Does Prozac induced tiredness wear off? (5+ ways to get rid of it)

In this blog post, we are going to talk about prozac induced tiredness and fatigue. Prozac is an antidepressant and is associated with a number of side effects including excessive tiredness. This blog will cover all you need to know if you suffer from this side effect. 

Does prozac induced tiredness wear off? 

Yes, prozac induced tiredness starts to wear off within a few weeks of your treatment. Some people may start to notice better energy levels within 2-3 weeks, while others may take longer than that. 

This effect is variable as people react differently when they are exposed to medications. Several research studies have indicated that prozac can induce tiredness, fatigue and drowsiness, as it is reported as one of the most common side effects. 

Make sure you inform your mental healthcare professional as soon as you start noticing unusual tiredness or drowsiness. Prozac, brand name for fluoxetine, belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 

It works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft (space between a neuron and its target cell). It increases the availability of serotonin in your brain. 

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical) released by our brain which is responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes.

Once the drug is inside your body, you can’t expect it to produce only one kind of effect. It not only acts on its target receptors, but also acts on other mediators as well.

These mediators are responsible for various physiological functions in our body. This action of medicines becomes the root cause of producing unwanted side effects. 

Is there any way to get rid of your tiredness? 

The only way to counteract this prozac induced tiredness is to boost up your energy levels. There are a few ways that can help you do that. These include:

Take your prozac at night

The first thing to make sure your antidepressant doesn’t make you tired during the day is to switch it to bedtime. Night time is the best time to take prozac if the drug makes you tired or sleepy as these side effects can really mess up your energy levels during the day. 

Make sure taking your med is the last thing you do. Do not engage in any other activity that might hinder your sleepiness. 

Make sure your sleep cycle is good

Sleep cycle is one of the most important things when it comes to increasing your energy levels during the day. Studies have found that the majority of the people with low energy levels or fatigue during the day are those who don’t sleep well at night. 

You’re supposed to sleep at least 7 to 9 hours, every night. When you don’t do that, your body craves rest. Several guidelines suggest following tips to make your sleep quality better than it is now. These include:

• Try to go to bed at the same time every day, working days as well as weekends. 
• Do not use electronic devices or gadgets before going to bed. They reduce your sleep quality. Make sure you remove such devices from your room or switch them off.
• Do not consume caffeine in the evening. The half life of caffeine is 2 to 12 hours, so make sure you do not consume it in the evening, as it might remain in your system till bedtime. 
• Do not consume high amounts of food or alcohol before bedtime. You don’t need to keep your digestive system working while you sleep.
• Stay active. Regular exercise releases tension from your muscles and makes you feel relaxed. Exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week.
• Avoid smoking. Nicotine is a stimulant. As long as it remains in your system, it keeps you awake.

Make an exercise regimen and avoid sedentarism

Staying active is the best way to fight against tiredness. Make sure you workout at least 3 to 4 times a week. Exercise releases happy chemicals in your brain. It not only makes you feel good, but also spikes your energy levels. 

Morning workout is considered most efficient in increasing your energy levels. Go for a walk or do 10 minutes of high intensity interval training (HITT). It not only helps you to overcome tiredness caused by zoloft, but it also makes your body healthy, like actually healthy. 

Some of the best exercises to increase energy levels include yoga, pilates, Tai Chi, and resistance strength training. 

Make sure you drink plenty of water 

Drink plenty of water. Water clears out toxins from your body. Several studies suggest that water can actually boost your energy levels and make you feel fresh. 

Try making a detox water by adding your favourite fruits in it. You can add lemon, cucumber, kiwi, oranges, berries, ginger etc, to make drinking water less boring. 

This will not only add taste, but also makes your water nutritious and full of antioxidants. 

Limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine 

Caffeine can affect your sleep by keeping you awake for a longer period of time and can compromise your alertness the next day. The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) recommends no more than 400 milligrams (about four or five cups of coffee) per day. 

In addition, caffeine’s half-life can range from 2-12 hours, so try to avoid drinking coffee or any other caffeinated beverage within six hours of bedtime.

Experts also indicate that people who suffer from prozac or any other medication induced tiredness, start drinking coffee more often when they feel tired during the day. 

This can really mess you up as the excessive coffee intake can make you anxious and may cause mood disturbance, which combined with prozac, can make you feel much worse. 

Alcohol, on the other hand, is well known for causing mind cloudiness. Several research studies suggest that alcohol should not be used with prozac or any other antidepressant, as a matter of fact. 

