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Tips for tapering off bupropion (Wellbutrin, IR, SR, XR, XL, Zyban)


Altostrata

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Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an atypical antidepressant with a lower reported rate of withdrawal syndrome compared to the SSRIs and SNRIs such as Paxil, Effexor, or Cymbalta.

However, patients have reported withdrawal symptoms, sometimes severe, from too-short tapering.

Bupropion is a bit of an oddball because it "is thought to be" a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and a nicotinic receptor antagonist, which is why it is sometimes used to help people stop smoking - Zyban.
 
Bupropion adverse effects
Bupropion has been found to cause suicidal thoughts or actions and displays an FDA black box warning accordingly. (Zyban, a variation of bupropion SR, also displays this warning, as does Chantix, another smoking cessation aid.) 

Bupropion tends to be energizing and often causes anxiety, agitation, nervousness, loss of appetite, and insomnia as side effects. Bupropion usually is not an appropriate treatment for withdrawal symptoms, as it can aggravate them.
 
While it is less likely to cause sexual dysfunction like other antidepressants, other side effects are: lowers the seizure threshold (very bad for brain zaps), increases blood pressure, tremors, tinnitus, unusual behaviour changes, agitation, and hostility.
 
Bupropion as an adjunct to antidepressants to counter sexual side effects
Way back in ancient history, around the year 2000, it became apparent these fabulous wonder drugs, the SSRIs, which were supposed to alleviate depression with almost no side effects, had a huge drawback that might slow sales: They caused sexual dysfunction in a high percentage of those who took them.
 
This caused great consternation among the pharmaceutical companies, who went through varying cycles of denying that sexual dysfunction was a frequent consequence of SSRIs, claiming the sexual dysfunction was due to the underlying depression, and searching for pharmaceutical solutions to this adverse effect.
 
It was also observed that bupropion had fewer sexual side effects and that some patients found it sexually stimulating. Seizing the opportunity to preserve their sales, the drug companies initiated campaigns to educate doctors that, in the rare cases where sexual dysfunction was a problem, bupropion might be added to an SSRI to alleviate the problem.
 
It did seem to help some, but its usefulness for this purpose is mostly a product of drug company propaganda. Also, to preserve sales of SSRIs, the drug companies neglected to inform doctors that being an antidepressant itself, Wellbutrin might replace the SSRI, and there was no reason to keep people on two drugs when one drug would do.
 
(Later, when Viagra and Cialis became available, much research and furor was generated to recommend them as adjuncts to SSRIs -- adding yet another profitable drug. Alas, they proved to be ineffective for women.)
 
Bupropion, unfortunately, comes with a few common adverse effects of its own, such as jitteriness, agitation, nervousness, anxiety, fast heartbeat, and sleeplessness. Doctors were advised to add benzodiazepines to the mix for these symptoms. (Later, these symptoms were judged to be possible symptoms of bipolar disorder, indicated the addition of antipsychotics such as Seroquel.)
 
This ushered in the era of the common combination of an SSRI, bupropion, and a benzo (or low-dose Seroquel) for many people complaining of any kind of "depression." As all of these drugs incur physiological dependency, this cocktail is very well represented on this site.
 
But some doctors noticed bupropion was also an antidepressant as effective or ineffective as any other, without the sexual side effects. They began to prescribe bupropion first, before resorting to an SSRI. Wellbutrin or its generic bupropion is a very popular antidepressant. And that is why our Tips for tapering off Wellbutrin, IR, SR, XR, XL (bupropion) is the most frequently viewed topic in the Tapering forum. (Tips for tapering off Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) is a distant second, probably because tapering Pristiq is so difficult.)
 
There are 3 buproprion formulations: IR, SR, XL or XR
Name-brand Wellbutrin or generic bupropion is available in 3 variations with different half-lives -- the amount of time they last in your body (see below).
 
From the manufacturers' and the FDA's information (see below), the different versions are bio-equivalent. The only difference is the frequency of the dosage:

  • Immediate release (IR): 3 times a day dosing Available in generic in 75 mg, 100 mg tablets
  • Sustained release (SR): 2 times a day dosing Available in 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg sustained-release tablets
  • Extended release (XR or XL): Once a day dosing Available in 150 mg, 300 mg capsules (brand-name only); 450mg generic

 

Name-brand Wellbutrin XL was first manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline but is currently manufactured by Bausch Health. Name-brand Wellbutrin IR and Wellbutrin SR is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and others; the immediate-release formulation is carried in the US but may not be available in other countries.

