Paxil Dilution Techniques

AlmostThere · 01-19-2011, 09:56 AM

Hey all. I am another first time poster trying to ween myself off this evil drug.

I have been down to 5mg daily for a couple months now with no real problems (13 year Paxil user). At this point, it is hard to break my 10mg tablets any further to lower the dosage. I know that there is a liquid version of Paxil available. But, my insurance won't cover it.

I have considered crushing a 10mg tablet, mixing it with water and storing it in the refrigerator. Then, each morning, I will shake the mixture well and pour out a closely measured dosage of water/paxil mix.

Has anybody tried this strategy for diluting their paxil medication ?

I am really angry with myself for going cold turkey from 5mg for the last 7 days. I now have the vertigo symptoms and something that I did NOT expect (PSSD ?). At 5mg a day, my libido was OK. But, when I went cold turkey, my libido seems to have disappeared. I was shocked, because I expected my Libido to come back rampent after getting off of Paxil completely.

Oh well, as of today I am back on at 5mg. I will try and slowly ween myself from there, if I can find a good way to dilute the dosages.

I am really depressed to read about PSSD here in the forum. I honestly thought that by eliminating Paxil, my sex drive would be stronger. Even though I am 49, my Testosterone levels are great (thanks to SottoPelle). Plus, I am very active. So, health issues are certainly not the problem.

I really hate this drug and the damage that it seems to do long term. I will NEVER let my children go on it.

Thanks for listening to me rant. I will be watching this forum closely over the months to come.

GraceC · 01-19-2011, 04:55 PM

Hi AlmostThere,
I actually considered this method of tapering after learning that liquid Paxil is not available to me. I'm not sure how accurate the dosing would be though. So today, I ordered a jeweler's digital scale after getting some advice from another poster here. My new Paxil prescription is for 10 mg instead of my usual 20mg and will try reducing dosage by cutting, filing and weighing the pills.
GC.

LCrawford67 · 01-19-2011, 04:59 PM

Someone who's much better in chemistry than me will chime in, but I don't believe the dosing would be accurate I don't believe the solution would stay viable, when stored.

scotty · 01-19-2011, 05:09 PM

Stability and dosing accuracy is a huge factor. I would not recommend doing it this way. It's worth the expense to get the liquid..and just think, you'll be using less and less as time goes on!

LCrawford67 · 01-19-2011, 05:48 PM

Or, get a scale, like many other members have done.

long_way_home · 01-19-2011, 06:37 PM

I've actually tried mixing the pill with juice and storing in the fridge, but don't do it, because it loses its potency. Believe me, I tried.
The best method for your situation is the jeweler scale.

JessG · 01-19-2011, 09:03 PM

You said your insurance won't cover the liquid, and I know the liquid is expensive. I believe it's around $189.00 a bottle. There are 250ml in one bottle and 1ml=2mg. So that means if you are at 5mg then a bottle would last you 100 days! So if you look at it that way it's somewhat more affordable. Of course you will be tapering which means the lower you go, the longer a bottle will last. I currently shave/weigh my pills with scale but hope to switch to the liquid when I get to a lower dose because I don't have insurance, but also because the liquid is more accurate and accuracy is key when you get to the lower dosages. Hope this helps

Songbird · 01-20-2011, 12:41 AM

The liquid is not available in New Zealand, but I am getting it made up by a compounding pharmacy. They make it up in a thick syrup - I guess so that, when shaken, the drug is evenly distributed. They also add a sweetener and a preservative. It is quite expensive, but very convenient.

I have also used the scale method. The advantage of this is that buying the scale is a one-off cost. The disadvantage is that all the cutting and weighing is very time-consuming. I think the scale is a better option than trying to make your own liquid.

mackenzie · 01-20-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlmostThere

Hey all. I am another first time poster trying to ween myself off this evil drug.

I have been down to 5mg daily for a couple months now with no real problems (13 year Paxil user). At this point, it is hard to break my 10mg tablets any further to lower the dosage. I know that there is a liquid version of Paxil available. But, my insurance won't cover it.

