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Can Fluoxetine Be Tapered Off With Another Medication?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Apr 2018
Question: is there a brand of fluoxetine that i can get to tape off fluoxetine 20mg?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Only 10 mg

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

Unfortunately we have option of 10 mg and 20 mg fluoxetine and no brand is available for tapering off this medicine.

Generally rather than cutting the dose increasing the gap between the medicine helps in withdrawal symptoms. This is based on the fact that fluoxetine is long acting medication so first you can go for alternate day dosing for 7 days followed by one dose every third day for another week followed by every fourth day for one week and so on. Once the dossing schedule reaches once in week it can be stopped all together without fear of withdrawal symptoms.

I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (25 minutes later)
is there an option for a liquid form that i could use? one doctor here suggested using the liquid preparation of fluoxetine may work. is this an option i can try and is ut available everywhere?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it can be used if available

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.

Liquid form is not available in country of my practice but can be used if available. Since your doctor recommended it, I am sure it must be available in your city/state.

Regarding use I must make it clear that it can be used without any problem as it is absorbed excellently.

I hope this answers you further.
Thanks again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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Can Fluoxetine Be Tapered Off With Another Medication?

Brief Answer: Only 10 mg Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. Unfortunately we have option of 10 mg and 20 mg fluoxetine and no brand is available for tapering off this medicine. Generally rather than cutting the dose increasing the gap between the medicine helps in withdrawal symptoms. This is based on the fact that fluoxetine is long acting medication so first you can go for alternate day dosing for 7 days followed by one dose every third day for another week followed by every fourth day for one week and so on. Once the dossing schedule reaches once in week it can be stopped all together without fear of withdrawal symptoms. I hope this helps you. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386 Thanks and regards.