trying to quit Paxil -HELP!

[IKAP]

I am on Paxil and really want to stop taking it. When I tried to lower the doze I got horrible side effects. Is it safe to mix two medications, for example: I will be taking lesser dose of Paxil for a couple of days but add just a bit of other med like Lexapro to take simultaneously with Paxil to easy the withdrawal sympthoms? Then in a week I’ll reduce Paxil even more, but add more Lexapro if needed. If this option is not acceptable, I’d like to know if after stopping Paxil one day and starting Lexapro or other med the next day will create bad withdrawal symptoms due to stopping Paxil? Please Help!!!!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Paxil is out of your system completely in 6 days or less. Stopping should be down slowly over a two week period. Many doctors add Lexapro while you are doing this, but you should not simply stop cold one day and start another the next day.

[joyce45]

I think Prozac at 10 mgs is good to take while reducing Paxil.  I reduced Paxil over 3 weeks taking a tiny bit less every few days. Prozac made a big difference.

[mayy]

It took me about 2 weeks to wean off of Paxil. I hope you are okay now. It was one of the most awful experiences I had ever had with a anti-depressant. My friend experienced the same symptoms as I did (light-headedness, headaches). She simply stopped taking hers and was successful, but unfortunately not for me.

[DaisyB]

Hey there

I have had a very bad experience with Paxil (Paroxetine).  Personally the best way to come of it is to cut down gradually. Firstly I cut the pill in half and cut down to 3/4 of a 20 mg pill so on and so on...eventually reducing my dosage till I was having seroxat through a syringe (orally- in other words I couldnt crush the pill much smaller). The last 5ml were the hardest and I i went down 1 ml every 2 weeks untill I got to 1 ml then had to reduce it even further to 0.5 ml....as you can imagine this took me the best part of 4 months!  My reactions were still awful when coming off it at such a slow pace.  I am posting this comment so you are fully aware what damage this drug can do.  Me reactions were extreme and I was suicidal and severly depressed, it lead me to self harm and self destructive behaviour, very vivid nightmares and 'electric shock' tremors.  I cannot be 100% sure it was the drug but it was very coincidental!!!

Good luck and be patient!!

Daisy

[pharmno062]

Thank you innakep, mayy and daisy for your comments on Paxil withdrawal. I am very well versed in medications and their effects but withdrawal from Paxil was a drastic surprise.  I am trying to help my husband withdraw and it is a torturous process.  Two and a half weeks thus far, do not show a significant reduction in nausea, dizziness, anger outbursts, confusion and inability to function.  I feel less alone with your responses.  Thanks!  S.

[DanielleTProctor]

I'm confused by the entry made on 03/10/04 [below] saying Paxil is completely out of your system in 6 days or less. Is it really?

I quit Paxil 4 days ago [cold turkey].  A personal decision.  I was prescribed Paxil for anxiety but after about a year and a half on the medication I started experiencing anxiety once again.  

The first 2 days, and nights, were hell.  I was constantly over heated, shaky and angry.  I had horribly vivid dreams the first night and woke up every half hour the second night.  The dreams [nightmares] have stopped now [day 4] and I am sleeping through the night, but I am still continually suffering from "brain zaps", numb tongue, hot flashes and fatigue. I also am having a difficult time adjusting to changes in light [indoors vs. outdoors]. Other entries suggest it can take up to 4 weeks, sometimes more for the symptoms to subside.  How long am I going to feel this way?  

"A Forum-M.D.-RG(10-Mar-04) innakap Paxil is out of your system completely in 6 days or less. Stopping should be down slowly over a two week period. Many doctors add Lexapro while you are doing this, but you should not simply stop cold one day and start another the next day."

Any advice, suggestions, HELP anyone can offer?

Thanks,
Danielle