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How To Withdraw SSRI Slowly For Panic Attack?

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Posted on Mon, 5 May 2014
Question: Hi I have been taking SSRIs for a few days after I had my first and only panic attack. I want to discontinue now.please suggest me the approach to taper so that I don't have any withdrawal symptoms. Following is my prescription 30/03/14 - 09/04/14 --paroxetine cr12.5 mg (12days) 10/04/14 - 18/04/14 -- rexipra 5mg(7 days) , then rexipra 2.5 mg (last 2 days) Please note that i have already stopped taking paxil 10 days ago and i did not have any withdrawal symptoms till date. Now i want to discontinue rexipra as well . I am taking clonazepam .25mg twice a day though and will be taking clonazepam for at least 2 more weeks before i strat tapering clonazepan as well. Also suggest me what can be the withdrawal symptoms and how long they will occur . I am also taking cognitive therapy for anxiety and it has been very useful to me from day one , and that is why i dont want to take antidepressants. Thanks
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Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Can stop rexipra immediately Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query. The therapeutic dose of rexipra (escitalopram) is 10 mg and you are currently on 2.5 mg. At this dose, you would not get any withdrawal symptoms, so you can stop it immediately. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine and has dependence tendency. You can stop it gradually like first stop morning dose in one week and then night dosage. This way, you would able to stop clonazepam in two weeks, otherwise, continuous use can make you dependent on it and it could lead to craving, anxiety symptoms or sleep disturbance at night as withdrawal symptoms. In case, you need further help, you can ask. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Abhishek Kapoor

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2496 Questions

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How To Withdraw SSRI Slowly For Panic Attack?

Brief Answer: Can stop rexipra immediately Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query. The therapeutic dose of rexipra (escitalopram) is 10 mg and you are currently on 2.5 mg. At this dose, you would not get any withdrawal symptoms, so you can stop it immediately. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine and has dependence tendency. You can stop it gradually like first stop morning dose in one week and then night dosage. This way, you would able to stop clonazepam in two weeks, otherwise, continuous use can make you dependent on it and it could lead to craving, anxiety symptoms or sleep disturbance at night as withdrawal symptoms. In case, you need further help, you can ask. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist