I'm on prozac can I take reductil??

Question

I'm on 40mg of prozac a day and my nurse has just prescribed

reducil which I'm supposed to pick up at chemist on tuesday but says on here I cant take both at once?? she is montiering me every two weeks also my notes were not in her room at time but have not heard any word i'm not getting them?? please some one help

Answer 1

Prozac (fluoxetine) and Reductil (sibutramine) have a major drug-drug interaction.

Concomitant use of these agents may potentiate the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A receptors. It may not happen to everyone but caution is recommended.

In general, the concomitant use of multiple serotonergic agents should be avoided if possible. Close monitoring is recommended for signs and symptoms of excessive serotonergic activity such as CNS irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, pupillary dilation, hypertension, and tachycardia. Particular caution is advised when increasing the dosages of these agents. The potential risk of serotonin syndrome should be considered even when administering one serotonergic agent following discontinuation of another, as some agents may demonstrate a prolonged elimination half-life. For example, a 5-week washout period is recommended following use of fluoxetine before administering another serotonergic agent.

Answer 2

In a nutshell, no you should not take the 2 together. They are both SSRI's.

(Reducil is supposed to adjust your brain's chemicals in a such a way to make you feel full.)

Technically, if you take both together it could cause a SSRI overdose called serotonin syndrome.

You should not start the Reducil for 2 weeks after your last Prozac pill. Both medications alter your serotonin levels.

You should consult your psychiatrist before taking anything which is going to affect your brains delicate chemical balance.  For example: the SSRI qualities of the Reducil might not be as strong as your Prozac RX and therefore might not be a good substitute.  

If you have already gone through the depression medication getting it just right dance it would be a shame to throw yourself off balance now. It could be downright dangerous for your psychological well being, especially if you have a history of suicidal thoughts or severe depression.

I can't help but think the nurse has acted irresponsibly. SSRI's can be tricky and everyones psyche is different only a seasoned mental health professional should prescribe them especially to patients which a history of serotonin imbalance, which is what the medical community at large believes causes depression.

I have pasted some informational links below. I hope that helps.