What Are The Effects Of Stopping Fluoxetine HCL Cold Turkey?

Posted on Sat, 12 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 12 Sep 2015 Answered on

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been taking 4 capsules of fluoxetine HCL 20 mg for the psst 3 years. What would be the side effects if I suddenly stopped taking it?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
List of most commonly seen withdrawal symptoms of fluoxetine listed

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. The withdrawal symptoms that can be experienced with sudden or abrupt discontinuation of fluoxetine are:

+Restlessness
+Irritability
+Visual disturbances (blurry vision)
+Anxiety
+Extreme rage
+Depression
+Crying often
+Dizziness
+Memory problems
+Headaches
+Difficulty sleeping/sleeplessness
+Muscle pain
+Mood swings
+Difficulty in concentrating
+Exhaustion
+Stomach pain or cramps
+Nausea
and a few others.

I hope you find my response helpful and informative. Please consult a doctor to help you wean off the medication, and also feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar