Posted by Larry Hoover on May 29, 2006, at 9:34:34
In reply to Re: Low Dose Prozac with OCD » Larry Hoover, posted by saturn on May 28, 2006, at 21:55:53
> Hey Lar, I'm considering Prozac at 5 mg/day.
>
> May I ask if this is in the dose range you're talking about?Yes, right in around 5. The thing is, if you use a liquid form, i.e. a fluoxetine solution, you can precisely determine the dose, down to decimal points.
Even though the label on the pediatric solution might say 20 mg/5 mL, I betcha that you can assume that 20.0 mg is in each 5.0 mL. So, if you want to take 4.2 mg fluoxetine, you solve this equation:
X mL = (4.2 mg)(5.0 mL)/ 20.0 mg
X mL = 1.05 mLThe equation itself is derived by doing the cross-product on the ratios. 20.0 mg is to 5.0 mL as 4.2 mg is to X mL. The cross product gives (20 mg)(X mL) = (4.2 mg)(5.0 mL). Divide both sides by (20 mg), and you have isolated the variable you wish to determine the algebraic value for.
Ignoring the significant figures issue for a second, your challenge is in measuring out 1.05 mL exactly. You can calibrate an eye-dropper, and probably get very very close to that volume. Once you know how much drug is in one drop, you can change the dose by that increment. Moreover, if you get good at using an eyedropper, you can get very close to exactly half a drop. Even a quarter of a drop, if you learn how.
> Might low dose prozac take longer to reach a theapeutic effect than the normal 4-6 weeks, or possible have less potential for poopout?No, it would not take longer to reach therapeutic effect, if it is the right dose for that individual.
I believe there would be less potential for poopout, not more. Your body would not be escalating its detox mechanisms to get rid of the "toxin", if it was the right dose for you. At least, the detox mechanisms would be the minimum achievable for that drug.
> Lastly, is there a specific reason you 'believe in' the low-dose Prozac regimen? Ed mentioned that 5 mg worked in the intial clinical trials.
>
> Peace
> SatA low dose is perfect for some people, and a high dose is perfect for others. There is a threshold effect. If you're below the ideal dose, for your unique body, the only solution is to take more medication. For those people for whom 20 mg is not enough, the solution is to increase the dose. But, 20 mg is not the therapeutic dose, it is the *median* therapeutic dose. You have to realize that just as many people have a personal therapeutic dose that is less than 20, as there are people for whom it is more.
Half the population is on the low side of the bell curve.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:642053
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060525/msgs/650046.html