 

Zyban is a version of 150mg bupropion SR, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline in the US and Bausch Health in Canada.

 

Generic manufacturers also make their own versions of IR, SR, and XR or XL bupropion.
 
Problems with generic versions of bupropion

Many pharmacies will fill bupropion prescriptions with various generic brands. There may be slight differences in formulation between brand-name Wellbutrin and the generic versions, and among the generic versions. For exact information about formulation of a generic version, you would have to contact the generic manufacturer.

 

Usually, these variations do not cause problems, but in a scandal that culminated in 2013, several generic bupropion XL 300mg were removed from the market because they failed bioequivalency tests.
 
Bupropion half-lives
It is metabolized by P450 cyp2B6 liver enzyme, and conflicts with alcohol metabolism. Its half-life is complicated because it has a number of active metabolites and various versions that prolong release of the active ingredient.
 
From http://psychopharmacologyinstitute.com/antidepressants/bupropion-psychopharmacology/

 

Bupropion formulations.png
 
How gradually should I taper buproprion?
There is little information about tapering off Wellbutrin, probably because it is assumed not much of a taper is needed.

As with all other psychiatric medications, do not skip doses to taper. If you're susceptible to withdrawal symptoms, this is an excellent way to trigger them.
 
Start with a 10% reduction per month, as we recommend with other antidepresssants. Base your decrease on the last dosage: The amount of the decrease keeps getting smaller.
 
If you find 10%-per-month decreases cause no problem, you may wish to make them more often -- but no more often than every 2 weeks. If you get any kind of withdrawal symptom, stop tapering! You are either tapering too fast or making reductions that are too large.

(Personally, I found a 50mg taper per week to be sufficiently gradual. I had been taking 150mg-200mg for about a year and had serious adverse effects:  blood pressure spikes. Although I had Paxil withdrawal syndrome at the time, quitting Wellbutrin in this fashion did not increase my symptoms. Getting off Wellbutrin was a relief. I found ramping up on it a lot harder.)

 

If you are taking the extended-release (XR)  form, you will want to taper as low as possible using a combination of the XR tablets and SR tablets, finally ending up with immediate-release tablets at the end. If necessary, you can make a liquid of the IR tablets, you can't make a liquid of the others. (See details below.)
 
How to taper off Wellbutrin XR or XL or Budeprion XL (extended release)
From FDA information Wellbutrin: http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=c7b80939-0b2d-4dbc-b921-2081cfd5ae3e
- Available as brand-name Wellbutrin XR or XL in 150 mg, 300 mg extended-release tablets; 450mg in generic
- To be taken once a day. This is equivalent to 3-times daily immediate-release buproprion or twice-daily bupropion SR.

 

Quote

Switching Patients from WELLBUTRIN Tablets or from WELLBUTRIN SR Sustained-Release Tablets: When switching patients from WELLBUTRIN Tablets to WELLBUTRIN XL or from WELLBUTRIN SR Sustained-Release Tablets to WELLBUTRIN XL, give the same total daily dose when possible. Patients who are currently being treated with WELLBUTRIN Tablets at 300 mg/day (for example, 100 mg 3 times a day) may be switched to WELLBUTRIN XL 300 mg once daily. Patients who are currently being treated with WELLBUTRIN SR Sustained-Release Tablets at 300 mg/day (for example, 150 mg twice daily) may be switched to WELLBUTRIN XL 300 mg once daily.

 

From the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline http://public.gsk.com/products/wellbutrin-xr/further-information/
 

Quote

What WELLBUTRIN XR contains

The active substance is bupropion hydrochloride. WELLBUTRIN XR tablets come in different strengths. Each tablet contains either 150mg or 300mg of bupropion hydrochloride.

The other ingredients are:
- tablet core: polyvinyl alcohol, glyceryl dibehenate
- tablet coating: ethyl cellulose, povidone K-90, macrogol 1450, methacrylic acid ethyl ecrylate copolymer dispersion, silicon dioxide, triethyl citrate
- printing ink: shellac glaze, iron oxide black (E172) and ammonium hydroxide.

