Slm0621: Intro - tapering off Buspar

[Slm0621]

I’m currently tapering off Buspar, from 10mg once daily, on day two of 5mg once daily.

 

I woke up so dizzy and nauseous today that I could barely stand up.

 

going from 10mg down to 5mg was at my doctors suggestion but I’m wondering now if it’s too fast and if I should be going slower, especially since I have been on it for so long. My doctor seems to think this is any easy drug to come off of but I’m doubting his experience with it now as he is just a family practitioner and I’ve only been a patient with him for 2 years.

 

so basically looking for opinions on best way to taper off. Also looking for suggestions on what may help me cope with the dizziness and nausea, especially since nausea/vomiting is one of the main reasons I went on this med to begin with (to treat anxiety and cyclical vomiting syndrome)

 

[Gridley]

Hello, Sim0621, and welcome to SA.

 

To start, in order to give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

At Surviving Antidepressants, it is recommended that a person taper by no more than 10% of their current dose with at least a four week hold in-between decreases.  The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.  Some people may have to taper at a more conservative rate as they are sensitive to even the smallest drops.  Your taper of 50% was far too fast.  

  

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Brain Remodelling

 

Tips for tapering off busipirone (Buspar)

 

Since this is only the second day of your taper, I would recommend that you reinstate today back up to your original 10mg and wait until you stabilize.  Then begin a 10% taper as described in the link above, "Why taper by 10% of my dosage?"  Your first taper will be 10% of 10mg -- 1mg.  So (and this is only after you stabilize) your first drop will be to 9 mg.  There are several ways to create nonstandard doses, including cutting the tablets, using a scale and making your own liquid.  These are described in the link above, "Tips for tapering off Buspar"

 

Please keep us updated on how you are doing.

 

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Slm.

 

You have withdrawal symptoms from reducing from 10mg to 5mg per day. If I were you, I'd go back to 3/4 of a tablet or 7.5mg. Take the half-tablet in place of the 5mg you dropped.

 

Let your nervous system settle down for some weeks. Then, you may wish to taper more slowly from 7.5mg. As Gridley recommended, Tips for tapering off busipirone (Buspar) will explain how to do this.