Barbarossa32: Tapering Valdoxan

[Barbarossa42]

Hi Im on Valdoxan around 3 year , I would like to stop now , I tired cold Turkey but after a few days I had to go back on them as I had terrible mental anguish feeling i was going mad suicidal thoughts , I had to go back on them ASAP and all the feelings left me ... 

I take 25 mg but take it in half every second night ...

Has anyone managed to taper off this drug ? Im scared Ill be on it forever ..

[Barbarossa42]

On 8/18/2017 at 4:26 PM, RozP said:

Hi. After three years I want to come off Agomelatine (Valdoxan).

I'm in the UK but my Psych is in Spain so can't ask him for info until I go back.

My main concern is that (together with 10 mg diazepam for which there is lots of tapering info), I find it helps my insomnia tremendously but I wake up feeling like a zombie.

Trying to get info on how to taper, I take 25mg.  I read there are supposed to be no withdrawal effects but has anyone come off it and found they can't sleep?

I need to come off it as NHS won't prescribe it and I can no longer afford it.

Many thanks

Im trying to come off it I find very bad anxiety if I skip it for more than two days so for me tapering is the only way but even when you taper you get bad side effects .

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a peer owned and run forum of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I have moved your questions to your own introduction thread.  That way we can help you with your specific situation, and all your history is in one place. 

 

I'm sorry you are having trouble getting off of Valdoxan.  First of all, we generally do not suggest going off psych meds cold turkey, or skipping doses. (taking them every other day) Doing this can cause the symptoms you have described.  

 

When you say "I take 25 mg but take it in half every second night" does that mean you cut a 25 mg pill in half and take that every other night?  That would be 12.5 mg every other night. 

 

Can you please give us specific information about your drug history?  Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.  

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we taper by 10% of the current dose, so that the taper becomes exponentially smaller.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Also, as we are tapering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

When we recover, there are times of feeling OK mixed in with times of feeling bad.  This is called windows and waves.

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart.  We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through.  Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities.  It takes time, but healing can and will happen.