 

If you cut up Wellbutrin or bupropion XR, what's inside is regular immediate-release bupropion. When you break the time-release coating, the tablet loses its extended-release characteristic and you would be taking immediate-release bupropion.

 

According to GSK regarding Wellbutrin XL http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_wellbutrinXL.pdf:
 

Quote

For patients taking 300 mg/day....the dose should be tapered to 150 mg/day for 2 weeks prior to discontinuation.

This suggests a taper of 50% for two weeks, then quit at 150mg. We recommend a more gradual taper than this.

Tapering methods for extended-release versions:

  • Cut up Wellbutrin XL or XR tablets
    If you cut up a Wellbutrin XL or XR tablet, you get immediate-release bupropion.

    Since the smallest XL/XR tablet is 150mg, we recommend converting to bupropion SR or immediate-release bupropion so you can cut up the tablets to make reductions by 25mg or less.

    If you cut up a 150mg or 300mg XL/XR tablet into quarters to taper, you will need to take some 3 times a day, as it's become immediate-release bupropion. (We do not recommend tapering this fast, do this at your own risk.)
  • Switch from Wellbutrin XR/XL to other types of bupropion
    This may be a little bumpy at first. A switch from XR/XL to SR probably would be smoother than a switch to immediate-release bupropion. (See Example: Tapering off 300mg Wellbutrin XL, below.)
    • Switch to the SR version and cut up tablets, take 2x a day
    • Switch to the immediate-release version and cut up tablets or, for lower dosing, make a liquid with water, take 3x a day
  • How to taper off Budeprion XL (extended release)
    From FDA information: http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=2ab4878e-cbe0-46f8-a9fc-e70945a352ed
    - Available as brand-name only (Budeprion XL) in 150 mg extended-release tablets
    - To be taken once a day. This is equivalent to 3-times daily immediate-release bupropion or twice-daily bupropion SR.

    Same as tapering Wellbutrin XL or XR, above.

 

Example: Tapering off 300mg Wellbutrin XL
Remember that if you cut up a Wellbutrin XL or XR tablet, you get immediate-release bupropion. You probably will not want to do that right off. If your system is used to the extended-release version, it may not react well to the "dumping" of immediate-release.
 
Probably the easiest way to go off 300mg Wellbutrin XL is to get your prescription filled with 150mg Wellbutrin XL tablets and 75mg Wellbutrin IR (immediate-release) tablets. (The prescription would be written for "one 150mg Wellbutrin XL tablet and two 75mg Wellbutrin IR tablets per day, taken in divided doses, for a total of 300mg per day.")
 
By cutting the 75mg IR tablets in quarters, you can taper by a smaller amount than 10%, approximately 18.75mg (splitting tablets is not as precise as using a liquid). for the first part of the taper, you can remove one-quarter of a 75mg tablet at each step.
 
As you are tapering by less than 10%, you may be able to go faster than monthly decreases. The minimum tapering interval we recommend is every 2 weeks.
 
For example, to taper from 300mg Wellbutrin XL:
 
Reduction 1: 281.25mg per day -- a 150mg Wellbutrin XL tablet in the morning, a 75mg Wellbutrin IR tablet in the afternoon, and 3/4 of the second Wellbutrin IR tablet in the evening.
 
Reduction 2: 262.5mg per day -- a 150mg Wellbutrin XL tablet in the morning, a 75mg Wellbutrin IR tablet in the afternoon, and 2/4 of the second Wellbutrin IR tablet in the evening.
 
Reduction 3: 243.75mg per day -- a 150mg Wellbutrin XL tablet in the morning, a 75mg Wellbutrin IR tablet in the afternoon, and 1/4 of the second Wellbutrin IR tablet in the evening.
 
As you're down to 1/4 of a tablet in the evening, you may wish to take the next quarter out of the first 75mg tablet to balance your daily dose.
 
Reduction 4: 225mg per day -- a 150mg Wellbutrin XL tablet in the morning, 3/4 of 75mg Wellbutrin IR tablet in the afternoon, and 1/4 of a Wellbutrin IR tablet in the evening.
 
Reduction 5: 206.25mg per day -- a 150mg Wellbutrin XL tablet in the morning, 2/4 of 75mg Wellbutrin IR tablet in the afternoon, and 1/4 of a Wellbutrin IR tablet in the evening.
 
