How do you safely quit taking prescriptions medications?

Question

I'm ready to quit taking my high blood pressure, thyroid, and antidepressants. How long will it take to get over the dizziness? Ever?

Answer 1

You should NOT quit any of those without talking to you doctor. Thyroid medication is usually taken for a lifetime. Improper thyroid levels effect nearly EVERY body function. Hypertension can kill you and though you may be able to quit taking it SOME DAY.... you would need to make other lifestyle changes to get your blood pressure lower naturally. Stopping antidepressants suddenly is dangerous.... and if you do that AND stop your synthroid you will feel miserable!

Dizziness will be the least of your worries. Be smart. Talk this over with your doctor first.

Answer 2

The best way would be to take them every 3-4 days, it lets your tolerance level come down and you get higher from less. Also, like what the other people said you don't want to become dependant on it, or you will literally need it just to function normally, and if your buzzed up all the time, imagine what thats going to do to your mind and body over a long time. 1. Trust me, youll know if your having a withdrawal, It'll be like a massive craving and your mood will swing. Where if it gets bad you could lash out, get really depressed, frustrated etc. 2. Yes, if you keep taking it all the time, because your mind gets used to that feeling and chemical levels so anything else wouldn't seem right. 3.... 4.Long term (This can be a mixture and is different for everyone) aggression, agoraphobia, serious anxiety issues, depression, dizziness, headaches, irritability, lethargy, nausea memory impairment, personality changes panic attacks, sleep problems, social life down the pan and isolation. Short term, Thinking abilities gone to crap Memory problems mood swings, and overdoses because you want that high 5. Different for everyone, you cant say your going to take them for so long so you wont get addicted, you wont realise until you are.

Answer 3

Talk to your doctors first before changing any meds. Other then that, wean yourself off slowly, one med at a time. Start by taking half doses (i.e. if you take it 2x a day, take once), then after a week, stop all together. Then do the next medicines.
You might go thru some w/d symptoms as your body readjusts. It should only be there, at most less then a week after you stop. If they last longer, see a doctor.

Answer 4

I feel that if you are ready to quit taking these medications, you should have the doctor lower your doses little by little. Some of these medications can affect your body in different ways, and give you side effects. Consult with your doctor first. That will be the safest way to get off those medications.

Answer 5

Why are you wanting to quit taking them? Have you discussed this with your doctor? You will get over the dizziness after your heart attack. I wouldn't quit taking any of them without talking to your doctor first. It can be very dangerous to quit taking blood pressure pills or antidepressants cold turkey. It creates what is called a rebound effect, which means your blood pressure will zoom upward. Your antidepressant shoud always be stopped gradually, or you could become suicidal.

Answer 6

If you are taking prescription meds you should be following the Dr. orders. If he wants you to stop the meds he will tell you how. If he does not tell you then DO NOT stop.
The dizziness could be because you are not getting the necessary meds for your high blood pressure.

Answer 7

Don't ever stop taking any medications without talking to the prescribing physician first!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

OH MY! Don't do anything until you talk to your doctor.

You'd have to very slowly wean yourself off the anti-depressants....but I'm not sure if you should stop taking the rest!

Answer 10

You can ease off the BP drugs and antidepressants little by little and replace them starting the first day with water ozonated with a home ozonizer purifier. Use the search terms "ozone therapy for hypertension and depression". Also, "herbal/alternative therapies for thyroid (whatever is your problem)". While you're at it search for "side effects of (generic names of your medications)".