I went 4 days without taking it and started to have anxiety. So I started taking it again. How to stop without my anxiety coming back? I also take buspirone.
Is Trintellix usually also prescribed for anxiety, or is it mostly for depression?
Sometimes I think Trintellix makes my anxiety worse. I like buspirone though. Been taking it for 3 years with no problem.
How can I stop taking Trintellix without having withdrawal syndrome?
Question posted by Anonymous on 25 Jan 2019
Last updated on 29 January 2019
Added 25 Jan 2019:
I was wondering if, when I try to stop taking Trintellix, that the increased anxiety is a withdrawal side effect that will go away if I can get through that first week or 2 of side effects from not taking it anymore. I cut one in half and took it yesterday.
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
Answers
WildcatVet
25 Jan 2019
From Mental Health Daily on symptoms of Trintellex dicontinuation:
"Anxiety: Upon discontinuation of any drug that has influenced serotonergic functions within the brain, you may feel anxiety. The anxiety may be mild or more extreme during the early stages of withdrawal. If you feel more anxious than usual, and have recently stopped this drug, it is likely due to the fact that your neurochemistry needs to readjust, specifically that which involves serotonin."
Have you consulted your doctor about the best way to discontinue your medication?
Inactive
25 Jan 2019
Hi Wildcat: Yeah... that's what I was afraid that's what the answer would be, about the anxiety, I mean.
Yes, I consulted with my doctor when I had to change doses because of severe constipation. Actually my nurse practitioner has been my follow-up professional since I saw my new doctor who started me on Trintellix several months ago. I have changed doses a few times and stopped for a week or 2 here or there, to deal with side effects. She told me on my last visit that I could take it if I wanted to, or I could just quit taking it. So I thought it would not be a problem a few days ago when I tried to just quit, but, for the first time since I started taking it, I had an extremely anxious reaction! I felt panic and crying. I was not expecting any of this. So yesterday, after missing several days, I cut a 10mg. tablet in half and took it, thinking about trying that for several days to cut down, before I try to quit.
Maybe a 5mg dose would work better for me to reduce the severity of some of the side effects I had been experiencing. Hopefully, as you have stated here, this is my neurochemistry needing to readjust to the serotonin changes. I am not depressed, Trintellix was just added to my buspirone, which (buspirone) on its own, seems to successfully keep my anxiety in check. I don't like the feeling I am having with withdrawals for now, even thought I suspected that this could happen! Thanks again for your help. I plan to continue taking the buspirone which has helped all along when taken by itself.
Inactive
28 Jan 2019
Hi Wildcat: I had a conversation with my nurse practitioner about my situation with Trintellix, and also spoke with my pharmacist about it. They both relieved me of my reservations about continuing on Trintellix. I thought it was only for depression and I explained that I am not depressed. They assured me that Trintellix is given off label for anxiety and have many patients with success stories who have taken Trintellix strictly for anxiety. I also had stopped it a few times due to constipation, and each time I stopped for a week, it started the initial side effects to surface once again. I was frustrated and thought it wouldn't work for me. Now I know that if I continue to take it daily I will not have to continue these start up side effects. I do feel better, and I have gotten over the constipation now and feeling so much better. I just wanted to mention this so that others who are reading this will know that, if they stick with it, it will work out for you.
I just got my prescription refilled today and have decided to continue taking it. My pharmacist says this is a very safe antidepressant to take long term for anxiety. Yay!
WildcatVet
29 Jan 2019
Good news! Keep us posted, okay?
Inactive
29 Jan 2019
Hi Wildcat: Thank you again for your help. It helps to have support to keep going when having doubts about a medication, and encouragement to keep it up, and to keep in contact with the doctor during this time. I have had help here from you and others, and I hope that I will be of help to someone else at some point, to keep going when having doubts and feeling discouraged. Thanks!
Related topics
anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, buspirone, withdrawal, prescription, syndrome, trintellix
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.