I've been taking Prestiq for more than one year for palpitations.It helped me a lot. The big question is that how to wean off this med if no smaller doze is available than 50 mg??? My doc said just half it. It's not right to crush coated pi I've put more than 50 lb which makes me consider weaning off this med. I had very rough experience when missed my doze once-vertigo, nausea, anxiety and high BP . My doc says I should half my doze. Is it appropriate to cut this pill?
How to wean off Prestiq 50mg QD to minimize withdraw symptoms?
Question posted by Veronicahbg on 6 Sep 2010
Last updated on 21 January 2015
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3 Answers
kareemDc
15 March 2011
I don't think it's appropriate to cut the pills. I was on prestiq for about 9 months. With my doctor's agreement, I decided it wasn't helping me and to taper off slowly.
I tapered off for appromiatemly six weeks. During the first two weeks I skipped one day. The second two weeks I skipped two days. The third and final two weeks I skipped three days. Last week was my final week. Five days have passed since my last pill.
I've never gone this long without taking Prestiq. The side effects are managable. I feel a little dizzy, foggy and some virtigo. But it's not as bad as I expected it to be. I'm expecting the side effects from stopping the drug to go away soon.
Lsk1971
21 Jan 2015
You can cut the tablets. It may say not to in the pamphlet & the oharmacist may even say it's not recommended, but you can.
I'm currently tapering myself. My psychiatrist is a also a pharmacist and cutting the pills is exactly how they taper you off of them.
My psychiatrist recommended a bit slower taper bc going from 100mg to 50mg made me feel flu aches and "eye dizziness." The taper he gave me for going off of 100mg is:
2 weeks @ 75mg
2 weeks @50mg
2 weeks @ 25mg
Then stop.
Do not ever quit cold turkey & always consult your physician before making any changes to your meds.
Follow up stories of those who've successfully gotten off of Pristiq would be helpful.
jk13
7 Sep 2010
ommm... I'd get a different doctor. Pristiq as it says on the medication information sheet, not to crush, chip, or half the medication as it would release too much too quickly. Your doctor should know this. You're best bet is to switch to a different SNRI, and taper off of that. Which med, I don't know as I'm not a doctor, but telling you to half it tells me that the doctor doesn't know what they're talking about... I don't mean to sound harsh, but in situations like this, it's important to have an experienced professional handling this sort of thing. Good luck, and I hope that all goes well!
Jeff K
Marvell
6 Sep 2010
Pristiq tablets are extended release so yes you are right they shouldn't be halved. I'm not certain about what they do when weaning you down ... discuss with your doctor again. I know for some other medicines they dose every alternate day ... so that may be an option.
Related topics
pristiq, arrhythmia, anxiety, panic disorder
Further information
- Pristiq uses and safety info
- Pristiq prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Pristiq (detailed)
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