Published Withdrawal Studies

[Light]

Elisa sounds like a good idea. For now, I'll put the refs here per Laurie's suggestion.

(emoticons below are not mine just due to preexisiting parentheses)

M.W. Agelink, A Zitselsberger, E. Kleiser, Withdrawal symptoms after discontinuation of Venlafaxine (letter), Am. J. Psychiatry, 154, 10, October 1997, 1473-1474.

G.W. Amsden, F. Georgian, Orthostatic hypotension induced by sertraline withdrawal, Pharmacotherapy, 1996, 16, 4, 684-686.

D.K. Arya, Withdrawal after discontinuation of paroxetine (letter), Aust NZ J Psychiatry, October 1996, 30 (5), 702

Bakker, Severe withdrawal symptoms with fever upon stopping paroxetine (letter, in Dutch), Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 28 August 1999, 143(35), 1795, discussion 1795-6.

L.C. Barr, W.K. Goodman, L.H. Price, Physical symptoms associated with paroxetine discontinuation (letter). Am J Psychiatry 1994 Feb, 151 (2), 289.

L. Belloeuf, C. Le Jeunne, F.C. Hugues, Paroxetine withdrawal syndrome [Article in French], Ann Med Interne (Paris) 2000 Apr;151 Suppl A:A52-3.

C.S. Berlin, Fluoxetine withdrawal symptoms. J Clin Psychiatry 1996 Feb, 57 (2), 93-4.

S. Bhuamik, H.J. Wildgust, Treatment outcomes including withdrawal phenomena with fluoxetine and paroxetine in patients with learning disabilities suffering from affective disorders (Letter), Human Psychopharmacology, 1996, 11, 337-338.

K, Black, C. Shea, S. Dursun, S Kutcher, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation syndrome: proposed diagnostic criteria, J Psychiatry Neuroscience, 2000, 25(3), 255-261.

M. Bloch, S.V. Stager, A.R. Braun, D.R. Rubinow, Severe psychiatric symptoms associated with paroxetine withdrawal. Lancet 1995 Jul 1, 346 (8966), 57.

F. Bogetto, S. Bellino, R.B. Revello, L. Patria: Discontinuation syndrome in dysthymic patients with SSRIs: a clinical investigation, CNS Drugs, 2002, 16, 4, 273-283

I.W. Boyd, Venlafaxine withdrawal reactions, Med. J. Aust., 1998, July 20, 169(2), 91-92

Bryois, C Rubin, J.D.Zbinden, P. Baumann [Withdrawal syndrome caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: apropos of a case]. In German. Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax, 4 March 1998, 87:10, 345-348.

Dystonia and withdrawal symptoms with paroxetine (Seroxat). Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance 1993, February, 19, 1.

N.J. Coupland, C.J. Bell, Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Withdrawal, J. Clin. Psychopharmacol., 1996, 16, 3, 356-362

M.L. Dahl, E. Olhager, J. Ahlner, Paroxetine withdrawal syndrome in a neonate (letter), Br J Psychiatry, 1997, Oct, 171, 391-2.

A. Dallal, G. Chouinard: Withdrawal and rebound symptoms associated with abrubt discontinuation of venlafaxine (letter), J Clin Psychopharmacol, 1998, August, 18:4, 343-344.

C. Debattista, A.F. Schatzberg, Physical symptoms associated with paroxetine withdrawal (letter). Am J Psychiatry 1995 Aug, 152 (8), 1235-4.

R.S. Diler, L. Tamam, A. Avci: Withdrawal symptoms associated with paroxetine discontinuation in a nine-year-old boy. : J Clin Psychopharmacol 2000 Oct; 20(5):586-7

R.S. Diler, A. Avci, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Discontinuation Syndrome in Children: six case reports, Current Therapeutic Research, 2002 March, 63(2), 188-197.

S. C. Dilsaver, J.F. Greden, Antidepressant withdrawal phenomena, Biological Psychiatry, 1984, 19, 2, 237-256.

S. C. Dilsaver, Antidepressant withdrawal syndromes: phenomenology and pathophysiology, Acta Psychiatr. Scand., 1989, 79, 113-117.

