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What Causes Headache And Burning Eyes Post Aripiprazole And Fluoxetine Withdrawal?

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Posted on Thu, 19 Mar 2015
Question: I was diagnosed with pyschotic depression whereas after 3 months of medication, I feel I was diagnosed wrongly. Further, the medicines prescribed like Aripiprazole, Pacitane and Zapiz have caused serious side-effects, which I'm feeling difficult to come out of, even after stopping their dosage. Problems being faced currently are like continuous headache and burning sensation in eyes developed recently. Kindly advise for what treatment shall enable me to come out of this problem.

Medications started on 3rd November, 2014 which were reduced and discontinued from 8th February, 2015. But, still I am unable to cope up with my daily routine and feel weakness in my body and down on morale.
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Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
wait for 10 days since onset of symptoms,take paracetamol or diclofenac

Detailed Answer:
Hi Ms.XXXXX,

I checked your prescriptions.Two drugs are there which can cause drug discontinuation symptoms(headache and burning sensation in eyes) aripiprazole and fluoxetine. Aripiprazole was given initially in 10 mg dose and later on reduced to 2.5 mg. Fluoxetine was given in dose of 40 mg.

Aripiprazole was reduced and stopped suddenly at dose of 2.5 mg. Though aripirazole can cause such problems it is less likely at such dose.

Fluoxetine given for one month in 40 mg. Stopping it cold turkey can cause such headache and burning sensation. If these symptoms appeared within 1 week of stopping the medicines, they are mostly drug discontinuation symptoms.

This does not need any specific treatment. They will gradually decrease and stop within 10 days. If symptoms last longer than that ask your doctor for evaluation. It may be due to some other cause or illness itself reappeared due to stopping of the drugs suddenly.


If present symptoms are troubling more, you can take over the counter medicine like paracetamol or diclofenac.

In any case if symptoms are too severe and not responding to these over the counter medicines, consult doctor for evaluation.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

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

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

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What Causes Headache And Burning Eyes Post Aripiprazole And Fluoxetine Withdrawal?

Brief Answer: wait for 10 days since onset of symptoms,take paracetamol or diclofenac Detailed Answer: Hi Ms.XXXXX, I checked your prescriptions.Two drugs are there which can cause drug discontinuation symptoms(headache and burning sensation in eyes) aripiprazole and fluoxetine. Aripiprazole was given initially in 10 mg dose and later on reduced to 2.5 mg. Fluoxetine was given in dose of 40 mg. Aripiprazole was reduced and stopped suddenly at dose of 2.5 mg. Though aripirazole can cause such problems it is less likely at such dose. Fluoxetine given for one month in 40 mg. Stopping it cold turkey can cause such headache and burning sensation. If these symptoms appeared within 1 week of stopping the medicines, they are mostly drug discontinuation symptoms. This does not need any specific treatment. They will gradually decrease and stop within 10 days. If symptoms last longer than that ask your doctor for evaluation. It may be due to some other cause or illness itself reappeared due to stopping of the drugs suddenly. If present symptoms are troubling more, you can take over the counter medicine like paracetamol or diclofenac. In any case if symptoms are too severe and not responding to these over the counter medicines, consult doctor for evaluation. Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.