FeralCatman Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 This link is to a Neurology Journal for a study done in 1988 regarding withdrawal from Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Sodium Valproate (Depakote), and phenytoin. https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/jnnp/51/7/924.full.pdf Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 If you look at carbamazepine and valproic acid they are both sodium ion channel blockers. Though they are both chemically different they both have similar methods of action. There is no hard evidence of this but my guess would be since they are both sodium channel blockers that the withdrawal recommendations for valproic acid can probably be applied to carbamazepine. This is just a theory but since they seem to be similar medications procedures and expectations for withdrawal should be similar. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Informatio https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbamazepine Depakote (Valproic Acid) Information https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valproate Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted August 10, 2023 Author Share Posted August 10, 2023 These links about carbamazepine and other related drugs actually have nothing to do with withdrawal however they are still very useful information. Carbamazepine and its effect on the gut microbiome https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-14177-z https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651322013136 GI Adverse Effects https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1059131110003328 Antibiotic resistance https://www.nature.com/articles/s41396-018-0275-x/ Effects on kidney water absorption https://academic.oup.com/ndt/article/25/12/3840/1864942?login=false Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted August 10, 2023 Author Share Posted August 10, 2023 This is what the Physician's Desk Reference has to say about carbamazepine https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Carbamazepine-carbamazepine-3186 Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted August 20, 2023 Author Share Posted August 20, 2023 I was finally able to talk to someone who was knowledgeable about tegretol (Carbamazepine) as well as the withdrawal process for psych drugs and PWS. I was told that there really isn't much difference between Carbamazapine IR and Carbamazepine XR. The half life is the same and there is only at best a 15% difference in absorption rate. So switching from one form to the other shouldn't really be bad and I shouldn't notice any change at all. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted November 17, 2023 Author Share Posted November 17, 2023 Anyone with experience or information relating to coming off these medications please feel free to post what you have to add to the data. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted December 13, 2023 Author Share Posted December 13, 2023 If you are having trouble with histamine intolerance and are on Carbamazepine it is possible that it may be contributing to the issue. According to the following link Carbamazepine is what is know as a histamine liberator which means it has a tendency to cause the body to release additional histamine due to it's being known as a mast cell destabilizer. This will vary from person to person but it is something to consider. https://www.histaminintoleranz.ch/en/therapy_medicaments.html Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted January 1 Author Share Posted January 1 Here is a website showing the pharmacological data for carbamazepine in all of its forms. Here you can see there isn't a huge difference in the absorption rate of the immediate release versus the extended release any absorption times are actually somewhat unpredictable. https://www.medicine.com/drug/carbamazepine/hcp#pharmacology 1 Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 On 01/07/2024 I started my transition from brand name Tegretol XR 200mg twice daily to Generic Carbamazepine IR 200mg twice daily. I am noticing no differences whatsoever so far. I am in week 2. According to Dr. Horowitz and other references there is only a 15% difference in the absorption rate between XR and IR versions. It's not very much. Not even sure why they make an XR tablet. I am using the following procedure that requires obtaining a supply of 100mg brand name Tegretol XR tablets and 200 mg generic Carbamazepine IR tablets Week 1: a.m. - 100mg Tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. p.m - 2 100mg Tegretol XR tablets for 200mg total Week 2: a.m. - 100mg Tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. p.m. - 100mg Tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. Week 3: a.m. - 1 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet p.m. - 100mg tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. Week 4: a.m. - 1 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet p.m. - 1 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet Swap over is done - on to tapering starting at 5% as often as tolerated. