What All Paxil Users Must Know: The Withdrawal Symptoms
There are personal and anecdotal accounts of withdrawal symptoms from Paxil.
This is referred to as 'discontinuation syndrome' and refers to problems which
result upon immediate discontinuation of the drug.
Withdrawl Symptoms
Include:
| Jolting electric
"zaps" Dizziness Light-headedness Vertigo In-coordination Gait disturbances Sweating Extreme nausea Vomiting High fever |
Abdominal discomfort Flu symptoms Anorexia Diarrhea Agitation Tremulousness Irritability Aggression Sleep disturbance |
Nightmares Tremor Confusion Memory and concentration difficulties Lethargy Malaise Weakness Fatigue Paraesthesias Ataxia and/or Myalgia. |
Initially, the response of drug regulators (based eg on a report by Price et al, 1995) were that withdrawal symptoms (or 'discontinuation reactions' as SKB/GSK insisted) were generally mild and short-lived, an opinion that has been replaced by mounting concern. Now, it seems about a third of users have problems stopping paroxetine, and the symptoms are strikingly similar ('electric shock' paraesthesia, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, etc). It is clear that what is under discussion is not psychological dependence.
Withdrawal symptom severity varies from individual to individual and can last from months to years. The most common and successful technique for protection against a difficult withdrawal experience is to lower dosage levels gradually over time. Symptoms arising from a dose change often don't fully appear for several weeks. Since paroxetine has a much shorter half life than other SSRIs like Prozac, people have occasionally sought to buffer their withdrawal plan with a liquid form of Prozac. In liquid form, dose diminishments of 1m.g. are easy to achieve.
Suicidal ideation is a frequently reported experience in those withdrawing
from SSRIs like paroxetine. Never seek to withdraw from paroxetine or any other
SSRI without supervision.
If you or someone you love has been affected by
Paxil, now is the time to seek help. Fill out the form below for a free case
evaluation from the experienced Paxil lawyers and Weitz and Luxenberg.
see also:
Withdrawal Symptoms
Problems with Paxil - The Withdrawal Symptoms you may incurEven going off Paxil is harmful - A list of withdrawal symptoms
Medication
Get all the Facts about the anti-depressant medication PaxilAll you need to know about the medication Paxil
Learn More
Do you know the Paxil Dangers? Learn more & get a Paxil lawyer to helpAffected by Paxil? Let a Paxil lawyer at Weitz and Luxenberg help