Withdrawal phenomena associated with antidepressant and antipsychotic agents, Drug Safety, 1994, 10 (2), 103-114.

R.A. Dominguez, P.J. Goodnick, Adverse events after the abrupt discontinuation of paroxetine. Pharmacotherapy, 1995 Nov-Dec, 15 (6), 778-80.

J. Donoghue, P. Haddad: Pharmacists lack knowledge of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms [letter], J Clin Psychiatry 1999 Feb, 60:2, 124-5.

-Problems when withdrawing antidepressives, Drug & Ther. Bull., 1986, 21 April, 24, 29-30.

A Einarson, P Selby, G. Koren, Abrupt discontinuation of psychotropic drugs drug pregnancy: fear of teratogenic risk and impact of counselling, J. Psychiatry Neurosci 2001 January, 26(1), 44-48

M. Fagan, Withdrawal syndrome after the use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (in Norwegian] Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2000 Mar 20; 120(8):913-4.

A. Farah, T.E. Lauer, Possible venlafaxine withdrawal syndrome. Am J Psychiatry 1996 Apr, 153 (4), 576.

G.A. Fava, S. Grandi, Withdrawal syndromes after paroxetine and sertraline discontinuation (letter). J Clin Psychopharmacol 1995 Oct, 15 (5), 374-5

Favaro, S. Friederici, P. Santonastaso, Predictors of Sertraline Discontinuation Syndrome in Anorexia Nervosa, J Clin Psychopharmacol, 21(5), 2001 October, 533-535


O. Gerola et al., Antidepressant therapy in pregnancy: a review from the literature and report of a suspected paroxetine withdrawal syndrome in a newborn. Rivista Italiana di Pediatria, 1999, 25, 216-218

W.J. Giakas, J.M. Davis, Intractable withdrawal from venlafaxine treated with fluoxetine, Psychiatric Annals, February 1997, 27 (2), 85-86 and 92.

T.R. Goldstein, M.A. Frye, K.D. Denikoff, E. Smith-Jackson, G.S. Leverich, A.L. Bryan, S.O. Ali, R. M. Post: Antidepress and discontinuation-related manaia: critical prospective observation and theoretical implications in bipolar disorder, J. Clin Psychiatry, August 1999, 60(8), 563-567.

P. Haddad, M Lejoyeux, A Young, Antidepressant discontinuation reactions Are preventable and simple to treat, Brit Med J, 11 April 1998, 316, 1105-1106.

P. Haddad, Antidepressant discontinuation syndromes, Drug Safety, 2001, 24(3), 183-197.

P. Haddad, The SSRI discontinuation syndrome, J. Psychopharmacology, 1998, 12(3), 305-313.
Hindmarch, S. Kimber, S.M. Cockle: Abrupt and brief discontinuation of antidepressant treatment: effects on cognitive function and psychomotor performance, Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2000 Nov;15(6):305-18

S. Hirose, Restlessness related to SSRI withdrawal, Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 2001, 55, 79-80

Ibister GK, Dawson A, Whyte IM, Prior FH, Clancy C, Smith AJ, Neonatal paroxetine withdrawal syndrome or actually serotonin syndrome? Arch Dis Child Fetal Ed, 2001, Sept, 85(2), F147-148

H. Johnson, W.P. Bouman, J. Lawton, Withdrawal reaction associated with venlafaxine, Brit. Med. J., 19 September 1998, 317, 787.

R. Judge, M.G. Parry, D. Quail, J.G. Jacobson, Discontinuation symptoms: comparison of brief interruption in fluoxetine and paroxetine treatment (sponsored by Eli Lilly), Int Clin Psychopharmacol, 2002, 17, 217-225.

Kasantikul, Reversible delirium after discontinuation of fluoxetine. J Med Assoc Thai 1995 Jan, 78 (1),.

N.J. Keuthen, P. Cyr, J.A. Ricciardi, et al,. Medication withdrawal symptoms in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients treated with paroxetine. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1994 Jun, 14 (3), 206-7.