Reduction 6: 187.5mg per day -- a 150mg Wellbutrin XL tablet in the morning, 1/4 of 75mg Wellbutrin IR tablet in the afternoon, and 1/4 of a Wellbutrin IR tablet in the evening.
 
Reduction 7: 168.75mg per day -- a 150mg Wellbutrin XL tablet in the morning, 1/4 of 75mg Wellbutrin IR tablet in the late afternoon.
 
Reduction 8: 150mg per day -- a 150mg Wellbutrin XL tablet in the morning.
 
After you are down to 150mg per day, you may wish to make your next decrease by getting your prescription filled with 100 mg Wellbutrin SR (sustained-release) tablets and 100mg Wellbutrin IR (immediate-release) tablets. (The prescription would be written for "one 100mg Wellbutrin SR tablet in the a.m. and one 100mg Wellbutrin IR tablet in the p.m., for a total of 200mg per day.")
 
Then you would make a liquid from the 100mg Wellbutrin IR tablet to make further reductions of 10% (based on current dosage; the amount of the decrease gets smaller and smaller) until you are down to one 100mg Wellbutrin SR per day.
 
After you are down to 100mg per day, you may wish to make your next decrease by getting your prescription filled with 100mg Wellbutrin IR (immediate-release) tablets (or use the ones you have left) and make a liquid from them to continue tapering at 10%.
 
To make a liquid from immediate-release bupropion:

 

How to taper off bupropion SR (sustained release)
From FDA information: http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=b5d286ce-e23f-4dde-b400-cb4832172ece
- Available as brand-name or generic in 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg sustained-release tablets
- To be taken twice daily, "at least 8 hours between successive doses." (This is equivalent to 3-times daily immediate-release bupropion.)

According to Merck http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/print/lexicomp/bupropion.html
 

Quote

"Data from the manufacturer states that dividing Wellbutrin SR® tablets resulted in an increased rate of release at 15 minutes: “However, the divided tablet retained its sustained-release characteristics with similar increases of released bupropion at each sampling point beyond 15 minutes when compared to the intact Wellbutrin SR® tablet...” Bupropion is hydroscopic and therefore should be stored in a dry place. Splitting of large quantities in advance of administration is not advised since loss of potency may result. If necessary, splitting should be done cleanly without crushing."

 
In the name-brand Wellbutrin SR, the sustained-release quality is in the binder, the glue that holds the tablet together. Generic versions (which would be called bupropion SR, not Wellbutrin SR) may be made differently. Contact the manufacturer to find out exactly how the tablet is formulated, or talk to a pharmacist specializing in psychopharmacology.
 
I personally found you CAN cut Wellbutrin SR (sustained release) tablets up -- the timed-release mechanism is mixed in with the drug. Put the pieces in a water-tight container and use them up within 24 hours because the time-release binder can absorb humidity and degrade.

For a short time, I cut up generic 100mg bupropion SR and took 50mg in the morning, Wellbutrin XL 150mg a couple of hours later, and another SR 50mg in the early evening for a total of 250mg/day. (I never tolerated Wellbutrin very well.)

To taper, convert your dosage to 100mg SR tablets, cut up the 100mg tablets, make reductions by 25mg or less, take 2 times a day.
 
(Note: If you cut an SR tablet in very small fragments or crush it, it won't to continue to be sustained-release -- the binder is extensively damaged. Take in divided doses as though it was immediate-release.)

Taper with a mix of sustained-release (SR) and immediate-release (IR) tablets
As immediate-release tablets come in the smallest dosage of 75mg, which can be quartered into pieces of 18.75mg, you might want to convert part of your daily dose to IR tablets.

This will enable you to taper by 18.75mg at a time.

You might be able to get by with taking the SR tablet in the morning and the IR tablet at night.
 
Taper with immediate-release bupropion
From FDA information: http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=9251cc4c-33c5-e05c-9b8d-647855c53dbb
- Available in generic form as 75 mg, 100 mg immediate-release tablets
- Half-life of 10 hours, plus some extension with the active metabolites, for a total half-life expressed as 21 (±9) hours
- "Bupropion should be administered 3 times daily, preferably with at least 6 hours between successive doses."

