MaggieTulliver: Neulactil / periciazine withdrawal, Seroquel tapering

[MaggieTulliver]

Hi All

 

Brand new here.

Have been on neulactil for 4 years due to bad reaction to anti depressive switch. Massive weight gain. Have been to various doctors who have said to go cold turkey. Did not work. After advice from those who may have been through the tapering process.

 

 

MOD NOTE:

From drugs.com https://www.drugs.com/international/neulactil.html

Ingredient matches for Neulactil

Periciazine

Periciazine is reported as an ingredient of Neulactil in the following countries:

Australia

 

From wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periciazine

Periciazine, also known as pericyazine or propericiazine, is a drug that belongs to the phenothiazine class of typical antipsychotics.

 

Edited June 29, 2023 by manymoretodays
added drug info, seroquel tapering added to title

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Maggie.  Sorry for the delay in responding.  No, cold turkey is not a good idea. 

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  Please use the following link and press "save" when you're finished.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

Are you having symptoms from your cold turkey?  Here is some information on withdrawal and healing:

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.

 

These explain the healing process really well:

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Regarding tapering, we recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks. Some have to go more slowly.  Are you feeling stable enough after your cold turkey to taper?

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

There are basically three methods to get your taper doses: using a digital scale, such as the Gemini 20 scale available on Amazon; using a prescription liquid or making your own liquid; or having a compounding pharmacy make your doses.  I don't see a liquid Neulactil looking on the Internet, and I don't know whether this drug is soluble to make your own liquid.  Unless you want to go with a compounding pharmacy, the scale may be the best route for you.  I'm guessing you're using tablets. I can help you with tapering using a scale if that's the route you choose to take.  In tablet form, what doses does Neulaticil come in in Australia?

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions, connect with other members and complete your rug signature.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MaggieTulliver]

Thank you for the follow up. 

I am no longer doing cold turkey after I suffered terrible withdrawal symptoms 10 days later (dizziness, anxiety, insomnia). I am now taking three quarters of a tablet ( whole tablet is 2.5mg) and it's day 9 with little to no symptoms. I will continue for another 3 weeks.

My plan is to drop to half of 2.5 mg after 4 weeks and see how it goes. Tablets can be cut in half, then quartered. No liquid form available in Australia. 

It's such a small dose, but I am hyper sensitive to medication. 

Will keep you updated as I progress.

Thanks again.

 

 

[Gridley]

13 hours ago, MaggieTulliver said:

My plan is to drop to half of 2.5 mg

I strongly urge you to slow down your taper.  These drugs are most potent at the lower range, and the rate you're tapering is akin to a cold turkey in effect with regard to withdrawal. This is especially so since you're hyper-sensitive to medication.  As I wrote in my previous post, we recommend tapering by no more than 10% of current dose every four weeks.  Your drop to 3/4 of the 2.5mg pill was a 25% drop.

 

I suggest you order the Gemini-20 scale from Amazon and I can help you with doing a 10% taper by weighing powder made from the tablet.

 

Using a digital scale to measure doses

Edited September 3, 2020 by Gridley

[MaggieTulliver]

Thank you for your reply. I will look into purchasing the scale. 

I wonder why the doctors I have seen say cutting to half straight away is ok, even though I've told them about my sensitivity.

Day 10 and no withdrawal symptoms so far. But I find after day 10 is when the symptoms begin to emerge. If they do (which I'm sure they will...) I'll try the 10% reduction. 

Thanks again for your advice. 

I really appreciate it.

[ChessieCat]

From this post Cold Turkey and Too-Fast Tapers

 

  

On 7/6/2020 at 5:44 AM, brassmonkey said:

 

I will be blunt.  Unless there is a serious medical reason, Do Not Cold Turkey or Fast Taper.  Take your time tapering.  The pain and suffering are just not worth rushing it, and over time you will get off the drugs and recover much faster by doing a gradual taper.

 

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, MaggieTulliver said:

I wonder why the doctors I have seen say cutting to half straight away is ok, even though I've told them about my sensitivity.

 

This reason this site exists is because not many medical professionals understand withdrawal caused by psychiatric drugs and how to get off them by tapering by listening to your symptoms.

[Gridley]

18 hours ago, MaggieTulliver said:

I'll try the 10% reduction.

Very good decision, MaggieTulliver.  You will also need some size 00 gelatin capsules for your dose, also available on Amazon.

