How do I get off Paxil?
Last Updated: 25.06.2025 07:24
You may be feeling anxious or concerned about going off of Paxil. Studies have shown that counseling and psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can help you get off of antidepressants without relapsing.
Section 3 of 8:Can I stop taking Paxil cold turkey?
Recent studies have highlighted the lack of official tapering dosages and they've called for more research and guidelines.
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Minimize stress while you're quitting Paxil—try to avoid big life changes that cause you anxiety or take a break from people who stress you out so you can stay calm.
1. Get rest if you're feeling fatigued or drowsy.
2. Reduce your dosage by 10 mg a day at weekly intervals.
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3. Take your dose at bedtime if you experience dizziness.
2. Talk to your psychiatrist before you stop taking Paxil cold turkey.
1. Create a personalized plan with the help of a psychiatrist.
1. Psychotherapy is great support for your depression or anxiety.
You might experience electric shock-like sensations in your brain. Most people refer to these as brain zaps and researchers admit that more studies are needed to understand how to manage them.
If you can't get a personalized plan, taper off your use of Paxil slowly. Plan to reduce your dosage by 10 mg a day and stay at this level for 1 week. Then, cut back another 10 mg a day for the following week. Keep reducing the amount until you're taking 20 mg a day.
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If you're experiencing the opposite problem—having a hard time falling asleep—try taking your dose early in the morning and avoid caffeine. Your doctor can also prescribe a mild sleep aid while you're tapering off of Paxil.
Once you get to 20 mg, or a lower amount if you started with a smaller dosage, continue to take Paxil at that dose for 1 week. Then, stop taking it altogether.
Check with your insurance company to see what mental health resources are covered. You may need a referral from your primary care physician to get treatment.
Don't be afraid to let your family and close friends know that you're getting off of Paxil and might need extra support and encouragement.
You'll probably feel tired in the first few weeks of tapering off Paxil, so give yourself time to rest during the day. Plan on a nap as well as some physical activity so you don't feel sluggish all day. The good news is that this common side effect seems to ease up pretty quickly.
If you feel really drowsy, don't drive or operate dangerous machinery.
For instance, if you're currently taking 40 mg a day, reduce the amount to 30 mg and take this amount for 1 full week. Then, take 20 mg a day for the following week.
Section 4 of 8:How do I taper off Paxil?
If you feel unbalanced or woozy, stand up slowly after you've been sitting and walk with supports—use handrails or a cane if you're really dizzy. Staying hydrated can also help, but skip the caffeine or alcohol.
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2. Switch to smaller, more frequent meals if you have nausea.
Your stomach may feel irritated as you switch to a lower dose of Paxil. Instead of eating your usual 2 or 3 big meals, eat 4 or 5 small meals so it's easier for you to digest. You can also relieve sudden nausea by sucking on sugar-free hard candy or ginger.
If you stop taking Paxil without reducing the dose first, you'll experience unpleasant withdrawal side effects like irritability, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, nightmares, headaches, or skin sensitivity. You may even have more severe symptoms like suicidal thoughts, which is why it's really important to work with your doctor or psychiatrist to gradually cut back on your dose.
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If these don't help, ask your doctor about switching to a slow-release form of Paxil while you're quitting it.
It's also really important to talk with your doctor about why you want to stop taking Paxil. They'll want to be sure that you're able to manage your depression or anxiety without the medication.
Section 2 of 8:What can I do to manage side effects?
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If you're taking Paxil to manage bipolar disorder and you suddenly stop taking the medication, you might switch from depression to mania. It's especially important for you to taper off your dose of Paxil before quitting it completely.
Keep in mind that any mental health issues that you're managing like anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic attacks, or depression, will probably rebound while you're getting off of Paxil. This is another reason it's so important to gradually taper off your dose.
1. It's better to taper off Paxil slowly to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.
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To minimize withdrawal symptoms, your psychiatrist will probably have you gradually reduce the amount of Paxil you take. Since they know your current dosage and history of depression, they can give you specific guidance about how much to take every week. Someone with severe depression will usually need to taper more slowly and be monitored more closely.
2. Joining a self-health group can make you feel supported.
You might feel like you're alone during the tapering process, but that's not true! Your doctor is there to support you and you can find other people in the process of getting off of Paxil, too. Search online for a support group or check local community centers for anti-depressant support groups. Being able to talk with others who are going through the same experiences can really help.
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For instance, if you had been taking 10 mg a day, you'll be able to get off Paxil faster, but you still need to reduce the amount gradually. Go down to 5 mg a day for 1 week. Then, if you feel comfortable, stop taking Paxil.
It's totally fine to adjust your tapering rate if you're experiencing side effects. You may stay at a reduced level for more than a week or cut back by 5 mg instead of 10 mg.
If there isn't a local support group, consider establishing one yourself. Contact local mental health support centers and ask about setting up an anti-depressant withdrawal group.
Section 6 of 8:What helps with Paxil withdrawal?
3. Stay at your lowest dosage for 1 week before you completely stop.
Your doctor or psychiatrist will explain the risks of going off Paxil cold turkey, but they'll probably still want to monitor you if you're determined to stop right away. Either way, they need to know that you're not taking Paxil so they can give you the best care in the future.