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Fluoxetine (prozac) and Marijuana


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I have been taking fluoxetine for a month or more now to help me deal with the worst parts of my depression. It hasn't been a constant extreme depression but full of ups and downs.

Last week I tried pot for the first time. I used it with some friends in a vaporizer and got high for an hour or so. I don't use pot regularly but will probably do it again in a few weeks.

I know it isn't ideal to mix the two substances but are there any real dangers of using it very very rarely?

I am on a 20mg dosage of prozac, which is as low as it goes.

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It-is-what-it-is.

I believe there is a potential issue there. You should talk to your doctor. Seriously they have heard it all.

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There are no dangerous interactions between Prozac (or any other SSRIs) and cannabis - it is safe in that regard.

 

Proceed with caution though, as cannabis use may adversely affect your mental health. Keep a close eye on this.

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  • 1 month later...

What Almond wrote...

 

There are no potential medicinal interactions there, so it's safe in that regard.

 

The biggest issue is, that its not exactly conductive to therapy, if you smoke everyday and you're high when you see your therapist/doctor.

 

Don't overdo it, and if possible wait until you're stable on your medication.

 

One thing to note: Fluoxetine can make you gain weight. Not good when combined with a drug like marijuana that affects your appetite.

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The thing I would be worried about more than anything else is that marijuana acts as both stimulant and depressant, since it alters the brain chemistry and depression is an imbalance in brain chemistry you could very well make your depression worse depending on your depression makeup

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There are no potential medicinal interactions there, so it's safe in that regard.

 

Marijuana Effectiveness, Safety, and Drug Interactions on RxList

 

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk with your health provider. Taking marijuana with fluoxetine (Prozac) might cause you to feel irritated, nervous, jittery, and excited. Doctors call this hypomania.

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Yes be cautious, and if possible wait till you're stable on your medication.

 

The hypomania you're mentioning is also a common side effect from Prozac itself.

 

In any case, there are things you should just completely steer clear off when you take Fluoxetine: Like grapefruit juice. And other SSRIs or MAOIs.

 

Marihuana? I'd just be cautious and watch out for any reactions. Some people can tolerate it, some can't.

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OP, can you identify the reason you chose to use marijuana for the first time? I ask because most of us have been exposed to it for years or decades; some use and some don't. How did it go for you? Or, are you saying you do use but this was the first since on Prozac?

 

Have you discussed your use and reactions with your therapist/psychologist and/or your prescribing doctor? A professional who knows your specific case would likely be the most qualified to provide guidance, since they're the most informed regarding your physical and psychological state.

 

How effective do you feel Prozac is in treating your depression?

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  • 3 weeks later...

Consult an herbalist and dietician. Found the best results going that method for mental/emotional concerns that needed attention.

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I'm just gonna throw out there that if you go to do it again, and its not a vaporizer, its going to feel different. The different methods of smoking all have slightly different effects, with some being stronger than others. Like blunts for example. Vaping is an extremely different, higher amount of lazyness inducing method.

 

Trust me I'm a doctor.

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ConstantVoyager

The biggest risk is if your diagnosis isn't accurate. It often takes psychiatrists a while to nail down a correct diagnosis.

 

If you are actually bipolar rather than unipolar depressive, marijuana is an issue because it can trigger psychotic mania in people who are bipolar.

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skydiveaddict
I have been taking fluoxetine for a month or more now to help me deal with the worst parts of my depression. It hasn't been a constant extreme depression but full of ups and downs.

Last week I tried pot for the first time.

 

I probably would not mix the two unless your doc says it's cool

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AShogunNamedMarcus

There aren't health risks mixing the two, but you need to be aware of your state of mind. If you are feeling anxious, slow down. The prozac does more damage than cannabis, and I've been on both for many years. I'm always up front with doctors, sometimes they are even interested in the positive effects.

 

If it enhances your life, then enjoy it. If it becomes more trouble than it's worth, take a break and re-evaluate.

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