Editorial Note: How long does withdrawal last? How much overlap is there between antipsychotic, benzodiazepine and antidepressant withdrawal? This is the first of two posts covering these issues. All answers later this week in part two. For Antipsychotic Withdrawal - see also Carole's Story. I was prescribed olanzapine 20 mg in 2001, as a mood stabilizer, following the … [Read more...] about Olanzapine Withdrawal: Sally’s Story
Withdrawal
Girl on a Hot Tin Roof: Drug Withdrawal Syndrome
Editorial Note: There are two reasons to run Katie B-T's story here. One is the phenomenon of burning feet she reports. This seems common with benzodiazepine like drugs, including gabapentin and pregabalin. We would love to hear from others who have had problems like this - how long did the problem last, what helped if anything. The second reason is to launch the Notes on … [Read more...] about Girl on a Hot Tin Roof: Drug Withdrawal Syndrome
New Guide to Stopping Antidepressants
The RxISK Medical Team has posted a “final” copy of the RxISK Guide to Stopping Antidepressants. Thanks to all for your feedback on the Guide (originally published as a draft paper) and please continue to provide input for the next version. … [Read more...] about New Guide to Stopping Antidepressants
SoS: Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
The first benzodiazepine, Librium, came on the market in 1960, followed three years later by Valium. By the late 1960s the benzos were selling in vast amounts. In the 1970s Valium became the best selling drug on Earth. While Leo Hollister and others put forward suggestions that you could get hooked to them as early as 1961, the main concern in the early years was their huge … [Read more...] about SoS: Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
SoS: Anti-clotting drugs – Fiona’s story
Editorial note: Fiona's story (FB) was the first RxISK story filed. It is reproduced here. Data from FDA's MedWatch system noting withdrawal problems on clopidogrel and Plavix are laid out in the Table at the bottom. Fiona's story I had a heart attack two years ago and was prescribed Clopidogrel and low dose Aspirin as my after care. Several months ago it was decided that I … [Read more...] about SoS: Anti-clotting drugs – Fiona’s story
Dopamine Antagonist Withdrawal Syndrome – Carole’s Story
The last post outlined the horrors of dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS). This week's features the equally grim horror of dopamine antagonist withdrawal syndrome (DAAWS). The dopamine antagonists include the antipsychotic, anti-nausea, anti-itch and other groups of drugs. The antipsychotics were the first of the modern psychotropic drugs to be linked to severe … [Read more...] about Dopamine Antagonist Withdrawal Syndrome – Carole’s Story
Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome (DAWS)
Editorial note: Renny's story chillingly outlines the misery of Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome (DAWS). Below this we present data from RxISK's SoS Zone showing rates of Symptoms on Stopping and related problems on Dopamine Agonists which fully bear out her personal experience. I was prescribed Mirapex (Pramipexole), a ‘Dopamine Agonist’, in early 2012 for ‘Restless Legs … [Read more...] about Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome (DAWS)
RxISK’s SoS Zone: Symptoms on Stopping
[Note: The current version of the Withdrawal Zone works differently than described below.] Birth of the SoS zone Backed into a corner by Panorama's Shelley Jofre in 2003, GSK's Alastair Benbow was faced with an accusation that GSK's Paxil - Seroxat was addictive. No it's not he said. He had a snag though, he couldn't use the words withdrawal or dependence, as to most people … [Read more...] about RxISK’s SoS Zone: Symptoms on Stopping
Trouble stopping your meds? New tool from RxISK can help
Editorial Note: Following a redesign of the website in 2015, the Symptoms on Stopping Zone mentioned in this article now works differently. You can search for withdrawal related side effects in the Drugs A-Z section. Side effects can be reported using the main “Report a Side Effect” function. Free online tool to research and report prescription drug side effects on … [Read more...] about Trouble stopping your meds? New tool from RxISK can help
Doctor Experiences Antidepressant Withdrawal
Editorial Note: Sven Ternov, a doctor working in Sweden, recently wrote this article which appeared in DagensMedicin in January 2013. He has translated it for RxISK. Several other doctors have written about their difficulties in withdrawing from antidepressants - mostly men which is interesting. Posts to RxISK on the topic of withdrawal, Antidepressant Withdrawal: V's … [Read more...] about Doctor Experiences Antidepressant Withdrawal