How To Taper Off Zoloft Posts

How To Taper Off Zoloft Information

Questions and Answers

Best way to taper off Zoloft? I've only been on the 50mg tab for 40 days now but am worried about withdrawal. I was prescribed the medicine after having a scary symptom in a private region that caused me great anxiety. Luckily I had an ultrasound and was 100% back to my normal self before the Zoloft even really had a chance to work. My GP says I would have withdrawal symptoms if I slowly tapered off this early into changing my brain chemestry? Is that really true? I don't need this medicine and honestly wish I wouldn't have ever taken it. Hopefully someone knows the best way to taper off so that I avoid major withdrawal symptoms. Thanks

Old enough to know replied: "This advice should come from a doctor"

olivia w replied: "that could be valid but since you have been on it a reasonable amount of time i see no harm in slowly tapering the dose. it may take more then a month to do so safely but if you do it a certain number of miligrams at a time under dr supervision i see no reason why you cant if you feel no reason for it. if its not doing anything for you and especially if you feel side effects. as for your anxiety problem before you attempt this you should make sure your getting proper professional help to monitor the anxiety problem and they can determine how best to handle the zoloft you are taking and if you may need another type of medicine or just one to take only when needed. good luck."

OrientalCat replied: "The Best way to taper off is to ask your Doctor ! It must be done Very Slowly, and over a period of time. Personally, I do not believe that GPs should be prescribing meds such as Zoloft, etc, as they need to be monitored closely by a Psychiatrist. Be careful, and - Take good care."

embroidery fan replied: "Not to go against what a GP said, but I've heard psychiatrists (specialists in the field) say that antidepressants can be tapered off at any time if they are not helping adequately, or are causing bad side effects. I don't know who prescribed your Zoloft. If it was the GP, I'd suggest asking for a referral to a specialist, a psychiatrist, if you can get one. Another option is to go to the ER, where they will get you a followup appt. with a psychiatrist if it's needed ...That's not the first choice, of course. It makes no sense that a properly-done tapering off of a psychoactive drug would hurt you, at any time. Ask a specialist in mental health medicine for advice, even if it means going somewhere like to your county's mental health clinic, or something. Good luck!"

Sara C. B replied: "First of all, why do you say you don't need the medication? Is it strictly your opinion,?. If you are concerned I would go to another Dr. for a reval. Tell him what the problem is and ask him to answer any questions you might have. My daughter went off of the same drug because she thought she was cured and didn't need it.----Wrong. The Dr. told me that almost all patients went off the drug when they thought they were better. They wern't and ended up back on it. It keeps you level."

Angie H replied: "Contact a pharmacist if you can't get your doctor to help you. He/she should be able to tell you the best way to slowly taper off. Find another doctor that you can relate to. Good luck!"

Elisabeta Disupremo replied: "If you were prescribed this Medication by a GP and not a Psychiatrist and are under no legal order to take a substance that alters brain chemistry in a way most professionals have little understanding of as a lay person I say follow your gut. Most of the information Primary caregivers follow is from the Pharmaceutical industry whose interest is not in curing folks with mental illnesses but treating them ad infinitum for profit. That said if you experience any withdrawal, say a terrible anxiety attack maybe your brain is benefiting from this chemical. There are so many chemicals in our environment these days most humans probably have some imbalance whether they realize it or not. There are too many natural remedies for mild anxiety to list here but chamomile tea to my knowledge has never caused a human to kill themselves and I have heard of Zoloft making a person morbidly depressed. But to be fair my aunt has taken 25 mg of Zoloft for years due to hormonal depression and is served well by it, so long as it is not generic. Not all generics work as well as the name brand. Sorry I have no cut and dry answer, educate yourself, Western Medicine makes money whether it cures you or not, buyer beware."

?Guess? replied: "Wow that really sucks that it even got prescribed to you. That is not what an anti-depressant like zoloft is supposed to treat. 1 mg of Ativan as needed would have been more useful in your case. Your Doctor is right. You have to be weened off of Zoloft.(especially long term users) If you just quit, it could cause Dysmithia. The Zoloft does change the chemicals in your brain, but not permanently. Producing dopamine in some areas in the brain and decreasing production in other areas. It also changes your serotonin levels and can make your neuron receptors more active. Chances are that if you have been taking it for 40 days and just stopped taking it, you wouldn't have any withdrawl symptoms and if you do, they would be minor, however you never know how your body will react and you could get dysmithis(but since it wasn't being used to treat depression or bi-polar, it is possible that you won't get dysmithia. The only other problem that there could be after quiting your medication is: If you are predisposed to a mood disorder, such as bi-polar, by taking the Zoloft and then quiting it so quickly, could bring on a bi-polar episode, such as hypo-mania or depression. The best thing to do, is to ask your Doctor to prescribe smaller and smaller doses of the Zoloft, changing each week to the smaller dosage, until it is safe to quit. The best thing to do when dealing with anti-depressants is to talk to a physchiatrist. Working with and prescribing these kinds of medications is their job. GP's don't always have the knowledge and understanding to prescribe these drugs and some that do, over prescribe them. Good luck!"

