Paxil-want to get off it ASAP

[UW2006]

I have been taking Paxil for 6 days now, 20mg daily.

After reading all of the stories about how bad it is to get off this drug and about long term effects: mainly weight gain and loss of sexual interest as well as achieving an erection and reaching orgasm, I would like to get off this drug ASAP.

My question is, since I have only been on it for 6 days, can I quit cold turkey or do I have to ween myself off the drug?  If I have to ween what type of weening schedule should I follow?

[tanns]

I would find out from your pharmacist.  The first time I tried Lexapro, I was on it for 14 days.  I went to a new doctor and she called it "poison for the brain"!!  I freaked out, she told me to stop it right away and I did.  No problems.  After consulting with my family I went back to my previous doctor and we discussed it.   About 3 weeks later, I went back on it for nine months.  I came off of it over six weeks and was basically fine.  Three weeks after I was done taking it I had some "anxiety" but it wasn't life altering.

I would just check with a pharmacist (maybe 2 or 3--just with a phone call) and get their opinion.  The may not prescribe the meds but they deal with them and the reactions from patients much more than the docs!!

Good luck!