
What Are The Side Effects Of Stopping Paxil Cold Turkey?

Question: What are the symptoms of cold turkey withdrawal from Paxil that I have been on for 12 years?
Brief Answer:
They are variable from person to person
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
Paxil should not be stopped cold turkey as it is likely to cause withdrawal symptoms.
The symptoms include
1. Restless
2. Irritability
3. Numbness,
4. Paraesthetic sensation
5. Bad and scary dreams
6. Muscle twitching and jerky movements
7. Insomnia and many others.
I hope this answers you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
They are variable from person to person
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
Paxil should not be stopped cold turkey as it is likely to cause withdrawal symptoms.
The symptoms include
1. Restless
2. Irritability
3. Numbness,
4. Paraesthetic sensation
5. Bad and scary dreams
6. Muscle twitching and jerky movements
7. Insomnia and many others.
I hope this answers you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad


I a suffering from most of the withdrawal symptoms you have listed. What recourse do I have? Should I start the Paxil again? How long do I have to "weather the storm" if I stay off the Paxil?
Brief Answer:
They will last for almost two weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
The decision to restart paxil depends on the severity of the condition. If they are intolerable I think there is need to restart the paxil and half the original dose will be sufficient.
In case they are tolerable they are likely to continue for more than one week but often around two weeks and never more than one month.
They are no short cuts to "whether the storm" in addition to above two options.
I hope this helps you further.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
They will last for almost two weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
The decision to restart paxil depends on the severity of the condition. If they are intolerable I think there is need to restart the paxil and half the original dose will be sufficient.
In case they are tolerable they are likely to continue for more than one week but often around two weeks and never more than one month.
They are no short cuts to "whether the storm" in addition to above two options.
I hope this helps you further.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

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