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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Came Off Antidepressants, Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms. How To Ease Them?

Hi, I have recently come off a long course of antidepressants. Namely Lexapro , an SSRI. I am experiencing horrid withdrawal symptoms, similar to vertigo - dizzyness and bodyshock sensations. What can I take to ease these symptoms, and how long will the symptoms last? I was on Lexapro for almost a year, 40mg every day, and I stopped taking them three days ago. Can I take diphenhydramine or cinnarzine to help?
Thu, 11 Jul 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
This is always a problem when antidepressants are stopped cold turkey after using them for many months or years.
Ideally withdrawing from such type of drugs is a very slow method and has to be done in a disciplined way.
You should have withdrawn from drug by reducing it by 5 mg every month so that your body gets adjusted to slightly lower dose.
Although such method would have taken a year from complete withdrawl,but ou would have done it without any complication.
You can still do it and start taking 35 mg daily and then reduce it as suggested above.
Thanks
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Came Off Antidepressants, Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms. How To Ease Them?

Hello, This is always a problem when antidepressants are stopped cold turkey after using them for many months or years. Ideally withdrawing from such type of drugs is a very slow method and has to be done in a disciplined way. You should have withdrawn from drug by reducing it by 5 mg every month so that your body gets adjusted to slightly lower dose. Although such method would have taken a year from complete withdrawl,but ou would have done it without any complication. You can still do it and start taking 35 mg daily and then reduce it as suggested above. Thanks