Tapering of Anti-depressants / Klono.

fischee · Post by **fischee** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:54 pm

I posted this earlier, but didn't get any responses. I'm really curious about this, and would like to hear both + and - experiences.
Thanks to all in advance!

Has anyone tapered off their anti-depressant and then the anti-anxiety? I'm on both klono (1 mg BID) and 100 mgs. zoloft. I've been off and on zoloft (even quit it cold turkey- no significant side effects), and I don't know why I even started taking it again; I really don't feel like it does much of anything for me.

I'm really curious to know if anyone has had success going this route.

fischee

Barb G. · Post by **Barb G.** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:31 am

I asked this same question on another site and this was a taper schedule a Pharmacologist sent to me for Klonopin. I'm down to .25 BID, it worked pretty good so far, no issues.

As far as the Zoloft I would go off that second, it's less dependant and you can taper slowly off that after you level off for a month or two.

See schedule below:

The best way to discontinue Klonopin at this point would be to implement a twice daily dosing regimen (0.5 mg, twice daily), under medical supervision. In a period of two weeks, the drug will accumulate to steady-state. Within a period of one month, it will accumulate to 1.5 times that of steady-state. Once the accumulation process is complete, the drug may be gradually reduced as follows:

Weeks 1-4 - Remove 0.125 mg (1/4 of a 0.5 mg tablet) from the morning dose.

Weeks 5-8 - Remove 0.125 mg from the night dose. You are now stabilized on 0.375 mg, b.i.d.

Weeks 9 -12 - Remove 0.125 mg from the morning dose. You are now taking 1/2 of a 0.5 mg tablet (0.25 mg).

Weeks 13-16 - Remove 0.125 mg from the night dose. You are now stabilized on 0.25 mg, b.i.d.

Weeks 17-20 - Remove 0.125 mg from the morning dose. You are now taking 1/4 of an 0.5 mg tablet.

Weeks 21-24 - Remove 0.125 mg from the night dose. You are now stabilized on 0.125 mg, b.i.d.

Weeks 25-28 - Omit the morning dose. Continue to take the 0.125 mg night dose.

Week 32 - The Klonopin is now discontinued properly.

Carolyn Dickman · Post by **Carolyn Dickman** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:01 am

Much thanks- this looks reasonable, and it's reassuring that you've had success.
fischee

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:26 pm

I quit taking my anti-depressant over a couple of months, but I think I am having side effects.
I am feeling spacey and off balance is this from quitting my med or something else?

Britt55 · Post by **Britt55** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:19 pm

Good questions, and this is one of my fears (even though I never had any side effects before). Are you on other meds, too? You could probably ask your pharmacist how long it takes for the body to metabolize the Rx you were on; this would give you an idea of if the drug is still in your body. You might also want to check out some vitamin supplements. Most of these drugs depelete your bodies of essential nutrients. Here are two good websites for reliable information:
<A HREF="http://www.pointofreturn.com/home.html" TARGET=_blank>www.pointofreturn.com/home.html</A>
<A HREF="http://www.theroadback.org" TARGET=_blank>www.theroadback.org</A>

Best Wishes,
fischee