Hopelove: Tapering Wellbutrin

[Hopelove]

yes, I do.  I always took them together in the morning and I can’t remember what happened that started me taking them in the evening but I think it was because the lamictal seemed to make me so tired during the day that I figured I would try it at night and it seemed to work.  I didn’t think about the Zoloft being stimulating, but I guess I can move it to the AM.

 

sorry we were traveling, now I am back home and trying to figure out how to update my sig.  Thanks 

[Altostrata]

I would gradually move the Zoloft earlier by an hour each day until you're taking it at noon or earlier.

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

[Hopelove]

Tapering Zoloft before Lamictal

I am curious of the reasons behind tapering Zoloft before Lamictal.  

 

 

Edited June 18, 2020 by ChessieCat
added topic title

[ChessieCat]

  

On 4/20/2011 at 11:52 AM, Altostrata said:

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?
If you're not having an adverse reaction from the other medications, taper the most activating drug first. This is usually an antidepressant or stimulant (ADHD drug).

 

[Altostrata]

We want you to be able to sleep while you're tapering. Sleep is often disrupted by dosage reduction. A "brake" like lamotrigine can compensate for this and help you go off Zoloft.

[Hopelove]

Thank you again.  I will plan to drop 2.5 mg of the Zoloft using a liquid taper.
 Questions:  Is there anyway to use 12.5 mg (half of a 25mg tablet) and then the rest liquid. I ask only because I am so afraid of how my body will metabolize the liquid.  
Are there any supplements I can take to help with the withdrawals that you recommend?

[ChessieCat]

When changing to liquid from tablet we suggest doing a cross over.  You don't have to do a complete cross over and taking only a portion of your dose in liquid is okay.  It is better to do this gradually.  Also we recommend only making one change at a time.  So you would not make a reduction at the same time as introducing liquid.

 

For your cross over:

 

Cut a 25mg tablet in half = two x 12.5mg

 

Cut one of the halves in half so you have 2 quarter tablets = 2 x 6.25mg

 

Dissolve one of the 1/4 tablets in 6.25mL (1:1) or 62.5mL (1:10) water (this depends on what ratio you want to use later, the higher the ratio the more liquid you take so measuring can be easier).

 

Take 3/4 tablet (= 18.75mg) + all of the liquid (= 6.5mg)

 

Do this for 3 to 7 days.

 

Cut a 25mg tablet in half.

 

Dissolve 1/2 tablet in 12.5mL (1:1) or 125mL water (use same ratio as previously used).

 

Take 1/2 tablet (=12.5mg) + all of the liquid (= 12.5mg)

 

Do this for 3 to 7 days.

 

Wait at least 7 days before making a reduction.

 

To reduce by 2.5mg you would:

 

Dissolve 1/2 tablet (=12.5mg) in 12.5mL or 125mL water

 

Take 1/2 tablet (=12.5mg) + 10mL (or 100mL) liquid for a dose of 22.5mg.

 

Please ensure that you do everything the same way each time.  Use same tools, measure liquid on the same part of bench or table.

 

 

[ChessieCat]

12 hours ago, Hopelove said:

Are there any supplements I can take to help with the withdrawals that you recommend?

 

The only supplements which SA recommends are Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil.

 

Please note that you should only make one change/introduce something new one at a time, so you would not introduce a supplement at the same time you are doing the cross over or making a reduction.  And when trying something new you start with a small dose to see how you react. 

 

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

[Hopelove]

Thank you for the information.  Sorry for so many questions.  I am so scared of the person I may become throughout this process.  If I use a compounding pharmacy instead of doing it myself, will they be able to put the small dosages into tablet form? or is it going to need to be in liquid at some point anyways?

[Altostrata]

Zoloft comes in a liquid by prescription. See Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline)

 

What do you mean by

5 hours ago, Hopelove said:

I am so scared of the person I may become throughout this process.

 

[Hopelove]

The few times I tried to come off of Zoloft using the doctors instructions, I always had to go back on.  I became hypomanic. Everything in my brain sped up.  I would become irritable and lose my temper.  Talk too much, too fast.  I feel like I alienated friends and family.  No one knew what was going on with me.  I feel like because of those times, I left a path of destruction behind me.  It’s embarrassing and sad.

[Hopelove]

Hypomania with Zoloft taper

 

Has anyone experienced hypomania during or after Zoloft taper?  How did you manage it?  Thanks

 

Edited June 26, 2020 by ChessieCat
added topic title

[Gridley]

@Hopelove

 

Here's a link.  

Ballardbeer: Zoloft / sertraline - 8 months of hypomania ...

Edited June 26, 2020 by Gridley

[Hopelove]

Thanks.  I experience it after discontinuing.  I have tried to discontinue on my own before.  I never had it while I was taking it (I don't think).  And I never had it before Zoloft.  I don't know if it was because of a too fast taper or protracted withdrawal.  I just know if it happens when I start this next taper, I don't want to have to reinstate.

[Onmyway]

Happened with citalopram many years ago - was acute, a week after coming off. Went away on its own in a few weeks. 

[Hopelove]

thank you