To taper, cut a 75mg or 100mg tablet into quarters, make reductions by 18.75mg-25mg, take 2 or 3 times a day.
 
If you get withdrawal symptoms at any point, slow down.
 
Taper with a liquid

Using a liquid for tapering is very convenient, especially if you wish to taper more cautiously. Using a liquid to taper makes measuring very small decreases much easier and precise.

 

You can only make a liquid from immediate-release buproprion (the other types contain binders that will not dissolve well):

 

Using a combination of tablets or capsules and liquid

Rather than switch directly to an all-liquid dose, you may wish to take part of your dose in liquid and part in lower-dose tablets or capsules, gradually converting to all liquid as you get to lower dosages. This can be very convenient and reduce any problems switching from one form of the drug to another.

 

If your doctor prescribes compounded liquid and tablets or capsules at the same time, most likely he or she will have to indicate "divided doses" in the prescriptions to get the drugs covered by insurance.

 

Weigh capsule fragments with a digital scale
If you can't do any of the above, you may wish to cut up tablets and weigh the fragments with a digital scale to control your tapering rate. This could apply to any type of bupropion -- remember that, when cut up, an XR tablet becomes immediate-release and an SR tablet may retain some of its sustained-release quality.
 
See Using a digital scale to measure doses

 

 

Edited by Altostrata
updated

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 8 months later...
  • Administrator

http://www.healthcentral.com/druglibrary/408/wellbutrin_sr-clinical_pharmacology.html

 

Wellbutrin SR - Clinical Pharmacology

 

....

Pharmacokinetics:

 

Bupropion is a racemic mixture. The pharmacologic activity and pharmacokinetics of the individual enantiomers have not been studied. The mean elimination half-life (± SD) of bupropion after chronic dosing is 21 (± 9) hours, and steady-state plasma concentrations of bupropion are reached within 8 days.

 

In a study comparing chronic dosing with WELLBUTRIN SR Tablets 150 mg twice daily to the immediate-release formulation of bupropion at 100 mg 3 times daily, peak plasma concentrations of bupropion at steady state for WELLBUTRIN SR ® (bupropion hydrochloride) Sustained-Release Tablets were approximately 85% of those achieved with the immediate-release formulation. There was equivalence for bupropion AUCs, as well as equivalence for both peak plasma concentration and AUCs for all 3 of the detectable bupropion metabolites. Thus, at steady state, WELLBUTRIN SR Tablets, given twice daily, and the immediate-release formulation of bupropion, given 3 times daily, are essentially bioequivalent for both bupropion and the 3 quantitatively important metabolites.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 6 months later...

TEVA generic of Wellbutrin XL deemed ineffective by FDA. Shipments stopped.

 

"Patients with a prescription for Budeprion XL 300 should contact their doctor for instructions on how to proceed, the FDA said."

Budeprion is TEVA generic name for Wellbutrin/bupropion.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3060-fda-says-teva-generic-of-wellbutrin-budeprion-xl-form-of-bupropion-ineffective/page__pid__33582#entry33582

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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  • 2 months later...

I have been taking welburtin (bupropion) 150 mg for nine months and I am planning on tapering off of it.. since it is one of the weaker antideppresant is 10% still necessary? I was reading a post and the person that wrote it said that they reduced 50 mg a weak.. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Diana

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Really that's like asking "how long is a piece of string" because the thing is, we're all different, some can taper off a drug relatively fast or even cold turkey (but that's not recommended) whilst others, like me and many others can take years. I would suggest making a 10% cut to start with and wait for a few weeks and listen to what your body/nervous system is telling you. If you start to feel rubbish, you maybe made too big a cut. Never make another cut in dose until you feel really well or you end up compounding withdrawals. There is lots of info pinned at the top of the taper forum which you might want to read, but here's a really useful article to start with: http://beyondmeds.com/2012/02/13/taper10percent/

 

I don't personally know much about wellbutrin so hopefully someone who does might have something to say about it.

*** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***





http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/
Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007.
Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. 

A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

*** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***





http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/
Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007.
Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. 

A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido.

