Misc How should I Taper Trazodone?

[kanyeknievel]

I don't want to be on more medication than I need to. But I have a good feeling about Cymbalta so ill try it and see how it helps me. Im getting clean off drugs, im on suboxone and that helps me get through the days and stay clean.

It makes me tired and able to sleep at night without taking medication. But i think after taking trazodone 50mg for a month, stopping abruptly would be bad. So i took a 50mg again last night... how shold i taper down?

I was only on it a month so I don't think it should be that hard or long to get off. I just want to do it correctly.

 

[OCitchy714]

You need to talk to your doctor that would be your best bet to taper off correctly it will be a slow and long taper since in takes so long for ssri's to get in your system it will take awhile to get them out but only taking for a month i dont know if its realy needed but like i said talk to your doctor he she will be able too help best

 

[kokaino]

Yes, talking to your doctor is the only way to go.

This is what I got from wikipedia about abruptly stopping trazodone usage:

A person who abruptly stops taking trazodone, even in doses as low as 25 mg (common for use as a sleep aid for people with anxiety disorders), may experience adverse mental reactions such as emotional instability, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts. Although such warnings may be included in printed materials supplied with the drug, physicians prescribing trazodone, particularly those who are not psychiatrists, might not give oral warnings.

Wiki Link

So you should definitely talk to your doctor about this first before stopping.

 

[BrokedownPalace]

When I was in the psych ward, they had me taking trazodone, 100mg x3 daily. Morning, noon, and bedtime. It was very strange, and I don't recommend it. Then when I left I just stopped taking it. I didn't notice any strange withdrawal, but I also do not recommend stopping abruptly. Your best bet is to speak with your doctor, and develop a proper taper plan if he deems one necessary.

Good luck !

 

[kanyeknievel]

Hmm I suppose I'll talk to my doctor but I do go to see my psyc until Friday and I dont really like the effects trazodone has on me. idk if its coincidental or from trazodone but ive been more depressive within the month of taking it

 

[bigcat]

Here's a good personal guide to tapering Trazodone. I was on 200mg for five years for insomnia, anxiety and depression, and through forced circumstances (changed country to one where it's not available) and a desire to be less medicated, I had to stop and wanted to stop. Given that I had a finite number of tablets left from my previous prescription, and having gone through severe benzo withdrawal twice before, I took no chances and started immediately. First was 200-175 mg (three and a half 50mg tablets) for two weeks. Then down to 150mg for two weeks. Then to 100... By that time, I was feeling mild to moderate benzo-like withdrawal effects, tho little insomnia, which was one of the first reasons for taking it. But definitely imbalance, confusion, dysphoria, trembling and the like. I thought it would be even worse as I continued, and the w/ds carried on as I reduced from 100 to 87.5 (through splitting one tablet into quarters) but as I got down to 50mg per day, they subsided. Then I reduced from 50 to 37.5 to 25 and then to 12.5 over another two weeks or so. Although I had a few minor withdrawal effects at the time, they were less bad than the change from 200 to 100mg. I've been off for three months now and feel better than ever. The main point here is to really plan the taper if you've been on it for a long time, and to stick to it. Realize that you WILL likely feel some withdrawal effects and deal with them. There again, I once stopped diazepam cold turkey after a year on 40mg a night, and by comparison, this was a walk in the park. Plan and persist. For those on smaller doses, I would also recommend a taper, but go slow like I did. You can get there.

 

[hightimes223]

Go slow. I went down 100 mg at once and was having psychosis and thinking i was seeing scary shit and it was awful worst thing ever. Goooooooooooooo fucking slow off of it!!!