[MaggieTulliver]

Thank you all for your sage advice. 

Day 14, on 25% reduction of 2.5mg Neulactil. No withdrawals so far. Have been taking magnesium supplements, vitamin D, B.

At what point would I start noticing withdrawal symptoms? I've reduced by 50% before and noticed an intense reaction after 10 days. Hoping I can stick with 25% reduction for another 3 weeks and perhaps reduce after that via scale to 35%. 

Is this a good idea, do you think?

Thanks again, this forum has been extremely informative. I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever get off these anti psychs. 

[Gridley]

1 hour ago, MaggieTulliver said:

At what point would I start noticing withdrawal symptoms?

It's difficult to say.  Sometimes withdrawal symptoms can be delayed.  If all is well after three weeks, you could try going down another 10% using the scale.  Keep in mind that you would reduce by 10% of your CURRENT dose (whatever 3/4 of 2.5mg weighs,) not the original dose of 2.5.  This is important because you want your reductions to be smaller and smaller as you get lower and lower.

[MaggieTulliver]

Update: 1 month at 25% reduction, no withdrawal symptoms; further 12.5% for 2 weeks so far, no withdrawal symptoms. 2 more weeks then a further 10%.

So glad this attempt is SO FAR successful. 

Thank you for your advice, sincerely. 

 

[Gridley]

3 hours ago, MaggieTulliver said:

 

Update: 1 month at 25% reduction, no withdrawal symptoms; further 12.5% for 2 weeks so far, no withdrawal symptoms. 2 more weeks then a further 10%.

 

Could you please update your signature to reflect your reductions, including dates (approximate is fine) and your current dose.  Are you leaving the 20mg Lexapro in place?  Use this link then press "save."

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

 

 

 

[MaggieTulliver]

Yes, I am still on Lexapro 20mg, no change in dose. I am only weaning off the Neulactil at the moment. 

 

[MaggieTulliver]

Seroquel tapering after short term use

 

I've been on Seroquel for 6 months, 25mg off-label for insomnia related to recent PTSD. I don't want to stay on it long-term so I'm tapering. I've been at 12.5mg for 1 month now. I found out the hard way that was much too big of a cut, but I've since stabilised. I think I'm ready for the next reduction. My tablets are the 25mg ones, tiny pink coated. So they are quick release. I've read most of the Seroquel tapering forums, but just wondering if a 10% reduction is ok or can I do a bigger cut because I've been on it only 6 months? 

Edited June 29, 2023 by manymoretodays
merged to member's topic, title added

[manymoretodays]

Hi MaggieT, @MaggieTulliver

Hey....welcome back.

Could you update a bit for us, both in a narrative reply as to the last couple of years and then:

 

I'll also give you the full signature instructions link, so you can update that for us, with just recent years, drugs/medications tapers or changes.

Summarizing your drug history in your signature

And thank you in advance for doing so.

 

Best.  L, P, H, and G, mmt

[MaggieTulliver]

Hopefully I updated my signature correctly. 

Brief info regarding the last few years - I've been on Lexapro for over 20 years, but cut it to 1.5mg over a year. My abusive husband passed away Oct 2022, so back to 20mg, plus Xanax, Zolipdem and Seroquel. I've been on Seroquel for 6 months and have cut from 25mg to 12.5mg. Stabilised now at 1 month. I want to get off Seroquel, due to side effects. I'd like advice on tapering from here on in. I'm thinking a 10% cut now, as the 50% cut was way too much I now know.

[Altostrata]

Hello, @MaggieTulliver six months of Seroquel is long enough use that you will need to taper. 

 

You are taking Xanax and zolpidem as well? Please update your signature with your current drugs.

 

May I ask, why are you taking 3 drugs for sleep?

 

What times o'clock do you take your drugs, with their dosages?

[MaggieTulliver]

I've updated my signature but it doesn't seem to be updating for some reason. EDIT: working now.

 

I'm taking the Xanax or Zolipdem only when I can't sleep/having a bad night. Now I'm down to 12.5mg of Seroquel, I'm not sleeping as well as I was. I only take them intermittently, not every night. The only one I take nightly is Seroquel at around 10pm.

[Altostrata]

In the last 2 weeks, how often have you taken Xanax and zolpidem? Was there ever a period where you were taking one or the other every day?

