HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Suggest Ways To Wean Off Duzela

Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015

Question: Dear Doctor,

I was taking Duzela 60 mg once daily for depression. As i am relocated and couldn't meet my prescribing doctor in person i talked to her over phone. My doctor said as i am going to get married (in 2 months) Duzela has a side effect of sexual dysfunction and she gave an alternative for discontinuing duzela. She asked me to take Buperon XL 150 mg (Bupropion Hydrochloride) along with 40 mg of Duzela then she would tapper duzela to 20 mg with 300mg of Buperon XL, then discontinue duzela. But she didnt say anything about stopping Buperon XL as of now.
But, also said i am perfectly alright now and i feel the same. And personally i dont want to take any drugs after my marriage as i am perfectly alright now. So my question is without taking Buperon XL can i tapper Duzela and stop taking Duzela. And also i would like to know for what she asked me to take a new drug Buperon XL. Also how to discontinue duzela safely.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can taper duzela safely as mentioned below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

According to some guidelines if it is first episode of depression , one can reduce and stop anti depressant medicines after 3 months of complete stability.

If your depression is better and you are almost 100% stable since 3 months you can stop duzela gradually as your doctor mentioned.

She might have told you to start burpon XL to be on safer side that your depression should not recur.The best answer only she can provide that why she suggested that.

You can reduce 20 mg duzela every 2 weeks. If you go for tapering off and after 4 weeks when you are on 20 mg duloxetine try to reduce to 10 mg for 2 weeks and then stop.Some formation of duloxetine available in tablet form which is scored and you can brake in half.

And yes Duzela can cause some sexual dysfunction but not as much as like SSRI medicines. So no need to worry about that aspect.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (16 minutes later)

Dear Doctor,

Also i am taking Asenapt 7.5 mg once daily before bed. After i stop taking duzela(after 2 months) can i tapper Asenapt and discontinue Asenapt or what is the safe way to discontinue asenapt.

Note : My first episode of depresion was due to Losing my job. But Now i am currently doing my own business and also i am going to get married soon. So i dont have any depression now.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes you can taper off asenapt safely

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing back.

Asenapt is rarely used in depression. I can not understand why it was used. But in stopping it there is no likely discomfort as can occur with duzela.

You can just stop it by reducing 2.5mg dose every week. Means first take 5 mg for a week and then 2.5 mg a week and then stop. When to stop is best judged by prescribing doctor. As prescribing doctor can understand better that for the indication it was given is fulfilled or not.

If still any query there, I will be happy to answer. If not, you can close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback and rating so I can improve service. In future you can contact me directly on this site if you wish with this link:
http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
by clicking on 'Ask me a question' on same page.

Best wishes for marriage and good health.
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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

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