Question:
Has anyone heard that Prozac interacts with anesthesia?

I have heard that Prozac can interact with anesthesia? Should I reduce the amount I take (20mg per day) or stop taking it pre-surgery?    — Arlene K. (posted on April 17, 2003)

April 17, 2003
I don't know about the interaction with anasthesia, but I tapered down my Welbutrin (another anti-depressant) before because I knew I wouldn't be able to take it for awhile post-op. The thing my psychiatrist stressed to me was that most of the anti-depressants should be tapered off, not stopped abruptly. You might want to ask your doctor if he thinks that's necessary for Prozac and if so, how to do it.
   — garw

April 17, 2003
The psychiatrist I had my eval done with had me wean myself off of Prozac completely for that very reason before my WLS. He told me I could start it up again soon after the surgery. prozac can cause patients to develop life-threatening hyperthermia in response to inhaled anesthesia. Basically it is high fever and muscle rigidity. Not all drs believe this about prozac.
   — SARose61

April 17, 2003
Dont mess with your dose without PROFESSIONAL advice. Thats why they are there. My surgeon has lots of patients on prozac and our psych doc says its important to keep the levels up so people dont get depressed. Do see you surgeon and other docs before making this sort of change.
   — bob-haller

April 17, 2003
what did your doctor say??? Mine knew I was on Wellbrutrin (another anti-depressant) and didn't blink an eye? Call the doctor I am sure they have done lots of surgreies... if they don't have the answer ask them to refer you to an anesthsiaologist they would know for sure. THe only thing I did differently was get a new perscription for a smaller pill to take post-op. Good Luck to you
   — Peg L

April 18, 2003
You need to ask your surgeon to see what he wants. For me, my doctor had me take it right up to and including the morning of surgery.
   — joeandteri

April 21, 2003
I am on VERY high doses of Prozac (100 mg daily). I never skipped a day before surgery. My doctor told me to stay on the stuff, and they gave it to me in liquid form post-op as soon as I passed the leak test. So, I doubt prozac interferes with anaesthesia. But, ask your doctor, if you're nervous about it. (By the way, liquid Prozac tastes nasty. I switched back to gel caps around week 2 !
   — Kathy J.