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Suggest Treatment For Mild Withdrawal Symptoms Of Antidepressants

Posted on Mon, 8 Aug 2016

Question: Hi, This is XXXX, I've been on anti depressant tablets for about 8 month,
and i just stopped taking it a week back, since then I'm having mild withdrawal symptoms.
can i use activated charcoal to get rid of this withdrawal effects of antidepressant or
is there any other way to overcome the withdrawal effects, please suggest

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It should be stopped gradually

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

Anti depressant medication should be stopped gradually to avoid withdrawal side effects. Ideally you should reduce 25% per week so it can take around three to four weeks and will not cause any withdrawal side effects.

I do not think charcoal haver anything to do with withdrawal of antidepressant medication.

To overcome keep yourself hydrated and avoid stress producing stimuli. In addition you can take sleep medicine after consulting your doctor if you face problem with sleep.

I hope this helps you.
Thanks again.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (13 minutes later)

Thanks a lot for your response.

My withdrawal symptoms are not very severe, i feel little dizzy sometimes and i do not want to start the antidepressants again, and i read somewhere that Activated charcoal adsorbs the toxins of the medicine from the blood which might help to overcome the withdrawal symptoms.
Also I'm sure there should be some medicine that will help overcome the antidepressant withdrawal effects.

please help

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
There is no safer medicine than antidepressant itself

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me.

In my knowledge there is no such medicine which can help you in withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants in safer way. I mean to say that they are there but not as safe as your own antidepressants. As you know necessity is mother of invention and in this regard there is no necessity as practically gradual tapering of antidepressant obviates the need for any such medication.

As I communicated earlier charcoal whether activated or inactivated do not have any role in withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants.

I hope this clarifies further.
Thanks again.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)

Thanks again for reverting.

One last question, its been 8 days since i have stopped taking the antidepressant,
and my withdrawal symptoms are not so severe, I feel little dizzy and heavy head,
will the withdrawal symptoms get severe day by day or will it disappear after few days?

also will paracetamol tablets like nice or nicip plus help to cope with heavy head and dizziness?

Please do let me know.

Thanks very much

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is good chance of decreasing intensity

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me.

I am not aware which antidepressant you are taking but baring three antidepressants there is propensity to decrease intensity of withdrawal symptoms after one week.

The most withdrawal symptoms disappear by one month but few may stay upto three months..

Yes lightheaded can get help with paracetamol.

I hope this assists you further.
Thanks and regards.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar