Is There A Protocol For Paxil Withdrawal?

QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

I've been on Paxil for 5 1/2 years as a preventative to counter a few mild/moderate depressive episodes, and with good results.  However, a few days without it and I get the very uncomfortable withdrawals you're doubtless familiar with.  I'd like to stop - I'm not sure what using this stuff will do to me down the road (I'm 40 now).  Can you send the protocol for effective withdrawal?

Thanks.

ANSWER:

There is no official "protocol".  There are two ways to do it:

1)    Slowly taper down, such as reducing the dose by 5mg daily every week or two.

2)    Switch to a long acting SSRI medication like Prozac for a few weeks and then abruptly stop it.  The long acting Prozac stays in the body up to a month, and doesn't usually require lowering the dose first. 

If you are one of the 40-60% of people who need to take antidepressants long term, you may feel ill because they are simply stopped.  In other words the symptoms aren't just withdrawal, but a sign that you need to stay on your medication.