I have considered crushing a 10mg tablet, mixing it with water and storing it in the refrigerator. Then, each morning, I will shake the mixture well and pour out a closely measured dosage of water/paxil mix.

Has anybody tried this strategy for diluting their paxil medication ?

I am really angry with myself for going cold turkey from 5mg for the last 7 days. I now have the vertigo symptoms and something that I did NOT expect (PSSD ?). At 5mg a day, my libido was OK. But, when I went cold turkey, my libido seems to have disappeared. I was shocked, because I expected my Libido to come back rampent after getting off of Paxil completely.

Oh well, as of today I am back on at 5mg. I will try and slowly ween myself from there, if I can find a good way to dilute the dosages.

I am really depressed to read about PSSD here in the forum. I honestly thought that by eliminating Paxil, my sex drive would be stronger. Even though I am 49, my Testosterone levels are great (thanks to SottoPelle). Plus, I am very active. So, health issues are certainly not the problem.

I really hate this drug and the damage that it seems to do long term. I will NEVER let my children go on it.

Thanks for listening to me rant. I will be watching this forum closely over the months to come.

After my pharmacy was unable to get the liquid paxil anymore, I had to switch to pill cutting, and bought a portable milligram scale for around $20. It does take more time, but seems to measure doses pretty accurately, and with practice I've gotten better at eye-balling about how much to cut off the pills for the right weight (I also save all the tiny pieces so I can add those to up the weight if needed). As some others have pointed out, I don't think diluting the pills yourself would work very well.

You've done great getting this far! We can do this!

Best,

Mackenzie

prhiannon · 01-20-2011, 02:10 PM

I am liquid tapering Celexa and it's working great for me. I dissolve a 10 mg tablet in a mixture of water and ethanol, then measure out my dose for the day (5.65 mg today), then take it, then dump the rest and use a new tablet the next day. I don't try to save what I don't use.

Right now I'm dissolving the tablet in 20 mL of fluid and measuring out 11.3 mL, which is 5.65 mg.

I taper by very small cuts but more often, about 0.05 to 0.1 mg every five to ten days, depending on symptoms. Occasionally I have to hold for a while when the cuts catch up with me, but they're so small and gradual it never gets too bad (knock on wood) and it's easy to tweak it.

PM me if you want more details.

AlmostThere · 01-20-2011, 07:38 PM

Thanks everyone. I thought that somebody might have tried this before. I may try the Jeweler scale route.

GraceC · 01-21-2011, 01:35 PM

My digital jeweler scale is on order and due to arrive in a few days. Will let you know how it works out.
GC

01-19-2011, 09:56 AM	#1
AlmostThere Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South USA Posts: 2	Paxil Dilution Techniques Hey all. I am another first time poster trying to ween myself off this evil drug. I have been down to 5mg daily for a couple months now with no real problems (13 year Paxil user). At this point, it is hard to break my 10mg tablets any further to lower the dosage. I know that there is a liquid version of Paxil available. But, my insurance won't cover it. I have considered crushing a 10mg tablet, mixing it with water and storing it in the refrigerator. Then, each morning, I will shake the mixture well and pour out a closely measured dosage of water/paxil mix. Has anybody tried this strategy for diluting their paxil medication ? I am really angry with myself for going cold turkey from 5mg for the last 7 days. I now have the vertigo symptoms and something that I did NOT expect (PSSD ?). At 5mg a day, my libido was OK. But, when I went cold turkey, my libido seems to have disappeared. I was shocked, because I expected my Libido to come back rampent after getting off of Paxil completely. Oh well, as of today I am back on at 5mg. I will try and slowly ween myself from there, if I can find a good way to dilute the dosages. I am really depressed to read about PSSD here in the forum. I honestly thought that by eliminating Paxil, my sex drive would be stronger. Even though I am 49, my Testosterone levels are great (thanks to SottoPelle). Plus, I am very active. So, health issues are certainly not the problem. I really hate this drug and the damage that it seems to do long term. I will NEVER let my children go on it. Thanks for listening to me rant. I will be watching this forum closely over the months to come. __________________ 1997 - Paxil 20mg 1998-2010 - 5mg paxil (doing good). Nov 2010 - Dr switch to 10mg Lexapro and Klonopin. Jan-June 2011 - Continued with 10mg Lexapro and Klonopin as needed. Constant anxiety. July 2011 - Horrible panic attacks and anxiety started. August 2011 - Back to 5mg paxil. No panic, little anxiety. Nov 2011 - 2.5mg paxil. Dec 2011 - return of anxiety and lack of focus.