messerjana replied: "Do whatever your doctor prescribes. Explain to him or her how you're feeling and what your goals and questions are. Do not change your medication unless a physician tells you to."

blondecougaress replied: "Your doctor is definately right. I cant make a statement about why you were prescribed this in the first place, but you DEFINATELY want to taper off slowly. Don't take this lightly. Antidepressants help a lot of people and even save lives, but it is not like like taking advil. Withdrawl symptoms can include dizzyness, agitaion, headaches, nasuea, confusion, trembling, head zaps.. etc. Your doc will guide you about the best way. he/she knows your situation best. Follow doc's orders."

Should I start taking Zoloft again and taper off? I have not taken it for 4 days.? I have been taking Zoloft for about 6 months now. I am consulting with my psychologist and I am going to stop the medicine. My question is: I haven't taken it for 4 days now, should I start taking it again and taper off of it or just wait out the withdrawal symptoms, which started yesterday?

Amy replied: "You should really consult your physician on this one. What is the dosage you were taking? Now that you have been off of it for 4 days, you don't want to put yourself back up to the dosage you were on, that's a definite NO. But, depending on your dosage, you might want to take the lowest dosage for about 1 week to lesson your withdrawal symptoms. Why are you not taking it any more? Just make sure you keep that commitment to consult your psychologist!!"

Anna P replied: "You absolutely MUST work with your doctor--withdrawal varies by person and can be very serious. I would go back on the zoloft immediately while you wait to see the doctor. You need to taper off very slowly! Please do this."

How to wean/taper off Zoloft safely? With or without Prozac?In as much details please? Dont advice me to see my doc please.I need real life experiences from people on this forum!

boohamjad replied: "getting off zoloft, i was having bipolar mood swings for a few days, but it got better fast. you'll be alright mate. just warn your fam / friend."

birgit replied: "Cut the dosage by 25mg each week. Like if you are on 100, then cut to 75...then to 50...then to 25...then off."

Jess replied: "NO. Don't ever wean yourself off any anti-depressant medication on your own! You need to be monitured by your doctor as he prescribes how you should be weaned off of it. Never just stop cold turkey either, it's been proven that you end up more of a wreck then before you started the medication."

hunter621 replied: "I would get advice from your local pharmacist. These meds can be hard on the system to suddenly quit or substitute with another one. How can you vet the responses you'll receive here? Some may make up "experiences" and you won't be the wiser."

jane d replied: "I hate meds but I take zoloft 50mg and seroquel for sleep. I have been taken zoloft for awhile, but it gives me migraines. What I did was start cutting them in half (25mg) and take it for a month. Then I would just take it every other day and I just stop taken it all together, and I'm doing fine--I still take my seroquel at night because it knocks me the hell out, I manage pretty well, but I don't know how much you are taken, you might be different. If I feel I need to get back on them, I just start taken it again."

nremtp4me replied: "First off why do you need to stop taking this medication? Anti-depressants are not something you should wean yourself off with out a doctors supervision. There is something called a "Seriton Storm" where basically your brain goes crazy, causing seizures, fever, visual, and/or auditory halucinations (sometimes violent and scary ones!) Trust me man, talk to your doctor about it."

LadyLynn replied: "You can go straight from Zoloft to Prozac. But to wean off just one, you need help from a doctor, or at least a pharmacist. Good luck to you. :)"

Faithful replied: "I have worked in psychiatry and can advise you I have heard this from patients so many times that there is but only ONE remedy. IF "you" think that YOU are a better doctor than the one who prescribed the medication(s) and KNOW you don't need them, why did you start taking them (it) in the first place. Some on this forum do not know the damage(s) they can inflict, not just upon you but others as well by falling victum to your charade. You are on the medication for a reason. To CONTROL anxiety, moods and outbursts, when frustration sets in with bouts of depressive mania, Zoloft is used. Prozac is alittle more of a mood elevator, and without medical attention to withdraw symptoms you may experience manic attacks. COULD, actually from ANY medication you have used for any period of time for medicine DOES build up in the tissues (fat) after months and even years of use. For YOUR safety and "others" I suggest you think it over and bring your concerns of "tapering off" to the DOCTOR who prescribed your meds. Alright ? God bless....."

skunk pie replied: "Just tell your doctor that you want off the Zoloft and you want off of it now. Tell him that you will refuse to take any medication and that is your choice as a patient. It is your right to be able to deny any use of prescription medication. Your doctor might be a jerk and threaten to hospitalize you, but if you're not showing any signs of being suicidal, it's just an empty threat."

how fast can I wean off Zoloft due to side effects? having bad side effects from Zoloft and want to start natural remedies such as St Johns Wort and SAMe. What is the best way to taper off the medication. Thanks.