M. Kotlyar, M. Golding, E.R. Brewer, S.W. Carson, Possible Nefazodone withdrawal syndrome (letter), Am J. Psychiatry, July 1999, 156(7), 1117.

P. Landry, L. Roy, Withdrawal hypomania associated with paroxetine, J. Clin. Psychopharmacol, 17, 1, February 1997, 60-61

R.M. Lane, Withdrawal symptoms after discontinuation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, J. Serotonin Res., 1996, 3, 75-83.

C. Lauber: Nefazodone withdrawal symptoms, Can J Psychiatry, April 1999, 44(3), 285-286. Letter.

A.L. Lazowick, G.M. Levin, Potential withdrawal syndrome associated with SSRI discontinuation. Ann Pharmacother 1995 Dec, 29 (12), 1284-85.

F.L. Leiter, S.A. Nierenberg, K.M. Sanders, T.A. Stern, Discontinuation reactions following sertraline. Biol Psychiatry 1995 Nov 15, 38 (10), 694-5.

M. Lejoyeux, J. Ades, I. Mourad, J. Solomon and Steven Dilsaver, Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome - Recognition, Prevention and Management, CNS Drugs, 1996, April; 5, 4, 278-292

A.K. Louie, R.A. Lannon, L. J. Ajari, Withdrawal reaction after sertraline discontinuation (letter). Am J Psychiatry 1994 Mar, 151 (3), 450-1.

A.K. Louie, R.A. Lannon, M.A. Kirsch, T.B. Lewis, Venlafaxine withdrawal reactions (letter). Am J Psychiatry 1996 Dec, 153 (12), 1652.

C. Luckhaus, C. Jacob, Venlafaxine withdrawal syndrome not prevented by maprotiline, but resolved by sertraline (letter), Int J Neuropsychopharmacology, 2001, 4, 43-44.

C. Luckhaus, W.E. Müller, (in German) Withdrawal symptoms after prolonged intake of specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Psychopharmacotherapie, 2000, 7, 57-62


R. Macbeth, M. Rajagopalan, Venlafaxine withdrawal syndrome, Aust NZ J Med, 1998, 28, 218.

L. Macdonald: Discontinuation symptoms and SSRIs, CMAJ, 1998, Oct 6, 159(7), 846-847, and (in French) 850-852.

R. Mahendran, A. Chan, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Discontinuation Symptoms, Ann. Acad. Med. Singapore, 1999, July, 28, 596-599

S.M. Maixner, J.F. Greden: Extended antidepressant maintenance and discontinuation syndromes. Depress Anxiety 1998, 8 Suppl 1, 43-53

T.R. Mareth, T.M. Brown, SSRI withdrawal (letter). J Clin Psychiatry 1996 Jul, 57 (7), 310.

J.S. Markowitz: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation with ECT and withdrawal symptoms (letter), J ECT, 1998, March, 14:1, 55

J.S. Markowitz: Nefazodone withdrawal symptoms, Can J Psychiatry, April 1999, 44(3), 286-287. Letter, Comment on Benazzi F., March 1998)


T. Mathew (Chair, ADRAC), SSRIs and withdrawal syndrome, Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin, 15, 1, November 1996, 2.

T. Mathew, SSRIs and neonatal disorders: Withdrawal reactions, Breast milk transfer, AADRB, 16, 4, November 1997, 14.

M. C. Miller, Symptoms that start when an antidepressant stops, Harvard Mental Health Letter, February 2001, 6-7.

I.J. Nijhuis, G.W. Kok-Van Rooij, A.N. Bosschaart, Withdrawal reactions of a premature neonate after maternal paroxetine (letter), Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2001 January, 84(1): F77-78

H. Nordeng, R. Lindemann, K.V. Perminov, A. Reikvam, Neonatal withdrawal syndrome after in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Acta Paediatr, 2001, 90, 288-291.

L Pacheco, P. Malo, E. Aragues, M. Etxebeste, More cases of paroxetine withdrawal syndrome, Brit J Psychiatry, Sept 1996, 169 (3), 384.

G. Parker, J. Blennerhassett: Withdrawal reactions associated with venlafaxine. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 1998 April, 32:2, 291-4.

