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What Are The Repercussions Of Stopping Lamictal And Zoloft Cold Turkey?
Question: Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I have a question about the same case. If the person who is taking mood stabilizer (Lamictal) and also an anti-depressant (Zoloft), and then decides to stop taking medications, what would be the possible outcomes of this decision? Also, what is usually done to a person who wants to try to stop taking his/her medications?
Recently, the psychiatrist that is involved in the case decided that my fiancé has cyclothymia instead of bipolar and general anxiety disorder.
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I have a question about the same case. If the person who is taking mood stabilizer (Lamictal) and also an anti-depressant (Zoloft), and then decides to stop taking medications, what would be the possible outcomes of this decision? Also, what is usually done to a person who wants to try to stop taking his/her medications?
Recently, the psychiatrist that is involved in the case decided that my fiancé has cyclothymia instead of bipolar and general anxiety disorder.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me and sorry for delayed reply.
I read your new post and understand your concerns about the ongoing illness with your partner.
Regarding discontinuation the worst possibility is flare up of original symptoms for which she was prescribed zoloft and lamictal. The another possibility is withdrawal symptoms of zoloft as well as lamictal. The withdrawal symptoms are likely to continue for a duration of three to four weeks to the maximum level and there is also possibility that they will remit in a duration of around one week.
The possibility of earlier situation (withdrawal symptoms for three to four weeks) is more likely as the duration of lamictal use is for last two years.
When there is need to stop these medications generally we as a psychiatrist taper down it slowly so there are no withdrawal symptoms. We also take care that there is no resurfacing of symptoms but repeatedly assessing the patient with clinical interviews and scoring of symptoms.
Although it is not part of your question but I am not convinced with diagnosis of cyclothymia as per the available details. I think there is need to discuss this point with her psychiatrist if you have access to him/her.
I hope this answers you.
Thanks and regards.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me and sorry for delayed reply.
I read your new post and understand your concerns about the ongoing illness with your partner.
Regarding discontinuation the worst possibility is flare up of original symptoms for which she was prescribed zoloft and lamictal. The another possibility is withdrawal symptoms of zoloft as well as lamictal. The withdrawal symptoms are likely to continue for a duration of three to four weeks to the maximum level and there is also possibility that they will remit in a duration of around one week.
The possibility of earlier situation (withdrawal symptoms for three to four weeks) is more likely as the duration of lamictal use is for last two years.
When there is need to stop these medications generally we as a psychiatrist taper down it slowly so there are no withdrawal symptoms. We also take care that there is no resurfacing of symptoms but repeatedly assessing the patient with clinical interviews and scoring of symptoms.
Although it is not part of your question but I am not convinced with diagnosis of cyclothymia as per the available details. I think there is need to discuss this point with her psychiatrist if you have access to him/her.
I hope this answers you.
Thanks and regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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