Joe924 replied: "I know this isn't much of an answer if any, I'm really sorry. But I'm wondering the same thing..I'm going through the same problems. I'm curious to see what your responses say."

CAT replied: "sorry but natural arent potent enough.. I tried Sam-e + b vtamins, stabilium ..u name it... they dont work ...maybe mild anxiety...but not severe... i took ativan rx it works .better...much more stable"

merlina replied: "There isn't a simple answer to this - it really depends on your body chemistry, how long you've been on it and how much it's still affecting your body. Try cutting down slowly. Instead of taking a whole pill tomorrow try half a pill (followed by a whole pill the next day) Do you feel OK? then try half a pill the next day. Still OK? try half a pill every day. Then try some quarter pills etc etc About a fortnight, I would say, is about the minimum (knowing lots of people who have come off it) Some people take more like a couple of months - and got pretty nasty side effects if they tried to do it more quickly One person I knew stopped taking it when they went on holiday just because she had forgotten her pills and had no effects at all! (but I wouldn't recommend that) As ever, you really ought to discuss your plans with your medical practitioner A note of caution, if the holistic therapies you mention don't work for you, many medical practitioners won't restart SSRIs until there has been a gap of a week or two Therefore I'd only think about what you're planning if you're only suffering from relatively mild depression or think you've recovered"

Has anyone ever tapered off of Zoloft and had withdrawal reactions? If so, how long were you on the Zoloft, how fast did you taper, and what were the reactions?

malibutan replied: "I know this is not the right way to do it, but I just stopped taking it completely one day. I had no reactions at all. I was scared at first but then I decided the pros of continually taking it did not outweigh the cons. So what did I have to lose?"

tweetymay26 replied: "I was on for one year, I tapered off from daily doses the first week to every other day, the second week, it was a every third day, then the following week every fourth day, etc. until I went completely without, my side effects were mood fluctuating, anxious a little, sleeplessness, and I felt jolts throughout my body at first, it was kind of weird, but all side effects subsided after a couple of months, it was hard at first."

Vanessa replied: "I was on Zoloft for about 6 months and decided that I wanted to stop taking it. I was going through a rough time in my life and I needed a little help getting through it. My doctor told me that I couldn't just stop taking it, that I had to taper off of it. It took me about a month but every week I would cut my dose in half and then in half again.....and so on. The only effect I noticed was that I was pretty crabby/irritable for about a week after I was totally done taking it. Hope that helps."

Been on Zoloft 25mg for a month, How do i taper off? Im thinking i want to stop all meds. I have been getting tingling sensations all over my body and ive noticed my aggression has been at its worst. I have been snapping like mad and not feeling alive. Alls i want to do is sleep. How do I stop this medicine? Im aware i should talk to my doctor but i have stopped other meds before. I just want to do this now.

Chrissy replied: "The reason i feel like you should talk to your doctor is because I think that the Zoloft is not necessarily wrong for you but I think that maybe you need something else to go with it so really just make an appointment and talk with a doctor it will make a world of difference."

Katie replied: "i'm trying to quit my zoloft all at once too. i seem to be handling it okay but i keep getting dizzy. so do as i say, not as i do. quit gradually. the side effects for you may be worse than the side effects for me."

Jason T replied: "1st, you are right you should talk to your doctor first. However, if you just can't take the medication and it has been only 1 month and only 25mg then just stop the medication. Zoloft isn't even fully effective for about 6 weeks and the side effects of stopping are worst when your body becomes accustomed to it and then it is removed suddenly. 25mg is the lowest strength of the medication so withdrawl shouldn't be too bad anyways. If you want to go slower that is fine too. In that case take half a tablet for a week or so then stop taking it. Serotonin syndrome is the reason they say do not discontinue abruptly. Also it is usually worth giving the medication a good try before stopping. But if your heart it set on stopping .... that is your choice."

Has anyone ever tapered off zoloft,i was on 50 mg. for 1 month then the dr cut me back to 25 mgand then had me stop..He started me on cymbalta.I m having bad anxieety and my had feels kinda funny..wondering if this could be withdrawal from zoloft or starting the cymbalta..the pharmasits i talked to said i should be fine'I was just wondering if anyone has tapered like this before

Violet Pearl replied: "It's withdrawals from the drugs + starting a new drug."

0404 replied: "Yes, My daughter was taking 100mg of Zoloft and the doctor weaned her off the same way. Your body will adjust, it just takes a few days. God Bless!"

Could Zoloft withdrawal cause an accelerated heart rate or heart palpitations? Thanks for your help. It may be that now that I have tapered off Zoloft, I am more sensitive to my caffeine intake. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

cl4nd3st1n3 replied: "Yes... monitor yourself closely and see a GP."

TONY C replied: "Highly unlikely."

Kathie L replied: "I had some weird spells kind of like that when I went off my Zoloft (I went cold turkey). I don't know for sure that's what's causing you to experience this, but I think it's definitely possible. You may want to call your doctor to see if s/he wants to see you though."