F.P.M.L. Peeters, J Zandbergen, Violent withdrawal symptoms with fever while tapering off paroxetine (In Dutch, with English abstract); Ned. Tijdschr.Geneeskd, 1999, 3 July, 143 (27).

S.D. Phillips, A possible paroxetine withdrawal syndrome. Am J Psychiatry 1995, 152 (4), 645-6.

J.M. Plewes, S.C. Koke, M.E. Sayler, Adverse events and treatment discontinuations in fluoxetine clinical trials: an updated meta-analysis. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 7, S169, 1997.

B.G. Pollock: Discontinuation symptoms and SSRIs (letter), J Clin Psychiatry, 1998, Oct, 59:10, 535-537.

A comparison of the post-marketing safety of four selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors including the investigation of symptoms occurring on withdrawal, Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol., 1996, 42, 757-763.

R.E. Pyke, Paroxetine withdrawal syndrome. Am J Psychiatry 1995 Jan, 152 (1),149-50.

W. N. Raby, Treatment of venlafaxine discontinuation symptoms with odansetron (letter), J Clin Psychiatry, 1998, Nov, 59(11), 621-622.

M. Rajagopalan, J. Little, Discontinuation symptoms with nefazodone, Aust & NZ J. Psychiatry, 1999, 33, 594-597.

C. Rojas-Fernandez, J. Gordon: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation syndrome: putative mechanisms and prevention strategies (letter), Can J Psychiatry, 1998, June, 43(5), 523-524.

J F Rosenbaum, M Fava, S L Hoog, R C Ascroft, W B Krebs: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Discontinuation Syndrome: A Randomised Clinical Trial, Biol Psychiatry, 1998, 44, 77-87.

J.E. Rosenblat, Toxicology and drug interactions: two more cases of fluoxetine withdrawal (and SSRI withdrawal symptoms online), Currents in Affective Illness, 1994, 13, 11, 15-17.

H.A. Rosenstock, Sertraline withdrawal in two brothers: a case report. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1996 Mar, 11 (1), 58-9.

M. Schatzberg, P. Haddad, E.M. Kaplan, M. Lejoyeux, J.F. Rosenbaum, A.H. Young, J. Zajecka, Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome: update on serotonin reuptake inhibitors, J Clin Psychiatry, 1997, 58 (suppl 7), 1-4

E. Sempere, I Martinez, I Martinez-Mir, A Rey, Withdrawal syndrome and cytalopram (letter, in Spanish) Med Clin (Barc) 2000 March 11, 114(9): 359.

A.E. Shriver, G.S. Sachs et al., Mania and hypomania following antidepressant discontinuation, in New Research Program and Abstracts, Abstract NR 161:111, American Psychiatric Association, 151st Annual Meeting, Toronto, June 1998.

L. Sierra Santos, Y. Raigal Marin, A. Ortega Carcia, C. Berriochoa Martinez de Pison, G. Aparicio Jabalquinto: Venlafaxina y sindrome de discontinuacion, Atencion Primaria, December 1999, 24 (10), 115-116

M.M.S. Stahl, M. Lindquist, M. Pettersson, I.R. Edwards, J.H.Sanderson, N.F.Taylor, Withdrawal reactions with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as reported to the WHO system, Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol., (Accepted for publication, 1997)

J.A. Stiskal, N. Kulin, G. Koren, T. Ho, S. Ito: Neonatal paroxetine withdrawal syndrome (short report of four cases), Arch Dis Child

E. Szabadi, Fluvoxamine withdrawal syndrome. Brit J Psychiatry 1992 Feb, 160, 283-284.

F. Therrien, J.S. Markowitz: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and withdrawal symptoms: a review of the literature, Human Psychopharmacology, 1997, 12, 309-323.

Thompson: Discontinuation of antidepressant therapy: emerging complications and their relevance. J Clin Psychiatry 1998 Oct, 59:10, 541-8

A.C Vergouwen, T. Kuipers, Severe withdrawal symptoms with fever upon stopping paroxetine (letter, in Dutch), Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 28 August 1999, 143(35), 1794-5, discussion 1795-6.

