Hawk: tapering off fluoxetine / Prozac

[Hawk]

Hello

 

For the last year or so I have been thinking about tapering off fluoxetine. I have been taking 40mg a day for 7 years for anxiety, I was diagnosed a few months before I went on the medication with anxiety disorder. I went through 2-3 years of therapy, about six months into it I went on fluoxetine. 

At this point in my life I feel a lot better and I am in a different place than I was back when I needed the help and I want to come off it.

I want to see how I feel, and experience life, without the meds. I was thinking of lowering the dose with the 10% rule down to 20mg and stay on 20mg for a few months before I decide to completely taper off it.

 

The questions I have are: 

 

Is it best to use the 10% rule of tapering off? 

and for how long should I take to taper off it?

and what can withdrawal effects do people normally experience when they come off fluoxetine and how they handle it?

 

I take capsules and have a scale to measure the dosage .

 

Best regards  

[ChessieCat]

Hello Hawk and welcome to SA,

 

It is really good that you have decided to find out about tapering before you start.

 

Please create your drug signature following these instructions.  Include ALL drugs and supplements, current and past:

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature
Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

SA recommends tapering by no more than 10% of the current dose with a hold of about 4 weeks to allow for the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  This is a guideline, not a rule.  Some people might be able to taper faster, but it is better to taper slower than to risk going too fast.  It is important to listen to your body/symptoms and hold for longer if needed.  Some members find that as their dose gets lower they need to slow down, holding for longer and/or reducing by less, but you've got a long way to go before you need to be concerned about that.  Please also note that SA recommends getting to a very low dose before "jumping off".  The final jump is a 100% reduction!  I'm down to 0.56mg Pristiq and plan to get to 0.0?mg before stopping.

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Why taper paper: dose-occupancy curves

 

Tips for tapering off fluoxetine (Prozac)

 

When to end the taper and jump to zero?

 

Withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person and during a taper a person might experience a symptom, then they might get a different symptom and then it goes and the old symptom returns.  There is no rhyme, reason or rule to it.

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

SA strongly encourages members to learn and use Non-drug techniques. 

 

WDnormal

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

The only supplements which SA recommends are Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil.  Only make one change at a time; so you would not make a fluoxetine reduction and start a new supplement at the same time.  Try a small amount of one to see how you react.

 

the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable

 

There are many existing topics on SA.  Use an internet search engine and add site:survivingantidepressants.org to the search term.

 

This is your own Introduction topic which is the best place to ask questions about your own situation and to journal your progress.  The moderators regularly check for new posts by members in the Introduction forum.  Posts made elsewhere on the site may not be seen by a moderator.

 

Please continue to update us on how you are doing, even if your taper goes well.  The member Introduction topics are case studies which we hope that medical professionals can learn from.

 

Oh yes, and please update your drug signature so that it remains current.

[Hawk]

Thank you very much for your replay ChessieCat! I really do appreciate it, this helps out a lot!

Thank you 

 

Love&Respect Hawk