Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 829265

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Prozac used to get off Cymbalta

Posted by Momcounselor on May 15, 2008, at 15:25:00

Has anyone else had success getting off cymbalta without withdrawal symptoms by using prozac? My daughter was having a hard time with the discontinuation symdrome associated with cymbalta withdrawal, and the psych. suggested using prozac to alleviate this. Anyone have any experience with this or thoughts to offer?
Thanks!

 

Re: Prozac used to get off Cymbalta » Momcounselor

Posted by Racer on May 15, 2008, at 15:47:09

In reply to Prozac used to get off Cymbalta, posted by Momcounselor on May 15, 2008, at 15:25:00

That's actually considered standard of care by many psychiatrists, and is a great idea.

The reason Cymbalta has the discontinuation syndrome involves its short half-life. Prozac has a very long half-life, and so has virtually no discontinuation issues. Taking Prozac while withdrawing from either Effexor or Cymbalta will act on many of the same receptors, and give them a chance to adjust more slowly.

Generally, it only takes a few doses of Prozac to do the job -- often, only one pill. Mileage varies, but it's very helpful and I recommend it for your daughter.

Best luck to her.

 

Re: Prozac used to get off Cymbalta

Posted by bleauberry on May 15, 2008, at 19:59:40

In reply to Prozac used to get off Cymbalta, posted by Momcounselor on May 15, 2008, at 15:25:00

Prozac won't completely eliminate withdrawal discomfort, but should lessen it. While getting off cymbalta, serotonin levels will drop fast. Norepinephrine levels will drop fast. Prozac will help keep serotonin up some, and norepinephrine up a little bit, and gently lower them, rather than how stopping cymbalta would just drop them off a cliff.

There are other complicated mechanisms of all these meds, so serotonin and norepinephrine are not the only issues going on. But prozac should help with those. Halflives of medicines...either short or long...have an impact on the withdrawals, but don't completely explain the whole story. The theory with prozac is that its long halflife will partially cover the gap as the shorter halflife of cymbalta fades quickly. Cymbalta halflife is about 12 hours, where prozac is about 7 days and takes about a month to be completely gone from the last dose.

Longterm users of prozac definintely have withdrawal problems from prozac as well. That is usually longterm use though, like years. But even at its worst, it is not even close to the hell of cymbalta, paxil, or effexor.

 

Re: Prozac used to get off Cymbalta » bleauberry

Posted by Phillipa on May 15, 2008, at 21:25:57

In reply to Re: Prozac used to get off Cymbalta, posted by bleauberry on May 15, 2008, at 19:59:40

I had no withdrawal from cymbalta 60mg lucky I guess. Paxil l0mg I did get brain zaps but just kept biting a smaller piece of the pill off each day for about two weeks. And that did the trick. I've often wondered why I've never had withdrawl problems. But then I know a few ex-babblers who stopped effexor and had no withdrawal either. Hope your daughter has a short withdrawal. Love Phillipa ps was on the paxil first ad ever for two years. Now back on it with luvox. Also have you checked the withdrawal board a lot of posts on cymbalta withdrawal there.

 

Re: Prozac used to get off Cymbalta

Posted by pdg1234567 on May 18, 2008, at 19:57:59

In reply to Re: Prozac used to get off Cymbalta » bleauberry, posted by Phillipa on May 15, 2008, at 21:25:57

I used Saint Johns Wort to go off Cymbalta. First lowered Cymbalta from 60 to 30 mg for 2 weeks. then 30 mg every other day and then added 300MG SJW - worked fine - no serious withdrawl side effects at all.

(Back on Cymbalta now after 18 months on SJW - SJW Wored fine for about 15 months but then it started to poop out)

Paul


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