does it hurt to stop taking anti depressants all at once?

Question

I've been taking 225 mg of Effexor xr but ran completly out last week. I have noticed that I'm very sensitive again.

Answer 1

Yes, especially SSRI antidepressants. SSRI's (drugs like prozac, paxil, celexa, zoloft, and others) work by limiting the amount of seratonin (a neurotransmitter) that gets absorbed into the brain from the bloodstream. Because it's not being absorbed normally, patients on SSRI's have high levels of seratonin in the bloodstream. When they quit taking medication, all of this excess seratonin rushes into the brain rapidly, resulting in a condition known as "seratonin storm". Seratonin storm can cause extreme anxiety, temporary psychosis, and violent or suicidal behavior. It usually starts about three days after the patient stops taking medication and lasts less than 24 hours, after which more typical withdrawal symptoms set in.

As a paramedic, I've treated many patients who decided to stop taking antidepressant meds on their own. The results are not pretty. If you want to get off of your meds, talk to your doctor about weaning you off or switching to a "step-down" medication. Whatever you do, DON'T stop taking them all at once. It's dangerous for you and everyone around you.

Answer 2

Yes. The reason doctors wean you off slowly is to minimize any side effects, or avoid a 'crash' - remember all the the media reports about people commiting suicide on Prozac a few years ago? It usually turned out that was what they had done - just suddenly stopped taking them, without the doctor's advice. If you are on them & want to go off, definately consult your doctor!

Answer 3

as these meds take a period of time to take efect ,it lso takes some time for your system to flush them.you will probably feel fine for a couple weeks ,but then depresion will set in and you may have some anxiety even if you didn't before
if your having problems eith your meds talk to the doc. who prescribed them and discuss an alternative med . untill then continue to use them uless you experience serious helt probs
such as anaphalaxis or elivated hart rate or constant migrane
in such situations call your doc imediately

Answer 4

It may cause you to have some moment of insanity...it may not...but u must remember, when u take Anti's they surpress whats really going on in your mind, when you stop em...there may be a large over flow of emotions, as well as horrible withdrawals! someone likened it to a DAM, it holds back water but if it breaks what happens...UGGG not good!!! so needless to say, its best to tapper em off...by the DR's supreviosion. I have to take my own advice, but this last time i tappered off of Paxil, and i had the most horrifing expieance, including muscle loss for 1 month...i could bearly walk...everything hurt, i was suicidal, and cryed over everything...i was nausous and sick, i slept for days! i was dizzy and disconnected from reality! pretty scarey if u ask me! best to ya, beck

Answer 5

One should not go off anti-depressants suddenly. You have to consult your Doctor and go off them gradually. If you go off them suddenly, your depression will be worse than it was before you started taking them, which will create more problems. Seek medical advice before you decide what to do.

Answer 6

Yes. Antidepressants are a physical addiction,so your body hurts when it can't have them. You'll have headaches,cold sweats,anxious feelings etc. It is pretty scary to go through.

Answer 7

You could very possibly crash and burn. You were put on the meds for a reason. Please get back on your meds as soon as possible.

Answer 8

you go into deep depression sometimes suicide so i would say yes it does.

Answer 9

ya probably take less and less slowly would probably be better.