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted January 28 Author Share Posted January 28 Here is the side effect profile according to drugs.com for Tegretol (Carbamazepine) https://www.drugs.com/sfx/tegretol-side-effects.html Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted February 3 Author Share Posted February 3 On 1/17/2024 at 8:13 AM, FeralCatman said: On 01/07/2024 I started my transition from brand name Tegretol XR 200mg twice daily to Generic Carbamazepine IR 200mg twice daily. I am noticing no differences whatsoever so far. I am in week 2. According to Dr. Horowitz and other references there is only a 15% difference in the absorption rate between XR and IR versions. It's not very much. Not even sure why they make an XR tablet. I am using the following procedure that requires obtaining a supply of 100mg brand name Tegretol XR tablets and 200 mg generic Carbamazepine IR tablets Week 1: a.m. - 100mg Tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. p.m - 2 100mg Tegretol XR tablets for 200mg total Week 2: a.m. - 100mg Tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. p.m. - 100mg Tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. Week 3: a.m. - 1 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet p.m. - 100mg tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. Week 4: a.m. - 1 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet p.m. - 1 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet Swap over is done - on to tapering starting at 5% as often as tolerated. I started the Third week of the crossover yesterday and still not noticing any difference so I think if I feel okay through the day today I'm just going to finish crossing over tonight and be done with it because it doesn't really seem to matter one way or the other which is a good thing and here's a post on my personal thread about all of this and what I experienced going through it. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 I have now completely swapped over to 100% generic carbamazepine immediate release and it went just fine and here is a post from my personal thread regarding that swap. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OreElect Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 On 1/17/2024 at 5:13 AM, FeralCatman said: On 01/07/2024 I started my transition from brand name Tegretol XR 200mg twice daily to Generic Carbamazepine IR 200mg twice daily. I am noticing no differences whatsoever so far. I am in week 2. According to Dr. Horowitz and other references there is only a 15% difference in the absorption rate between XR and IR versions. It's not very much. Not even sure why they make an XR tablet. I am using the following procedure that requires obtaining a supply of 100mg brand name Tegretol XR tablets and 200 mg generic Carbamazepine IR tablets Week 1: a.m. - 100mg Tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. p.m - 2 100mg Tegretol XR tablets for 200mg total Week 2: a.m. - 100mg Tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. p.m. - 100mg Tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. Week 3: a.m. - 1 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet p.m. - 100mg tegretol XR combined with 1/2 of a 200mg IR tablet (100mg) for 200mg total. Week 4: a.m. - 1 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet p.m. - 1 200mg Carbamazepine IR tablet Swap over is done - on to tapering starting at 5% as often as tolerated. Celexa 20mg after mental breakdown following a major trauma 1996. 5 year span of deep depression that switched into pacnic attacks. Celexa 40 mg from 1996 until 2010 and remained on 20mg where i was stable from 2001 til 2012. Tramatic Brain injury 2012. Seizures began 5 months after injury and began Keppra then to Tegretol XR. Clonazepam to shut mind off to sleep at night. Battling seizures and then another major trauma`s in the last 1.5 years. Physiciatrist upped my celexa to 60mg. Feeling of being numb and still Panic attack until currently Dec 2015. New Phychiatrist going for a change from Celexa to Prozac. Dropped 20 mg Celexa and added 20 Mg of Prozac. Stuck with that for the holidays to be over. Currently 10mg Celexa and 20mg prozac.Next week dropping the Celexa to 0. Dr says up the prozac to 40mg. Im thinking I dont want to do this.. I have a fear of going on the Prozac 40 mg to not have to deal with WD later after going through what the Celexa has been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OreElect Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 Hello and thanks for a tapering thread for Tegretol XR. I'm not new to tapering. I tapered off of Klonopin 2 years ago with a 33 month taper to completion. I am in year 6 of tapering off of Fluoxetine after 27 years. Currently at 6.4 mg tapering at 2% every 3-4 weeks. I am left with the Tegretol XR. I originally was on as much as 1200 mg, 600mg every 12 hours. I transitioned to 100mg XR tablet and over the last 3 years taking 1 100mg tablet every 24 hours. I have been in search of the next step to micro taper considering a transition to a tablet IR for to be able to micro taper. Any tips or shared experience greatly appreciated. 1 Celexa 20mg after mental breakdown following a major trauma 1996. 