[MaggieTulliver]

Over the last 2 weeks, no. I've only taken the Xanax maybe 4 times (and not daily) and the Zolipdem I think once. Most nights I'm only on the 12.5mg of Seroquel because I don't want to get addicted to benzos. But I was taking Xanax late last year every night, for I think 3 months. I stopped the nightly usage though.

[Altostrata]

If you feel up to it, here are our Tips for tapering off quetiapine (Seroquel)

 

Please let us know how you're doing. 

 

[MaggieTulliver]

I'm still at 12.5mg. Because the tablet is so tiny and coated, it's hard to liquefy it. And my pocket scale is not a good one, so I'll have to get a better, more accurate one. I'll ask the pharmacist if he can give me liquid Seroquel too. Not sure if that's possible though.

[Altostrata]

If you read Tips for tapering off quetiapine (Seroquel), you'll see instructions about how to make your own liquid.

[MaggieTulliver]

Thanks. I read through the posts. I'm concerned about having to make up a liquid mix every day. How long will it keep (in the fridge, in a brown bottle)? I did this when trying to taper off Lexapro and it was fine for 3 days. Is Seroquel the same?

[Altostrata]

As Tips for tapering off quetiapine (Seroquel) says:

 

Quote

So it's most likely stable mixed with water for 24 hours.

 

[MaggieTulliver]

I've spent half my life on Lexapro. I want to taper off it completely. I tried in 2022 and got down to 1.5mg via advice from this forum (liquefied my tablets). But I had to reinstate due my husband's death. 

 

The psychiatrist gave me Mirtazapine last week. I tried it (due to my terrible insomnia) but it did not gel with me. I have decided to try and taper again from Lexapro. I have supports in place and I know now how my body feels at 1.5mg. I tapered over the course of a year, and I'm prepared to do that again. If it takes longer, so be it. 

 

My question is - has anyone been on Lexapro as long as me and successfully tapered? Any serotonin discontinuation syndrome? I read an article by the founder of this site which helped tremendously. I am not going to rely on my doctors for advice. They've told me over the years (I've tried to taper off many times, only to reinstate because they advised I take one tablet every second day...). Having this community will be much more helpful I feel.

[getofflex]

Previous post moved to your intro topic to keep your history all in one place.  Please post questions and discussion about your situation in this one thread, to avoid confusion and duplication of efforts.  Thank you.  

 

I have tapered off Lexapro successfully.  The trick was to go extremely slowly, and listen to my body as I tapered. 

 

I see that you just jumped off Seroquel. Can you please give us some more information about your tapering, or did you jump off from 12.5 mg to 0 mg?   What date did you stop taking the Seroquel altogether?  Please add this to your signature. 

 

As you have been on various drugs, and made lots of drug changes over the past several years, I suggest that you wait and allow your nervous system to fully recover from your Seroquel taper before you start tapering Lexapro.  Rushing tapering drugs is very risky.  You also tried Mirtazapine las week, and you said "It did not gel with me".  Can you explain what your specific symptoms were from that?  Also, please put a more specific date on your mirtazapine in your signature than just 2023.  What month, and when in the month?  

 

How often do you take Zolpidem on average each week?  Add this to your signature. 

 

Do you still take Xanax as needed?  

 

Which dose of Lexapro are you currently on, 10 mg or 20 mg? 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by getofflex

[MaggieTulliver]

I started Seroquel in January 2023 at 25mg. Then May 29th I cut it down to 12.5mg. Some withdrawals (crying, anxiety). Cut to 6.25mg I think 2 months later. Then stopped completely a week ago (Nov 28th) when I started the Mirtazapine. 

 

I took 15mg of the Mirtazapine for 4 days only. I had vivid, constant dreams; profuse sweating; zombie-like feeling; no emotions at all; I began spotting (my period had ended 5 days previously); dry mouth; starving, uncontrollable carb urges.

 

I have only taken Zolipdem a few times over the last 12 months (roughly 3 times). It caused vivid dreams too, and some twitching/restless leg/body sensations.

 

I take Xanax (prescribed late 2022 after my husband passed away) when I'm feeling overly anxious or can't sleep. So around once every two weeks or so. I only take 0.5mg when this occurs, cutting the bar into quarters. My doctor doesn't like prescribing this, for obvious reasons, but I really is the only medication that I have zero side effects from.

 

I'm on 10mg of Lexapro currently. I cut it from 20mg as per psychiatrists advice, on the 28th Nov.

 

I'll update my signature now.