M. Walker-Kinnear, S. McNaughton, Paroxetine discontinuation syndrome in association with sertindole therapy, Brit J Psychiatry, April 1997, 170, 389.

World Health Organisation (Anon), Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and withdrawal reactions, WHO Drug Information, 1998, 12, 3, 136-138

M. Z. Wincor: Withdrawal symptoms associated with abrupt discontinuation of SSRIs, J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash), 1998, July-August, 38(4), 500-501.

R.M. Wolfe, Antidepressant withdrawal reactions, American Family Physician, August 1997, 56 (2) (page numbers unknown).

A.H. Young, A Currie, Physicians' knowledge of antidepressant withdrawal effects: a survey, J Clin Psychiatry, 1997, 58 (suppl 7), 28-30.

Young, P. Haddad: Discontinuation symptoms and psychotropic drugs (letter): The Lancet, 355, 1 April 2000, 1184

J. Zajecka, K.A. Tracy, S. Mitchell, Discontinuation symptoms after treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors: a literature review, J Clin. Psychiatry, July 1997, 58, 7, 291-297.

[rdjanis]

OMG that is quite the list....

[elisa]

Thank you so much Light. Can you please add the link of the website to your references so that we can search for these articles? Thank you.

[elisa]

Thank you Laurie for making it a "sticky"!

[Light]

The first link below is to the source of these references. Note that the original list has many other interesting studies or books not on my list. There are some links but I've also included a pubmed link below to search for others that aren't linked. Many of these studies are case studies and therefore do not have abstracts.

http://socialaudit.org.uk/REFS.html#4.1%20References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed

[elisa]

GREAT Light!! Thank you soooo much!!

[rc1904]

This would be a good resource to take to doctors. Thanks for the work!

[elisa]

RC, absolutely!!

[silence4now]

It is "criminal" to dispense this drug without disclosing this info to patients!

[ducktail]

This is scary stuff,

One of these studies/reports that I just accessed tells me that I have a 720% increased chance of breast cancer - more than a smoker who has a merely 400% increased chance. All because I take Aropax.

gotta love those odds!!

It also mentioned those nasty suicidal feelings resulting from withdrawal, or from the introduction of an SSRI. Having experienced these drug-induced feelings, it made me shudder as I read details of cases. How many lives could have been saved? It's just so sad and so unnecessary.

This is truly frightening, sickening stuff.

the duck aka kelli

[vsierra]

High,

I took only paxil cr for only one month and just quit cold turkey,12.5.What can I expect?Thanks.

[Delynbetter]

You may have some symptoms, but they should be minimal considering the short amount of time you were on the medication. You can try cold turkey and if you are able to tolerate any symptoms that may show, great! If you do have some symptoms and need to taper, you should be able to do this fairly quickly.

[vsierra]

Thanks.I feel lots of cold sweats and a little run down.Thank you for your time.

[summer bee]

thanks, psychinfo, for some articles i don't see listed above... one of these studies (srri withdrawal buzz) sounds like it's on the zaps! i'm going to hunt that one down...

Title SSRI withdrawal syndrome and the Internet
Author Hirata, Akyuko1; Takaoka, Ken; Takata, Tomoji
Source International Medical Journal. Vol 6(1), Mar 1999, pp. 75
ISSN 1341-2051
Abstract Reports on the case of an 18-yr-old female with bulimia who purchased tablets of fluoxetine through the Internet. After discontinuation of daily administration (20 mg), the patient experienced unusual psychotic symptoms. This data indicate that fluoxetine is not completely safe, and calls for regulations concerning the personal import of medicines via the Internet.


Title SSRI withdrawal buzz
Author Ellison, James M
Source Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Vol 55(12), Dec 1994, pp. 544-545
ISSN 0160-6689
Abstract Reports the observance of a peculiar, distinctive withdrawal phenomenon in 5% of patients treated with 3 available selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The effect is a distractingly intense internal sensation in the head, a buzz lasting 1-2 sec that may include dizziness and disorientation. It occurs within days of dosage reduction, occurs 1 or more times a day, and then subsides within several weeks of discontinuation.