 

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I have been taking welburtin (bupropion) 150 mg for nine months and I am planning on tapering off of it.. since it is one of the weaker antideppresant is 10% still necessary? I was reading a post and the person that wrote it said that they reduced 50 mg a weak.. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Diana

 

Hi Diana,

 

When I was on 300mg Wellbutrin XL, initially, I used a compound pharmacy to taper it. Fortunately, I had a good one as they got the ingredients right in spite of my psychiatrist's concern that they couldn't replicate the medication.

 

I was also fortunate to have decent insurance coverage at the time. Many insurance companies will not cover compound prescriptions so your mileage will vary.

 

I just found having one alot easier than worry about how much to take and when to take it. It seemed like a royal pain in the neck:)

 

Anyway, as about 200mg, I decided to see if using the supplements of chlorella and spirilina would help me cold turkey it. For some reason, I thought they would be helpful and I was right. After a day of being tired, I didn't have any symptoms.

 

Of course, what I did as a method of cold turkeying has not been proven so if you try it, you would be doing it at your own risk.

 

Good luck.

 

CS

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

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Thank you everybody for the advice.. Yes we are all very dif.. I found this out when I quit cold turkey smoking almost a year ago and that was not fun at all...Thank you so much.. I am very nervous about all of this, but i really need to get off of this medication.. I am planning on getting pregnant... Thank you strawberry for finding this thread for me and thank you CS for sharing your experience I really hope that I i can come off of this with out any wd symptoms... I had a questions for the admin.. on top of this discussion it stated that this medication is sometimes used for smoking cessation.. it also says that it should not be used for WD symptoms because it can aggrivate the symptoms were you speaking about quiting smoking wd symptoms?

 

 

Thanks again guys,

 

Diana

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Wellbutrin can aggravate psychiatric drug withdrawal symptoms. It has a stimulating component.

 

Listen to your body, you should be able to go off Wellbutrin with systematic tapering.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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thank you for your prompt response.. I will be sure to post an update... I went to the doctors office and I feel confident in the way we are going to be tapering off of it..

 

thanks,

 

Diana

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  • 1 month later...

I feel like a real weenie, but I am having (manageable) WD symptoms on my second cut of Wellbutrin, as well as the first. So I'm going to have to find a way to accurately take smaller, more accurate doses. Do you think I should weigh fragments of the SR tablet with twice daily dosing, or make a solution of immediate-release tablets to take three times a day (major pain in neck)? Or is there another option?

 

Thanks,

Meimeiquest

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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*** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***





http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/
Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007.
Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. 

A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido.

 

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BTW not a weenie at all, very sensible.

Not sure about twice or thrice daily doses though, someone else asked about this and I would have thought for practical reasons when you get to lower doses and the maths gets fiddly once daily dose would be easiest to manage?

*** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***





http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/
Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007.
Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. 

A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido.

 

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That thread has a lot of info that helped me get this far, but doesn't go beyond quartering tablets. I guess I'm the first to need it :). The drug has a short half-life in the immediate release version, hence the TID dosing if a solution. My only defense for being so high-maintenance is that it's the 4th drug I've come off starting last summer, first on this website. I would wait longer, but it is too stimulating for me without Zyprexa sedating me.

 

Thanks, Meimeiquest

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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I merged the Wellbutrin discussions.

 

How much Wellbutrin SR are you taking now, Meimei?

 

What kind of decreases have you been making?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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Starting 2/15, I am taking 100 mg SR (whole pill) in the morning, and 75 mg SR (cut pill) in the early afternoon. The first cut was from 300 mg XL to 200 mg SR once a day, started that 1/18, did recover completely between. First WD symptoms this round were yesterday 2/19. I was dizzy and "waterlogged brain" 2 hrs. before 12 pm dose today, and now at almost 1:30 p.m. it's starting to come back. Thanks, Meimeiquest

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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OK, I'm thinking "scale" for the Wellbutrin, and later for the oxazepam. I just don't feel totally comfortable with the info I could find on their solubility, and I don't want to screw up. Meimeiquest

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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Starting 2/15, I am taking 100 mg SR (whole pill) in the morning, and 75 mg SR (cut pill) in the early afternoon. The first cut was from 300 mg XL to 200 mg SR once a day, started that 1/18, did recover completely between. First WD symptoms this round were yesterday 2/19. I was dizzy and "waterlogged brain" 2 hrs. before 12 pm dose today, and now at almost 1:30 p.m. it's starting to come back. Thanks, Meimeiquest

 

That does sound like a reaction to the decrease in dosage. Did these symptoms last for only a few hours?

