roxie tapering off risperidone .5 mg?

[roxie]

I am new to this group.  I have been on a psychotropic medication cocktail for several years, including:  clonazepam .5 mg which I tapered off of about 3 weeks ago; risperidone .5 mg (still want to taper this med); duloxetine 60 mg; and lamotrigine 200 mg.  I still have some withdrawal symptoms from the clonazepam, but am coping okay thus far.  I want to come off all the others too, but am wondering which one first, and also how to taper off .5 mg of risperidone. I tried cold turkey off risperidone a few days ago, and within 4 days, I had super withdrawal symptoms including irritability, anger, hostility, aggression, anxiety, to the point where I could not stand it anymore, so I went back on the .5 mg of risperidone last night and today I feel better with no withdrawal symptoms.  How does one taper off .5 mg of risperidone when the pill is so teensy that I cannot cut it, even with the pill splitter.  Does anyone know how to taper this drug?

[Fresh]

Hi roxie , welcome to the site. Your post has been moved to the Introductions section. This is your

own personal thread to journal or ask questions. Please click FOLLOW at the top right so you receive

an email each time someone posts here.

 

We have all the information you need to taper off safely , so I'm going to point you in a few directions

and you have some reading ahead.

 

" clonazepam .5 mg which I tapered off of about 3 weeks ago"

This is huge accomplishment. Please don't make any further changes for at least 2 or 3 months so your

central nervous system can recover. As you found , things are fragile at the moment.

 

With regard to which drug to taper next , see "Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?"

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2207-taking-multiple-psych-drugs-which-drug-to-taper-first/

We usually advise tapering the more activating drug first , which would be duloxetine. Holding the 0.5mg

respiradone may help keep things stable.

 

To taper from tiny doses like 0.5mg , you can make a liquid solution by dissolving you tablet in water

and using a syringe to draw up a precise amount. See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2693-how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/

 

Please come back with questions. You've had a taste of how things can get bad very quickly , and we want

to help you avoid that.

 

It would be a big help if you can fill in your signature with a summary of your drug history. Please read

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Best wishes , Fresh