Does Prozac cause tingling? (9 factors)
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
In this article, we will discuss whether Prozac causes tingling. Additionally, we will talk about the link between Prozac and tingling, factors contributing to tingling, withdrawal symptoms, and the management of withdrawal symptoms when stopping Prozac.
Does Prozac cause tingling?
Prozac may or may not cause tingling when used to treat depression. However, a few patients may rarely experience this tingling sensation while taking or stopping the medication. If Prozac is abruptly discontinued, it may cause a tingling sensation as a withdrawal symptom (1). Do not stop taking Prozac without informing your healthcare provider.
Whenever there is a need to discontinue Prozac or any other antidepressant, your doctor will gradually reduce it by tapering off the medication that belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of drugs.
SSRIs work by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain by blocking their reuptake in brain cells. Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, mood, appetite, and the body’s stress response (2).
Tingling is an abnormal sensation that is mostly felt in fingers, feet, legs, hands, or arms. Although tingling might be a withdrawal symptom of Prozac, there might be other underlying factors that can cause this sensory disturbance (3).
What is the link between Prozac and tingling?
Prozac, being an SSRI, is known to cause tingling and numbness upon withdrawal. However, a case study indicated that a patient taking Prozac experienced strange sensations and numbness in his face. When he stopped taking Prozac and switched to another medicine, these symptoms subsided and he felt better.
This study also indicated that patients felt sensory disturbances such as tingling or numbness when taking or stopping Prozac. These side effects may occur due to alterations in serotonin levels in the brain cells by SSRIs such as Prozac (4).
Another case study indicated that a patient with depression and anxiety also suffered from a tingling sensation in his tongue. This tingling sensation was found to be due to his mental health condition. When he was treated with Prozac, this tingling sensation went away, and his depression was resolved with this medication (5).
What other factors can contribute to tingling when taking Prozac?
Some other factors that can contribute to tingling while taking Prozac may include:
- Deficiency of vitamins
- Abnormal levels of electrolytes
- Use of certain medicines
- Nerve-related conditions
- Sitting or standing in the same position for a longer period
- Lack of blood supply to extremities (toes, fingers) (3)
What are the withdrawal symptoms of Prozac?
Withdrawal symptoms may begin within hours to days of reducing the dose of Prozac. Due to its long half-life, withdrawal symptoms may also result after 10 days of stopping Prozac.
The withdrawal symptoms associated with Prozac are generally mild and may subside after a few days of dose reduction and discontinuation, including:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Stomach disturbances
- Weight changes
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Tingling
- Vivid dreams
- Relapse of depression (6)
How to manage tingling related to Prozac?
Some patients may experience tingling as a side effect while taking Prozac and others as a withdrawal symptom. If Prozac or any other antidepressant is used for more than 6 weeks, they have the potential to cause withdrawal symptoms.
Prozac should be gradually reduced over a minimum period of 4 weeks. For tingling sensations, you must keep a healthy and active lifestyle including exercise to improve your blood circulation.
Improved blood circulation will help you cope with the tingling sensations that you may experience even after the gradual discontinuation of Prozac (7). You may use over-the-counter medicines to treat withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, and stomach disturbances.
Conclusion
According to my analysis, a tingling sensation while taking Prozac may occur, but it is rare. However, Prozac is commonly known for causing tingling on discontinuation. The withdrawal symptoms associated with Prozac are generally mild and may appear after a few days. Although, there is a risk of relapse of depression, therefore, your doctor will prescribe you another antidepressant to manage depression.
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References
1.-
Black K, Shea C, Dursun S, Kutcher S. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation syndrome: proposed diagnostic criteria. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2000 May;25(3):255-61. PMID: 10863885; PMCID: PMC1407715. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10863885/
2.-
Chu A, Wadhwa R. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. 2023 May 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32119293. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32119293/
3.-
Numbness and tingling-MedlinePlus [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [Review Date 4/29/2023]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003206.htm
4.-
Praharaj SK. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor induced sensory disturbances. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2004 Dec;58(6):673-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2004.02207.x. PMID: 15563365; PMCID: PMC1884649. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1884649/
5.-
Bhatia MS, Bhatia NK, Bhatia NK. Psychogenic Lingual Paresthesia. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 May;9(5):VD04-VD05. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/11916.5897. Epub 2015 May 1. PMID: 26155542; PMCID: PMC4484134. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4484134/
6.-
Keks N, Hope J, Keogh S. Switching and stopping antidepressants. Aust Prescr. 2016 Jun;39(3):76-83. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2016.039. Epub 2016 Jun 1. PMID: 27346915; PMCID: PMC4919171. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4919171/
7.-
Fava GA, Gatti A, Belaise C, Guidi J, Offidani E. Withdrawal Symptoms after Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Discontinuation: A Systematic Review. Psychother Psychosom. 2015;84(2):72-81. doi: 10.1159/000370338. Epub 2015 Feb 21. PMID: 25721705. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25721705/
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