This can severely affect your mood and you might suffer from suicidal thoughts and abnormal behavior. 

Make sure you never skip breakfast 

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives you a head-start. Make sure you don’t skip it, as it provides you a lot of energy to start your day. 

Several studies have concluded that skipping your breakfast can make your day pretty dull by dropping your energy levels and it can also lead to weight gain, which is another reason why you should never skip your breakfast. 

It is best to eat high protein foods when you start your day. Proteins are the building blocks of your body. It’s necessary to incorporate them in your diet. A few sources include lentils, quinoa, chickpeas, eggs, peanut butter, cottage cheese, almonds, chia seeds, milk and beans etc. 

Try to keep your mind on the positive side

Studies suggest happiness and positivity increase energy levels naturally. When your brain absorbs positivity, it releases energy. 

So, always surround yourself with people who deal with you positively, people who are supportive and fill you up with optimism and people who make you look at the brighter side. 

Always have time for fun activities

Engage in activities which make you feel alive. For some people, it’s simply spending quality time with their friends and family. You can watch a funny movie, change your hairstyle, change your routine, have a weekend away, go hiking, etc. 

Do not pack yourself up with work and daily life activities. Always have some time to take everything off of your shoulders. Trust me, it’s worth it! 

What precautions are necessary during the day time when you suffer from prozac induced tiredness? 

There are a few necessary precautions to help you avoid any unwanted incident when you feel tired or drowsy because of your antidepressant. These precautions include:

• Avoid driving when your antidepressant makes you tired or dizzy. If you really need to be somewhere, let someone else do the driving or just call an uber. 
• If you’re an employee in some factory where you are supposed to operate heavy machinery, don’t! Your tiredness might cause an accident so be aware. 
• Make sure you’re not taking any other medication that might be contributing to your drowsiness.
• Do not drink alcohol, or you’ll end up dulling your senses even more. Alcohol itself is responsible for causing fatigue and drowsiness. It clouds your mind and messes up with your mental alertness.

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed prozac induced tiredness and fatigue. Prozac is an antidepressant and is associated with a number of side effects including excessive fatigue, but it starts to wear off within a few weeks of your treatment. 

Some people may start to notice better energy levels within 2-3 weeks, while others may take longer than that. Always talk to your healthcare provider about your side effects and make sure that the treatment with prozac is suitable for you in the long run.

FAQs: does prozac tiredness wear off 

Will Prozac tiredness go away?

Yes, prozac induced tiredness starts to wear off within a few weeks of your treatment. Some people may start to notice better energy levels within 2-3 weeks, while others may take longer than that.

What to do if Prozac makes you tired?

• Take your antidepressant at night time and do not engage in any other activity that might hinder your sleepiness. 
• Drink plenty of water. Water clears out toxins from your body. Several studies suggest that water can actually boost your energy levels and make you feel fresh. 
• Go for a walk or do some low intensity, easy-to-do workout. Do not stay inactive. 
• Eat something rich in protein which help increase your energy levels. 
• Limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine. Caffeine can affect your sleep by keeping you awake for a longer period of time and can compromise your alertness the next day.

Should I take Prozac at night if it makes me tired?

Yes, you should take prozac at night if it makes you tired, dizzy or drowsy. It is also recommended to take it at night if it causes nausea and loss of appetite. However, if your antidepressant causes loss of libido, insomnia or urinary problems then it is recommended to take it in the morning. 

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. 

Is Prozac stronger than Zoloft?

Both prozac and zoloft are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression and some other mental conditions. Both of these are strong drugs, but a few studies indicate that Zoloft might be safer than prozac in terms of side effects. 

How long does it take Prozac to get out of your system?

Prozac is a long acting antidepressant with a half life of about 4-6 days. It means that the concentration of the drug is reduced to half after this time period. The remaining amount is further reduced to half in the next 4-6 days. This process keeps on ongoing until the drug is completely washed out from your body. 

References 

• P Brambilla (2005) – Side-effect profile of fluoxetine in comparison with other SSRIs, tricyclic and newer antidepressants: a meta-analysis of clinical trial data https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15744630/ 
• Puetz T.W. · Flowers S.S. · O’Connor P.J. – A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training on Feelings of Energy and Fatigue in Sedentary Young Adults with Persistent Fatigue 

https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/116610

• Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
• Effects of caffeine on sleep quality and daytime functioning https://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-caffeine-on-sleep-quality-and-daytime-functioning-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-RMHP
• Physical activity https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm 
• Sleep and Sleep Disorders – Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html