Thank you for your advice re: tapering from Lexapro. I will wait until I restabilise then start a very, very slow taper again. Did you experience any significant withdrawal symptoms?

 

[getofflex]

You need to condense the information in your post, and put it in your actual signature, so it appears with each and every post.  There are only a few of us staff on here, and we work with many people.  Thank you.  

 

in the signature: 

 

1) put "nov 28, 2023" for when you stopped Seroquel.  you also need to add what month you cut it to 6.25 mg.  

 

2) put "nov 28 - dec 1, 2023" for your mirtazapine, also put your dose of 15 mg mirtrazapine

 

3) put "3x per month" on the zolpidem line

 

4) put "2x per month" on the Xanax line

 

5) put that you cut your Lexapro from 20 to 10 mg on Nov. 28, 2023.  

 

5) add a line "current drugs: Lexapro 10 mg" at the end.  

 

We really do need very specific information, especially since you have been on and off so many drugs.  It's the only way we can give you good advice.  

 

14 hours ago, MaggieTulliver said:

I'm on 10mg of Lexapro currently. I cut it from 20mg as per psychiatrists advice, on the 28th Nov.

 

Just want to make it clear that you need to decide whether you want to follow the advice of a psychiatrist, or follow our tapering advice on here.  In almost every case, the advice of a psychiatrist will conflict with ours.  Jumping from 20 mg to 10 mg of Lexapro is a 50% cut, and we suggest no more than a 10% cut.  Not only that, you just stopped Seroquel about a week ago, and tapered off it much faster than what we suggest for a harm reduction approach.  If you decide to follow the advice of a psychiatrist please let us know.  We cannot provide unpaid backup help to your psychiatrist.  It would be a waste of our time.  

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

I strongly suggest you do not do any drug changes for a very long time. 

 

Please wait and see how you feel in the next several weeks.  If you get lots of symptoms from jumping off the Seroquel recently, and then making the 50% cut of Lexapro, please let us know.  

 

Edited December 4, 2023 by getofflex

[MaggieTulliver]

Thank you for the information. I won't be following the advice of the psychiatrist going forward, hence stopping the Mirtazapine even though when I called to explain my side effects, he advised that I "keep pushing through". He was very adamant that I keep taking it, despite my reservations. He was also adamant that cutting from 20 to 10mg of Lexapro in one day was perfectly safe, despite me questioning it.

 

Luckily the 20mg to 10mg cut of Lexapro hasn't caused any issues. I've gone between 10 and 20mg over the last 20 years without issue. It's once I get under 10mg that I notice withdrawal symptoms. Mainly electric/sensitive skin and unstable moods/emotions. The Seroquel cut from 6.25mg to 0 has also not caused any issues. I haven't noticed any withdrawal symptoms.

 

I will now stay at 10mg Lexapro for the time being, then plan to cut by 10% very slowly again, some time next year. When I got down to 1.5mg in 2022, I did follow the advice of this forum and took a year to taper. It worked extremely well until I had to reinstate.

[getofflex]

Thank you for updating your drug signature.  I’m glad to hear you will be following our harm reduction approach. The very low doses of Lexapro are the hardest to taper but it can be done if you go extremely slowly. That is how I did it.   

[getofflex]

2 hours ago, MaggieTulliver said:

. It worked extremely well until I had to reinstate.

Can you please explain this??

[MaggieTulliver]

1 hour ago, getofflex said:

Can you please explain this??

 

I tapered by liquefying my 20mg tablets and using an oral syringe to measure. I took it down by 10% every few weeks. Some cuts I would stay at longer, I listened to my body. For example, the closer I got to 1.5mg, the longer I held a dose. I had little to no withdrawals. Afte some cuts, I would have very slight skin sensitivity, but I would hold that taper dose until it passed. I hope that's what you were wanting me to explain?

[getofflex]

I was wondering why you had to reinstate.  

[getofflex]

17 hours ago, MaggieTulliver said:

When I got down to 1.5mg in 2022, I did follow the advice of this forum and took a year to taper. It worked extremely well until I had to reinstate.

Please put information about this in your signature.  Please give me details about your tapering before you got to 1.5 mg of Lexapro. did you jump off from 1.5 mg of Lexapro to zero? It’s not clear to me. If you tapered further less than 1.5 please give me tapering details about that.  What date did you jump to zero on Lexapro? What date did you reinstate and how much of a dosage did you reinstate?

Edited December 5, 2023 by getofflex