01-19-2011, 04:55 PM	#2
GraceC Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 435	Re: Paxil Dilution Techniques Hi AlmostThere, I actually considered this method of tapering after learning that liquid Paxil is not available to me. I'm not sure how accurate the dosing would be though. So today, I ordered a jeweler's digital scale after getting some advice from another poster here. My new Paxil prescription is for 10 mg instead of my usual 20mg and will try reducing dosage by cutting, filing and weighing the pills. GC. __________________ 2002 - Paxil 20 mg for anxiety and panic. Got sober from alcohol addiction 2005 - Unsuccessful four-month withdrawal 20 to 5 mg. Back up to 20 2008 - Another failed withdrawal. Back to 20 Oct 2010 - 20 to 10 mg. Nov - Dec 2010 - Stabilizing at 10 mg. Jan 2011 - 9 mg. Feb 2011 - 8.1 mg March 2011 - 7.3 mg April 2011 - 6.6 mg May 5, 2011 - 5.9 mg May 26, 2011 - 5.3 mg June 10, 2011 - 4.8 mg July 4, 2011 - 4.3 mg July 25, 2011 - 3.9 mg Aug, 2011 - 7 mg Aug, 2011 - 10 mg

01-19-2011, 04:59 PM	#3
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,484	Re: Paxil Dilution Techniques Someone who's much better in chemistry than me will chime in, but I don't believe the dosing would be accurate I don't believe the solution would stay viable, when stored. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 Today is the best day, EVER!

01-19-2011, 05:09 PM	#4
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,007	Re: Paxil Dilution Techniques Stability and dosing accuracy is a huge factor. I would not recommend doing it this way. It's worth the expense to get the liquid..and just think, you'll be using less and less as time goes on! __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

01-19-2011, 05:48 PM	#5
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,484	Re: Paxil Dilution Techniques Or, get a scale, like many other members have done. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 Today is the best day, EVER!

01-19-2011, 06:37 PM	#6
long_way_home Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 815	Re: Paxil Dilution Techniques I've actually tried mixing the pill with juice and storing in the fridge, but don't do it, because it loses its potency. Believe me, I tried. The best method for your situation is the jeweler scale. __________________ 8 months: 10mg Lexapro 12 months: 20mg 12/14/09: 10mg for 2 weeks 01/01/10-03/23/10: 5mg 03/24/10-04/19/10: nothing Experienced bad withdrawal, so decided to reinstate and taper 04/20/10: Reinstated 5mg for 2 weeks 05/06/10: 4.5mg 06/03/10: 4mg 07/26/10: 3.6mg 09/06/10: 3.4mg 11/10/10: 3.1mg (No major withdrawal symptoms below this dose) Continued to taper 10% every 3 weeks... 06/15/11: Reached 0.9mg 07/05/11: 0.8mg 07/27/11: 0.7mg 08/16/11: Off Lexapro!

01-19-2011, 09:03 PM	#7
JessG Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,406	Re: Paxil Dilution Techniques You said your insurance won't cover the liquid, and I know the liquid is expensive. I believe it's around $189.00 a bottle. There are 250ml in one bottle and 1ml=2mg. So that means if you are at 5mg then a bottle would last you 100 days! So if you look at it that way it's somewhat more affordable. Of course you will be tapering which means the lower you go, the longer a bottle will last. I currently shave/weigh my pills with scale but hope to switch to the liquid when I get to a lower dose because I don't have insurance, but also because the liquid is more accurate and accuracy is key when you get to the lower dosages. Hope this helps __________________ Paxil since Mar.1998 5% or less drops every 3-6 weeks 2009: 20mg to 14mg 2010: 14mg to 10.5mg 2011: 10.5 to 7.6mg 2012: 7.5 to 6.8mg 02/09/13: 6.7mg 04/06/13: 6.6mg "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

