Posted by Janelle on August 7, 2003, at 14:11:39
In reply to Re: Lexapro vs Effexor XR, posted by Bill L on August 7, 2003, at 10:08:18
With all due respect, I do not quite follow the continuing references on here to how one "SHOULD" take Prozac while going off EffexorXR or Paxil. I understand the rationale behind it, but my objections are:
1) why add/take yet another SSRI just to help taper off another one, even for a short duration, and 2) there IS a SAFE, EFFECTIVE way to taper off EffexorXR, Paxil or any other such SSRI -- I have personal experience with both EffexorXR and Paxil, and the way my pdoc had me go off EffexorXR was to taper off SLOWLY and GRADUALLY. I was *only* at 150, so I went down to 75 for I don't remember how long (but it was quite awhile), then 37.5 for quite awhile, then off. I had NO PROBLEMS. The key is to be patient and lower the dose of EffexorXR in small increments and very slowly. Ditto for Paxil.
In my case with Paxil, however, it was just before the publicity came out about its withdrawal problems and the pdoc I had at the time didn't have enough experience with it to know that this one especially requires "low and slow" tapering. She had me go off it in only 4 days and I got so sick from withdrawal.
So I have had BOTH experiences, neither of which involved taking Prozac. I just want to put out a *caution* about saying that a person "SHOULD" take Prozac while going off Effex. or Pax. There is no "should" -- this is just a suggestion, it's not carved in stone. Thanks!
This all aside, I agree with the rest of what was said! :-)
poster:Janelle
thread:248906
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030807/msgs/249012.html