 

I added this to the first post in this topic:

 

As immediate-release tablets come in the smallest dosage of 75mg, which can be quartered into pieces of 18.75mg, you might want to convert part of your daily dose to IR tablets.

 

This will enable you to taper by 18.75mg at a time.

 

You might be able to get by with taking the SR tablet in the morning and the IR tablet at night.

 

 

Does that give you any other ideas?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 5 months later...

I am currently taking Bupropion HCL, 75 mg and want to taper off, I have been on for 6 yrs. I'm not even sure wether this is time release or not or how to go about it. So one question is, is it time release? Then how do I do it, can I cut it? I sometimes take it only 6 or 5 days a week and was going to do it that way, but once when I got to 5 days, started getting an excess of nasty, self-critical thoughts. Any advice?

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Ask your pharmacist if it is timed-release. Read this topic for tips on how to taper with various types of Wellbutrin.

 

Take your dosage consistently to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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It's immediate release...that is all 75 mg comes in. You can split tablets or make a solution by dissolving in water. It has a short half-life so you don't want to skip days.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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I had trouble tapering from 300 mg XL to 150 mg XL. I assumed it would be easy but it was not. It took about a month to get used to not having that extra little bump in energy that I think I got from the extra 150 mg XL and even longer to consistently feel like I did in all ways when I was on 300 mg XL.

 

I felt so crapy for those first week ( very very tired) I entertained the thought of going back up to 300 mg but hung on and did not and I am glad that I didn't. I eventually leveled out and can't tell the difference anymore. 

 

Hope this helps a little anyway. 

Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone

1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox.

b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b]

2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax

November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b

Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax

My mantra " go slow & with the flow "

3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day)

4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day.

10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro.

1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms.

1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. :) 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut.

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  • 1 month later...

I'm currently taking buproprion 150 XL (as well as generic Lexapro 20mg).

and although I was originally going to start weaning off the Lexapro first ... that seems more complicated than the buproprion wean. However,I want to be sure that I'm understanding this correctly.

Are you saying that at first I should switch from the buproprion 150XL to to a 75SR taken twice a day ... and then cut those pills in quarters so that I can take 3/4 of each pill 2x a day for 2 weeks and then reduce again etc ?

Since approximately 1992

have been on and off Paxil , Prozac(had a horrible reaction), Lorazepam , Celexa, Lexapro, Risperdal ( which was supposed to "kick start" the Lexapro) , and Wellbutrin...

By 2013, I was only on Wellbutrin and generic Lexapro ( 20mg)

I weaned successfully off the Wellbutrin, but by the time I was down to 10mg Lexapro, I suffered panic attacks on bridges, and creeping depression ,

July 2014, reinstated 20 mg generic Lexapro

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That would be one way of doing it.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Hi Altostrada,

Your response sounded a bit lukewarm. Am I misreading, or do you recommend a different taper?

Thanks so much for your input .

Since approximately 1992

have been on and off Paxil , Prozac(had a horrible reaction), Lorazepam , Celexa, Lexapro, Risperdal ( which was supposed to "kick start" the Lexapro) , and Wellbutrin...

By 2013, I was only on Wellbutrin and generic Lexapro ( 20mg)

I weaned successfully off the Wellbutrin, but by the time I was down to 10mg Lexapro, I suffered panic attacks on bridges, and creeping depression ,

July 2014, reinstated 20 mg generic Lexapro

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  • Administrator

Please read post #1. You can mix and match different dosages of Wellbutrin. If you cut up any type of Wellbutrin tablet, it becomes immediate-release Wellbutrin.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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I think it's tricky, because Wellbutrin is a weak AD a lot of people taper faster than 10% cuts, and some do fine, a few not so fine. So there is ambiguity in how fast to taper. I felt when I cut the SR tablets, I still got a smoother effect. It is OK to cut them. Cutting an XL tablet will dump the whole thing, plus they are very difficult to break open. You can dissolve the IR tablets in water if you need precise dosing. 75mg only comes as an IR tablet. Good luck!

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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  • 2 weeks later...

I must be in a real AD brain fog ... because I'm having so much trouble following all this ...

so if I want to wean off 150 XL ,

first I switch to sr 100's ., and cut in quarters, take 3/4 pill in am and 3/4 in pm to duplicate the 150 I'm on now ...

