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What Causes Sleeplessness, Tiredness And Dizziness After Reducing The Dosage Of Paxidep CR?
Question: hi, i was on paxidep 25 mg from 2011 nov onwards . recently my doc put me on 12.5 mg of paxidep for 1 month and now half of 12.5mg for 5 dys and alternate days for the next 5 dys . Along with taking half of 12.5 mg paxidep , i have been asked to take flunil 20mg as a cross tapering medicine. started this course since a week however, i am experiencing sleeplessness, tiredness, dizziness, stomach upsets , loss of apetite since 2 to 3 dys . is this because of paxidep withdrawal or taking up a new drug which is flunil . how long would the symptoms of paxidep last ? how effective is flunil and will i experience withdrawal symptoms post tapering ?
Brief Answer:
The symptoms seem to be due to the new medicine
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Paxidep contains paroxetine while flunil contains fluoxetine, both being of same category. Fluoxetine is slightly better than paroxetine. Fluoxetine is usually well tolerated but may cause the symptoms that you are currently facing. Sicne the symptoms seem to be due to the new medicine, you need to talk to your doctor whether it is justified to switch back to the previous medicine. Since the symptoms do not seem to be withdrawal symtoms I am skipping trying to answer your remaining questions.
Let me know if I could help you further.
Regards
The symptoms seem to be due to the new medicine
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Paxidep contains paroxetine while flunil contains fluoxetine, both being of same category. Fluoxetine is slightly better than paroxetine. Fluoxetine is usually well tolerated but may cause the symptoms that you are currently facing. Sicne the symptoms seem to be due to the new medicine, you need to talk to your doctor whether it is justified to switch back to the previous medicine. Since the symptoms do not seem to be withdrawal symtoms I am skipping trying to answer your remaining questions.
Let me know if I could help you further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What are generally the symptoms of paroxetine withdrawal ? i am sure i would experience symptoms of withdrawal of old med even when i have started a new medicine
Brief Answer:
Since the new medication has already been initiated, wait for a few weeks
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. On a second thought, the symptoms could perhaps also be due to paroxetine withdrawal although I find the likelihood it being due to fluoxetine somewhat more. I am listing the possible withdrawal symptoms below:
Frequently Reported Symptoms:
Intense sleeplessness
extraordinarily vivid dreams
extreme confusion during waking hours
intense fear of losing your sanity
steady feeling of existing outside of reality as you know it (referred to as depersonalization at times)
memory and concentration problems
Panic Attacks (even if you never had one before)
severe mood swings, esp. heightened irritability / anger
suicidal thoughts (in extreme cases)
an unconventional dizziness/ vertigo
the feeling of shocks, similar to mild electric one, running the length of your body
an unsteady gait
slurred speech
headaches
profuse sweating, especially at night
muscle cramps
blurred vision
breaking out in tears
hypersensitivity to motion, sounds, smells
decreased appetite
nausea
abdominal cramping, diarrhea
loss of appetite
chills/ hot flashes
Less Frequently Reported Symptoms
fainting
'scratching sound' inside one's head
constant white noise in the ears
tingling sensation in cheeks, lips, tongue and surrounding areas.
heart palpitations or chest pain
swollen and sore eyes
fatigue
extremely localized, bursting headaches
lump in throat
rash / dry, flaky and irritated skin
grinding of teeth
difficulty swallowing
itchiness
The duration of the withdrawal process varies from individual to individual but is usually worse over the first two weeks.
Regards
Since the new medication has already been initiated, wait for a few weeks
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. On a second thought, the symptoms could perhaps also be due to paroxetine withdrawal although I find the likelihood it being due to fluoxetine somewhat more. I am listing the possible withdrawal symptoms below:
Frequently Reported Symptoms:
Intense sleeplessness
extraordinarily vivid dreams
extreme confusion during waking hours
intense fear of losing your sanity
steady feeling of existing outside of reality as you know it (referred to as depersonalization at times)
memory and concentration problems
Panic Attacks (even if you never had one before)
severe mood swings, esp. heightened irritability / anger
suicidal thoughts (in extreme cases)
an unconventional dizziness/ vertigo
the feeling of shocks, similar to mild electric one, running the length of your body
an unsteady gait
slurred speech
headaches
profuse sweating, especially at night
muscle cramps
blurred vision
breaking out in tears
hypersensitivity to motion, sounds, smells
decreased appetite
nausea
abdominal cramping, diarrhea
loss of appetite
chills/ hot flashes
Less Frequently Reported Symptoms
fainting
'scratching sound' inside one's head
constant white noise in the ears
tingling sensation in cheeks, lips, tongue and surrounding areas.
heart palpitations or chest pain
swollen and sore eyes
fatigue
extremely localized, bursting headaches
lump in throat
rash / dry, flaky and irritated skin
grinding of teeth
difficulty swallowing
itchiness
The duration of the withdrawal process varies from individual to individual but is usually worse over the first two weeks.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thanks, could you tell me what should i do to find some relief from these symptoms ? i know there is no cure until i wait for sometime but if there are any temporary relief measures do let me know . how long would i be experiencing these symptoms ?
Brief Answer:
Increasing the dose of paxidep slightly can perhaps provide relief
Detailed Answer:
I understand your situation. You can take medicines for symptomatic relief. You can take sleep medication like alprazolam or clobazam but these are prescription medicines and you would need your doctor to write them down for you. About the other symtoms, not much can be done perhaps. I hope that increasing the dose of paxidep to 12.5 mg daily (asuming that you are on 12.5 mg alternate day) can perhaps improve your situation.
Your symptoms should gradually improve over the next few weeks.
Regards
Increasing the dose of paxidep slightly can perhaps provide relief
Detailed Answer:
I understand your situation. You can take medicines for symptomatic relief. You can take sleep medication like alprazolam or clobazam but these are prescription medicines and you would need your doctor to write them down for you. About the other symtoms, not much can be done perhaps. I hope that increasing the dose of paxidep to 12.5 mg daily (asuming that you are on 12.5 mg alternate day) can perhaps improve your situation.
Your symptoms should gradually improve over the next few weeks.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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