Fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression
 

What dose are you on/have you been on for depression? My GP says that it's only licensed for 20mg in depression but I really think that I need an increased dosage.

I was only on 20mg but I've heard of quite a few people being on higher doses.

Really? I've been on 80mg before, but weird.

Different doses affect people differently. I was asleep all the time on 40mg, but when I was awake I felt much better. On 60, I was able to be awake and feel better.

I really don't get why your doctor is saying that. It's clearly licensed to be taken at a higher dosage if need be.

Your GP may be unwilling to up your dosage because he doesn't feel qualified to do so. I know my GP was unwilling to switch meds for me even when what I was taking was having no effect. Now I see a psychiatrist and he changes and tinkers with meds much more (well that's what he specialises in I guess!). You could ask for a second opinion from another GP in the surgery. It may be that it is only licensed in the UK to that dosage or it may be that those are what the NICE guidelines say, but lots of meds are used off label or at higher/lower dosages than the info says.

Im on 40mg, and its ****. I'm more suicidal then anything. Spose it affects others differently.

I actually started taking it because of my bulimia. I started on 10mg, then 20mg, and I'm now at 30mg but I really don't think it's doing anything but making me manic.

I'm more than positive that you can get a higher dosage if need be. Perhaps seek a second opinion from another GP?

im on 40mg. makes me sleepy

As Heidi said, some GP's can't or won't mess with meds too much as they feel that it requires further knowledge (that a psychiatrist - a doctor who specialises in the mind) will. If that's the case, then they may refer you. But give the meds a shot at what they offer.

im on 40mg a day but sumtimes i take more than i should

40mg and yeah suicidal

I was on 20mg, but it just made everything much worse...

I am on 40mg a day, not really sure its doing anything helpful! They might have different laws in Scotland or like other people have said perhaps your doctor is not confident enough to prescribe more! xx

im on 20mg although i do often take more than that.

I used to be on 20mg/d but am now on 40mg/d. For depression the (new) highest licensed dose is 80mg/d.

Some GP's feel very risky about perscribing AD's to those who are under 25 due to su tendencies etc however when perscribed fluoxetine (and sometimes others) they wont raise the dosage of 20mg unless needed. The press around prozac causing increased su/ si behaviour might be why he's doing so?? Can you explain why you want it increased to him?
I know medication varies for different people in this age group but it really depends on the GP you get some are more happy to change meds regularly etc until they find one that works others however might be wary of psychological effects of fast withdrawal etc.. I am on 20mg prozac which is perscribed by a Psychiatrist. However when i was on anti-anxieties perscribed by my GP i was on 20 mg Diazapam and he definately would not increase dosage for these reasons. Maybe yours is doing similar?
I also agree with what heidi said when your GP might not feel professional enough to perscribe higher.

Yea i was on 20mg, but refused to take after a couple of months, wasnt doing anything for me, but i guess that was probably my own fault by not telling anyone. Either way, ive heard 20mg dosnt do a lot for most people, so don't worry. Personally i think it's just a docters 'safe ground' so at least then they can say theyve done something to help you,, I think you can only point out to someone that its not working, and see how it go's from there

X

I was on 60mg a day once but it didnt do anything for me.
xx

I can't remember what I was on. All I know is it made me almost kill myself so def not good for me!

I'm on 20 mg. hope you work it out, good luck:)

I started out on 20mg, them 40mg and now 60mg. Hard to say whether it is helping or not as I've been on them for 9 years and am now taking an anti psychotic and moodstabiliser as well. I am in Scotland if it makes any difference. It was my GP who described the fluoxetine and gradually increased it. The psychiatrist prescribed the other two and to be honest I do feel a lot better that I did 2 or 3 years agio but I still have a long way ti go. I usually am better in the summer months.