Title SSRI discontinuation and buspirone
Author Carrazana, Enrique J; Rivas-Vazquez, Rafael A; Rey, Gustavo J
Source American Journal of Psychiatry. Vol 158(6), Jun 2001, pp. 966-967
ISSN 0002-953X
Abstract Reports the case of a 62-yr-old woman who developed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation syndrome and experienced an intensification of the symptoms after an attempt to relieve them with buspirone. The S was taking sertraline for depression and associated anxiety. The S abruptly stopped taking sertraline after problems refilling her prescription and decided to treat her symptoms with buspirone. This led to an exacerbation of her symptoms. She presented at the treatment clinic with intense nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and vertigo. The S was again treated with sertraline; her symptoms disappeared within 24 hrs.


Title SSRI discontinuation syndrome: A clinical study/Discontinuation Syndrome da SSRI: uno studio clinico
Author Bellino, Silvio1; Revello, Raffaele Bonatto; Colla, Stefania; Patria, Luca; Bogetto, Filippo
Affiliation (1)U Torino, Dept de Neuroscienze, Sezione di Psichiatria, Turin, Italy
Source Rivista di Psichiatria. Vol 35(1), Jan-Feb 2000, pp. 14-22
ISSN 0035-6484
Abstract Studied the incidence and clinical features of the syndrome associated with discontinuation of selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) in patients with depressive or anxiety disorders. Ss included 20 male and female adults (mean age 38.9 yrs) with discontinuation syndrome (DS) and 40 male and female adults (mean age 42.15 yrs) without DS. Ss with DS had been treated with SSRIs for a mean of 19.1 mo and those without DS for a mean of 8.4 mo prior to SSRI discontinuation. Data on clinical and psychological symptoms were obtained by semistructured interview and questionnaire, using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, The Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. DS was associated with duration of SSRI treatment, more frequent in females than males, associated with depression but not anxiety scores on the Hamilton Rating Scales. Statistical tests were used.


Title SSRI discontinuation syndrome treated with fluoxetine
Author Benazzi, Franco1
Source International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Vol 13(6), Jun 1998, pp. 421-422
ISSN 0885-6230
Abstract Describes two patients who experienced typical selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) discontinuation symptoms, which appeared despite slow tapering, and which did not reoccur, or were much less severe, when tapering was associated with fluoxetine. The cases of a 74-yr-old woman with recurrent major depression, in remission for months with venlafaxine, and a 65-yr-old woman with recurrent major depression, in remission with sertraline, are highlighted.

[summer bee]

Letters to the editor: New Dosage-Reduction Regime to Avoid Paroxetine Discontinuation Syndrome.

Author Yáñez, Luis Pacheco; Malo, Pablo; Etxebeste, María; Aragües, Enrique; Medrano, Juan

Source Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Vol 48(2), Mar 2003, pp. 129-130

ISSN 0706-7437

Abstract The serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) discontinuation syndrome appears soon after an SRI or venlafaxine is stopped or decreased. With venlafaxine, symptoms can sometimes occur within the first 6 hours. It is unclear whether this syndrome should be thought of in terms of abstinence, similar to that appearing after withdrawal of other medication or in terms of withdrawal from toxic substances. More often reported after withdrawal of paroxetine, the syndrome has raised concern inasmuch as it can become difficult to stop a treatment. Our current method of discontinuing paroxetine in patients on 20-mg daily dosage is to taper it down every 20 days, as follows: Day 1: 20 mg and 15 mg daily on alternate days; Day 21: 15 mg daily; Day 41:15 mg and 10 mg daily on alternate days; Day 61:10 mg daily; Day 81: 10 mg and 5 mg daily on alternate days; Day 101:5 mg daily; Day 121: 5 mg daily and no medication on alternate days; Day 141: stop medication. Even though it is not coherent with paroxetine's pharmacocynetic and pharmacodynamic properties, this approach has proved helpful. Nevertheless, it is not always effective, and we are therefore planning to taper off every 30 days instead. However, in the absence of controlled-release or liquid forms, 2.5-mg decrements would be more appropriate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

Journal Volume 48
Journal Issue 2
Journal Pages 129-130


HA. what an awful tapering schedule...