Then to begin taper, I continue to take 3/4 in am but reduce pm to 1/2 a pill ....so the daily total would be 125mg ...and hold for at least 4 weeks...if my math is right that reduction is

approx 17 or 18 percent ... is that too fast ,and if so, is there an easy to follow alternative (for someone in a brain fog :)

Thanks again to all of you !

Since approximately 1992

have been on and off Paxil , Prozac(had a horrible reaction), Lorazepam , Celexa, Lexapro, Risperdal ( which was supposed to "kick start" the Lexapro) , and Wellbutrin...

By 2013, I was only on Wellbutrin and generic Lexapro ( 20mg)

I weaned successfully off the Wellbutrin, but by the time I was down to 10mg Lexapro, I suffered panic attacks on bridges, and creeping depression ,

July 2014, reinstated 20 mg generic Lexapro

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Yes, that might work. You may be able to reduce faster than every 4 weeks.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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OK , so assuming I start my taper as above... by the time I do the next reduction , it would be 20 percent . and the 3rd reduction would be 25 percent ?... unless the 100 SR's can be cut into 6ths ?...Sorry about all the questions , but I want to have this all mapped out BEFORE I start to wean...

Since approximately 1992

have been on and off Paxil , Prozac(had a horrible reaction), Lorazepam , Celexa, Lexapro, Risperdal ( which was supposed to "kick start" the Lexapro) , and Wellbutrin...

By 2013, I was only on Wellbutrin and generic Lexapro ( 20mg)

I weaned successfully off the Wellbutrin, but by the time I was down to 10mg Lexapro, I suffered panic attacks on bridges, and creeping depression ,

July 2014, reinstated 20 mg generic Lexapro

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You can get your prescription filled with 75mg tablets, so your quarter-tablets are smaller in dosage.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Everyone,

Began my taper off XL 150, by first switching to immediate release 100's

and taking one full tablet in the early a.m. and a half tablet BEFORE 6p.m....

to acclimate to the immediate release...

(only symptom so far was a severe drop in energy about 1pm on the 2nd day)

plan to do this for 2 weeks and then reduce to 3/4 tablet a.m. and stay with the 1/2 tab pm ....for another 2 wks...

wish me luck ...

and thanks again for being there !

Since approximately 1992

have been on and off Paxil , Prozac(had a horrible reaction), Lorazepam , Celexa, Lexapro, Risperdal ( which was supposed to "kick start" the Lexapro) , and Wellbutrin...

By 2013, I was only on Wellbutrin and generic Lexapro ( 20mg)

I weaned successfully off the Wellbutrin, but by the time I was down to 10mg Lexapro, I suffered panic attacks on bridges, and creeping depression ,

July 2014, reinstated 20 mg generic Lexapro

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Good luck! There is a sustained release version (not XL) that you can cut if the immediate release is too...immediate.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hi Everyone,

I am now 4 weeks into my taper ... within that time I have slowly

reduced to 100 mg (50 am and 50mg @ 5 or 6pm ...( was cutting 100 IR tabs into halves and quarters)

Within a few days I plan to get 75IR tabs and again cut into halves and quarters... If I take 3/4 in the am(56.25mg) and a half in the pm (37.5) that would be a total of 93.75 a day...approx a 6% reduction....

If all goes well , after a week or so of a hold on that , if I continue cutting tabs in halves and quarters , the next total daily dose would only be 75mg... which is a drop of 20%...

my question is whether you think that is "safe" ,,, or should I work with my pharmacist to achieve closer to a 10% drop somehow ???

Again, THANK YOU all for your time, your expertise and your caring ...

xoxo,

Since approximately 1992

have been on and off Paxil , Prozac(had a horrible reaction), Lorazepam , Celexa, Lexapro, Risperdal ( which was supposed to "kick start" the Lexapro) , and Wellbutrin...

By 2013, I was only on Wellbutrin and generic Lexapro ( 20mg)

I weaned successfully off the Wellbutrin, but by the time I was down to 10mg Lexapro, I suffered panic attacks on bridges, and creeping depression ,

July 2014, reinstated 20 mg generic Lexapro

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How are you feeling so far?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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