, the concomitant use of NSAIDS and prozac may increase the risk of bleeding in some individuals.

Make sure you don’t start taking any medication, even OTC drugs, without your doctor’s approval. Your doctor may also suggest a throat relaxing spray to provide some relief and soothing sensation. 

Exercise 

Low intensity exercise, yoga and stretching can really help you relax those tensed muscles. Try stretching your neck. You can simply just sit on your bed. 

Keep your neck straight and start looking left, hold for a few seconds, then look right. Similarly, try moving your head upwards and downwards, holding for a few seconds on each position. 

Natural anti-inflammatory foods

You can try adding natural anti-inflammatory foods in your diet that could help relieve some of your lump-in-throat feeling. Foods that possess natural anti-inflammatory properties include:

  • Salmon
  • Cherries 
  • Blueberries 
  • Honey
  • Leafy green vegetables, including spinach, kale etc
  • Berries
  • Beans
  • Olive oil

Avoid foods that could contribute to your inflammation 

Just like nature has some foods that can significantly reduce your inflammation, similarly it has foods that can actually make it worse. Avoid the following foods if you have inflammation in your throat:

  • Red meat
  • Refined carbohydrates 
  • Deep fried foods, like french fries, nuggets etc. 
  • Trans fat
  • Foods having high sugar content 
  • Carbonated sodas

Additional side effects of prozac

Common side effects of prozac include:

  • Restlessness 
  • Anxiety 
  • Drowsiness 
  • Dizziness 
  • Skin rash
  • Muscular pain
  • Joint pain
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 
  • Tiredness 
  • Sweating 
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Loss of sexual desire 

Prozac is also associated with some serious side effects, which often require immediate medical attention. These include:

  • Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
  • Convulsions 
  • Dark grey-brown colored vomiting
  • Tarry or bloody stools
  • Eye problems including pain, swelling, redness, vision changes etc. 
  • Abnormal mood changes including, excitement following by sudden sadness, erratic behaviour, paranoia etc
  • Kidney function abnormalities, including severe pain, elevation of serum creatinine, difference in urine output and colour, blood urea nitrogen levels etc. 
  • Suicidal behavior 
  • Excessive muscle tremors 

When to see your doctor 

Side effects associated with prozac usually go away in 3 to 4 weeks. It varies from person to person. Some people may get better just after a week and some take months to recover from side effects. 

If your side effects persist, or you feel that your side effects are unusual, immediately report to your doctor. 

How can you protect yourself from side effects? 

You can protect yourself from additional side effects by following your treatment regimen properly. Make sure you do not take medicine in a way or at such a time that causes more harm than good. Do not change the dose or stop using prozac on your own. 

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you feel symptoms of serotonin syndrome, like chills, fever, nausea, diarrhoea, confusion etc. 

Do not stop Prozac abruptly. 

If it’s time for you to stop Prozac, your doctor will simply make a taper schedule for you, which should be followed vigilantly if you wish to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.

What health condition can cause a lump-in-throat feeling? 

Sometimes, your medication is accused of causing a side effect in you which could be a symptom of some underlying condition. Make sure you rule that out. 

Pharyngeal inflammation 

If you suffer from pharyngitis (inflammation of pharynx), sinusitis (inflammation of sinuses) and tonsillitis (inflammation of tonsils), you are most likely to suffer from this lump-in-throat feeling. Make sure you consult your ENT specialist to rule these out. 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a medical condition that causes your gastric acid to flow up towards your oesophagus. This could damage your esophageal lining and can cause inflammation. 

Stress/anxiety

Stress and anxiety are well known for causing unusual sensations and they could be a reason to make you feel this way. Make sure you consult your healthcare provider and check that zoloft is the best possible antidepressant for you. 

Malfunctioning of upper esophageal sphincter 

In simple words, the upper esophageal sphincter is a barrier between your oesophagus and pharynx. When this barrier malfunctions, it leaves an open door for acid to enter your throat. 

Tumors

Tumors are abnormal growth of cells. They could be benign or malignant (cancerous). The presence of a tumor can cause a lump-in-throat feeling. It actually is a lump in your throat. Make sure you rule that out. 

Thyroid disease 

If your thyroid gland is inflamed, because of the presence of some underlying thyroid disease, it can cause a lump-in-throat feeling. Usually, this condition involves other symptoms as well.

Make sure you monitor your symptoms efficiently and inform your doctor if you experience any unusual side effects. 

Conclusion

In this blog, we have discussed prozac induced lump-in-throat feeling. We discussed two possible theories to explain why prozac causes this kind of feeling. Acid reflux and muscle tension are believed to be the two culprits behind this hypothetical lump in your throat. 

Make sure you monitor your side effects accurately and discuss them with your healthcare professional. Normally, side effects go away in 3 to 4 weeks but if yours don’t, contact your doctor. You might need a lower dose. 

FAQs: prozac lump in throat

Can fluoxetine affect your throat?

Yes, fluoxetine may affect your throat and can cause throat tightening. It can increase muscle tension which can make you feel that way. 

Does fluoxetine cause swollen lymph nodes?

Fluoxetine may make your lymph nodes swollen, but not directly. This antidepressant is associated with a number of side effects which may have an effect on your lymph nodes. 

Prozac induced sore throat could cause inflammation of lymph nodes present in your neck. Prozac may cause an allergic reaction in certain individuals who can not tolerate this antidepressant well. This reaction can also include swelling of lymph nodes.

Is it better to take Prozac in the morning or at night?

It depends on what kinds of side effects you’re going through. 

  • If it causes insomnia, morning is preferred.
  • If it causes drowsiness, night time is preferred.
  • If it causes nausea, night time is preferred.
  • If it causes urinary problems, morning is preferred.
  • If it causes loss of libido, morning is preferred.
  • If it causes loss of appetite, bedtime is preferred. 

What does Prozac feel like when it starts working?

Prozac may start to make your physical symptoms associated with depression a little better. However, it can take up to 4 to 6 weeks to start making your psychological symptoms better. 

You may also experience a few side effects, which may start right after you take your first ever dose, but these side effects begin to subside within 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. 

What should I avoid while taking Prozac?

  • Monoaminoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The combination use can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. 
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). The combination use can increase the risk of bleeding. 
  • Pimozide. The concomitant use can increase the plasma concentration(availability of a drug in the blood) of pimozide to much higher levels. It can result in life-threatening arrhythmia.
  • Controlled substances, including all narcotic analgesics. The concomitant use can cause severe psychological side effects. 
  • Mood stabilisers 
  • Alcohol 

References 

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