5 year span of deep depression that switched into pacnic attacks. Celexa 40 mg from 1996 until 2010 and remained on 20mg where i was stable from 2001 til 2012. Tramatic Brain injury 2012. Seizures began 5 months after injury and began Keppra then to Tegretol XR. Clonazepam to shut mind off to sleep at night. Battling seizures and then another major trauma`s in the last 1.5 years. Physiciatrist upped my celexa to 60mg. Feeling of being numb and still Panic attack until currently Dec 2015. New Phychiatrist going for a change from Celexa to Prozac. Dropped 20 mg Celexa and added 20 Mg of Prozac. Stuck with that for the holidays to be over. Currently 10mg Celexa and 20mg prozac.Next week dropping the Celexa to 0. Dr says up the prozac to 40mg. Im thinking I dont want to do this.. I have a fear of going on the Prozac 40 mg to not have to deal with WD later after going through what the Celexa has been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted February 13 Author Share Posted February 13 @OreElect Since 100 mg is the smallest tablet available in the XR formula you would just have to do a direct swap. In my case when swapping from the XR to the generic IR I didn't notice any difference at all and the XR formula isn't all that much different from the IR formula as far as absorption goes so I'm not even sure why they offer an XR. In any case if you scroll up through this thread you will see the procedure I used to transfer over. You could also check and see if they make the XR version in a capsule or a liquid and I seen to remember seeing something about that but off the top of my head I can't honestly remember but I would try looking that up. I spoke directly with Dr Horowitz via video and he said that Tegretol should not be all that difficult to come off of and he hasn't found anybody that had any problem doing it. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 @OreElect I looked it up and Tegretol XR does in fact come in a capsule and it says that if you have trouble swallowing the pills you can open the capsules and sprinkle it on something like applesauce. So you should also be able to taper it by removing beads but definitely look into that in more detail because I have not and I didn't find that switching from brand name Tegretol XR to generic carbamazepine immediate release made any difference one way or the other and the tablets are easier to taper and are cheaper. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-13503/tegretol-xr-oral/details Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OreElect Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 Thank you for your reply and information. Very helpful. Very little information out there. Makes sense to go with a taper-able friendly IR tablet or the capsule. I have been tapering for years a SSRI capsule and it's a pretty easy and controllable. Having tapered off Klonopin tablets, crushing and filling veggie capsules pretty easy to. Always a little fear of making a change but I am at that point it must be done to proceed. Thanks again. 1 Celexa 20mg after mental breakdown following a major trauma 1996. 5 year span of deep depression that switched into pacnic attacks. Celexa 40 mg from 1996 until 2010 and remained on 20mg where i was stable from 2001 til 2012. Tramatic Brain injury 2012. Seizures began 5 months after injury and began Keppra then to Tegretol XR. Clonazepam to shut mind off to sleep at night. Battling seizures and then another major trauma`s in the last 1.5 years. Physiciatrist upped my celexa to 60mg. Feeling of being numb and still Panic attack until currently Dec 2015. New Phychiatrist going for a change from Celexa to Prozac. Dropped 20 mg Celexa and added 20 Mg of Prozac. Stuck with that for the holidays to be over. Currently 10mg Celexa and 20mg prozac.Next week dropping the Celexa to 0. Dr says up the prozac to 40mg. Im thinking I dont want to do this.. I have a fear of going on the Prozac 40 mg to not have to deal with WD later after going through what the Celexa has been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 @OreElect As I said I talked to Dr Horowitz about all of this and he said generally speaking mood stabilizers like Tegretol are not the monsters to come off of like antidepressants and antipsychotics and benzodiazepines are so his expectation is that this taper should not be all that bad. The coaches I have talked to say the same basic thing and out of the mood stabilizers it seems like Lamictal is the one people tend to have the most trouble with for some reason. So after everything I've been through as you can imagine I'm still shaking in my boots but I have to do it because the med is making me sick so I will post an update once I know what this does to me and then you'll know. All I can say so far is switching from brand name Tegretol XR to generic carbamazepine IR didn't affect me one way or the other so hopefully the small drops I'm going to start with will be the same way. Since I'm Having side effects from it I'm definitely going to take it slow so that I don't over stress my body as it's trying to recover I've learned my lesson. Since I have thyroid issues possibly because of this medication in 3 months I'll have to get all my blood work done and see where I'm at and if I need to adjust my thyroid med then I'll have to hold for at least a month while I do that. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted February 23 Author Share Posted February 23 This link contains one post and then a follow-up post which are applicable to my Tegretol taper and Tegretol itself and the way it is metabolized. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 Here's my next update regarding my Tegretol taper. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 Taper UPDATE Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted March 2 Author Share Posted March 2 Taper Update Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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