[scotty]

Yeah, but it's better than most we see!!!

[elisa]

"Even though it is not coherent with paroxetine's pharmacocynetic and pharmacodynamic properties, this approach has proved helpful. Nevertheless, it is not always effective, and we are therefore planning to taper off every 30 days instead."

It would be nice to see the results about the 30 day tapering! See if the results are comparable to our experiences.

[pmflaherty]

months ago I called GSK and asked them what thier suggested withdrawal schedule was.. they said it was up to my doctor.. so i called in posing as a doctor (probably highly illegal but screw them, they can sue me or have me arrested) anyway, i found better results and more answers when posing as a prescribing psysician. I basically discussed my own case telling them it was a patient of mine and I didnt know what to do because of my severe discontinuation symptoms. They told me that basically it was my call and that they would send me a packet with as much information as possible about specific withdrawal schedules... i just got the packet 4 months later.. the info included is basically a generic response, similar to that of a recorded response. It is ridiculous. It just says the same thing, that treatment varies depending upon the patients response to dicontinuing the drug. So then I called them and said "so basically it is trial and error?" They were like No it varies depending upon the patients response to lessening the drug... so i was like "so it is TRIAL - AND - ERROR ???" Theyre like "NO" I asked them if there was any formula to be absolutely sure that withdrawal doesnt occur or to absolutely minimise it.. same generic response... depends on the patient.
So then I wanted to pursue the question of the Zaps.. I asked what specifically they were.. once again they said they would send a packet. Cant wait for that one.. i will get it in like 4 months. But I asked more about what causes it.. they said it was when the brain gets a lot of serotonin from paxil and then it is adjusting back to not getting that elevated amount. I said "so then why dont people get the zaps when they come down from elevated serotonin levels on recreational drugs such as ecstacy? They said they knew nothing about Ecstacy or its effects. I usually know what they are going to say but still... i just like to hear them squirm. They dont like getting into specifics, even though they employ an entire section of people that are supposed to get into specifics with doctors.. I have found however that you will get a lot more answers if you get all "Pro Paxil" with them... Just food for thought, thought you guys might want to hear...

[elisa]

Thanks for your story Pat! Now you have discovered how truthful Big Pharma is with doctors! Please update us when you receive the new package?

[eileen]

PM that is very interesting. I'd love to hear about the next package. Imagine sending a doctor information four months later. They sure care. They also read the posts in here. PM any informaton, you don't want them to know. I hope you will feel better soon. WD is hell on earth.
eileen

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Light

The first link below is to the source of these references. Note that the original list has many other interesting studies or books not on my list. There are some links but I've also included a pubmed link below to search for others that aren't linked. Many of these studies are case studies and therefore do not have abstracts.

http://socialaudit.org.uk/REFS.html#4.1%20References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed

I would like to print some documentation for my next visit to the doctor.

I noticed that the first link does not work?? For the second link, do you know if we have to create a usercode to access the information?

[lainewool]

I am looking for a suggested schedule for weaning off 60 mg of paxil. I have decreased by 5 mg for about 2 weeks. Am in no hurry, but am very determined. So want the process to be a one-time-onlly enterprise. I know from reading others' posts that no 2 pple are the same. Still: wd it be safe to decrease 5 mg /month? Slower?
Thanks for all responses
lainewool

[carolyn]

Hi laine, welcome! The mods will probably move this into its own thread so that it's easier for people to find.

In the meantime, we generally recommend that people drop by 8%-10% every 3 to 6 weeks.

So, from 60mg, if you do 10% drops, that would be:

Start: 54mg
Three weeks later: 48.6mg (54mg minus 5.4mg)
Three weeks later: 43.74mg (48.6mg minus 4.86mg)
Three weeks later: 39.37mg (43.74mg minue 4.37mg)
and so on.

This is fairly easily done with a pill cutter; however, getting liquid Paxil prescribed is by far the easiest way to drop consistently and accurately.