01-20-2011, 12:41 AM	#8
Songbird Queen of the appendage vocabulary Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 11,325	Re: Paxil Dilution Techniques The liquid is not available in New Zealand, but I am getting it made up by a compounding pharmacy. They make it up in a thick syrup - I guess so that, when shaken, the drug is evenly distributed. They also add a sweetener and a preservative. It is quite expensive, but very convenient. I have also used the scale method. The advantage of this is that buying the scale is a one-off cost. The disadvantage is that all the cutting and weighing is very time-consuming. I think the scale is a better option than trying to make your own liquid. __________________ Jul 01-Feb 02 Aropax Feb-Dec 03 Citalopram Jul 04 Aropax Jan 07-Feb 08 20mg > 5mg Apr 4.5mg 5mg Jun 10mg Jul 20mg Oct Loxamine Dec 17.5mg 15mg 2009 24 Jan 12.5mg 16 Feb 10mg 10 May 9mg 30 May 8mg 5 July 7.5mg 2 Aug 7.25mg 1 Sep 7mg 9 Oct 6.75mg 8 Nov 6.5mg 18 Dec 6.3mg 2010 30 Aug 6.15mg 28 Nov 6 mg 2011 20 Feb 5.9mg 11 Apr 5.8mg 29 May 5.7mg 24 Jun 5.6mg 17 Sep 5.5mg 2 Nov 5.4mg 26 Dec 5.3mg 2012 19 Feb 5.2mg 14 Oct 5.1mg 6 Dec 5mg 25 Jan 4.9mg

01-20-2011, 02:10 PM	#10
prhiannon Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 154	Re: Paxil Dilution Techniques I am liquid tapering Celexa and it's working great for me. I dissolve a 10 mg tablet in a mixture of water and ethanol, then measure out my dose for the day (5.65 mg today), then take it, then dump the rest and use a new tablet the next day. I don't try to save what I don't use. Right now I'm dissolving the tablet in 20 mL of fluid and measuring out 11.3 mL, which is 5.65 mg. I taper by very small cuts but more often, about 0.05 to 0.1 mg every five to ten days, depending on symptoms. Occasionally I have to hold for a while when the cuts catch up with me, but they're so small and gradual it never gets too bad (knock on wood) and it's easy to tweak it. PM me if you want more details.

01-20-2011, 07:38 PM	#11
AlmostThere Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South USA Posts: 2	Re: Paxil Dilution Techniques Thanks everyone. I thought that somebody might have tried this before. I may try the Jeweler scale route. __________________ 1997 - Paxil 20mg 1998-2010 - 5mg paxil (doing good). Nov 2010 - Dr switch to 10mg Lexapro and Klonopin. Jan-June 2011 - Continued with 10mg Lexapro and Klonopin as needed. Constant anxiety. July 2011 - Horrible panic attacks and anxiety started. August 2011 - Back to 5mg paxil. No panic, little anxiety. Nov 2011 - 2.5mg paxil. Dec 2011 - return of anxiety and lack of focus.

01-21-2011, 01:35 PM	#12
GraceC Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 435	Re: Paxil Dilution Techniques My digital jeweler scale is on order and due to arrive in a few days. Will let you know how it works out. GC __________________ 2002 - Paxil 20 mg for anxiety and panic. Got sober from alcohol addiction 2005 - Unsuccessful four-month withdrawal 20 to 5 mg. Back up to 20 2008 - Another failed withdrawal. Back to 20 Oct 2010 - 20 to 10 mg. Nov - Dec 2010 - Stabilizing at 10 mg. Jan 2011 - 9 mg. Feb 2011 - 8.1 mg March 2011 - 7.3 mg April 2011 - 6.6 mg May 5, 2011 - 5.9 mg May 26, 2011 - 5.3 mg June 10, 2011 - 4.8 mg July 4, 2011 - 4.3 mg July 25, 2011 - 3.9 mg Aug, 2011 - 7 mg Aug, 2011 - 10 mg

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