I have been taking paxil for less than a month but taking it everyday 10m I want to stop taking it. Can I do this abrumptly since I havent been taking it for long?
2007-05-23 10:32:42 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
if it were only a week I'd say yes, but not after a whole month, you need to taper to stop the drug safely. It does take six weeks for the drug to be effective, why aren't you willing to give it time to work?
2007-05-23 10:38:33 · answer #1 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't really understand why an ER doctor would say "take a Xanax", wow now that will cause you some grief. Xanax probably would help short term, however in the long term she would suffer because Xanax is a benzodiazepine which is habit forming. I don't care what anyone tells you, Paxil is not an addictive substance. Paxil doesn't bind with any opiate receptors or gaba receptors within the brain. True, it will cause some form of withdrawal if you stop taking it cold turkey as all pychotropic meds. can, but this does not mean it's addictive. I think people are confused by this and need to check the facts out before making a bold statement like that. Paxil has a half-life of approx. 21 hours so if it's been 10 days since taking it it should be out of her system by now. I would have to consider why did she stop the medication to begin with? She might have a return of symptoms and this may not get better unless she takes her medication or by changing to another medication, however Xanax is not the right one. Has she been taking any other meds such as Xanax,Valium, Ativan, Klonipin? If so, that is probably what's making her feel the intense withdrawal. Check with her and see what other meds she's taking or has taken and see if she has stopped them, as well. If she has taken a large dose of Paxil,say 40 to 60mg a day then she needed to taper by increments of 10mg each week and then start skipping to every other day until it was gone. I'm sorry but don't do the Xanax, it will only cause more problems down the road. Best of luck to you and your Mom!
2016-05-21 01:47:25 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not if you've only been taking it for a month. I've taken Paxil for periods of six months in the past and never had problems going off them (I believe I was on 10mg/day also). Some people are fine and some have rather pronounced withdrawal symptoms. If you're concerned you could talk to your doctor about gradually tapering off but since you haven't been taking it that long you shouldn't have any problems. But like others have said it can take up to 8 weeks to become fully effective so, if the side effects are not intolerable, maybe you should give it a chance.
2007-05-23 15:48:07 · answer #3 · answered by DawnDavenport 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you have not given the drug time to work it takes 6-8 weeks for an antidepressent to work.when stoping paxil should tamper the dose.withdraw from paxil can cause seereheadache.please consult with your doctor.
2007-05-23 11:16:04 · answer #4 · answered by noelle g 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It differs for everyone. Basically you should tapper down. This may mean halving the dose every week. Obviously you should ask your doctor what the best way is to stop. May I ask why you are stopping so soon?
2007-05-23 10:38:47 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no. it's in your system. lower the dose every other day until you're off.
2007-05-23 10:39:22 · answer #6 · answered by racer 51 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Question: Shouldn't you be asking your physician this?
2007-05-23 10:42:17 · answer #7 · answered by Rebekah S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