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Can Pexep CR Be Abruptly Discontinued?

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Posted on Fri, 30 Oct 2015
Question: Can I leave pexep cr 12.5 after 3 months.I feel better after taking pexep cr12.5 for 3 months ...should I be continue or drop it...I heard this is not a good drug for long term use
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
do not stop the drug abruptly.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.

Good to know that you are feeling better with pexep-cr 12.5mg.

Its an antidepressant drug. The standard clinical practice in treating depression is to continue the antidepressant for at least 6-9 months after complete recovery of symptoms.

In my opinion, you should take pexep for another 3-6 months to minimize the chances of relapse of depression.

Yes, pexep does have side effects like every drug. It can cause weight gain, sleepiness, sexual problems, dry mouth. But these are reversible when drug is stopped.

Also, please do not stop pexep abruptly as it can cause withdrawal symptoms. It has to be stopped gradually.

Kindly keep in touch with your treating doctor.

Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.

Take care.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 hours later)
Oh no!!! I hv dropped all of d drugs 4days before...tiday I feel a little drowsiness n blurred vision,tiredness,and some anxiety...I start taking drugs from today evening...i knew that I hv to continue these medicine for 6 months more and I will continue..I want to ask is any problem occurs in future due to leaave medicine for 4 days brfore???plz tell me more about gradual withdrawal after 6-9 months of medicine and plz tell me what drugs should be taken with these drugs for stomach heaviness and morning sickness caused by pexep and other drugs
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
take the drug as directed, do not stop abruptly.

Detailed Answer:
The symptoms which you experienced after abrupt stopping of drugs were probably withdrawal effects.

In my opinion, there would not be any problem in future due to stoppibg of drugs for these 4 days. But, I suggest you to continue with your treatment as directed by your doctor.

You now take pexep 12.5 mg. Gradual withdrawal will be to drop pexep to 10mg for two weeks, then to 5mg for another two weeks and then stop.

Gastric upset caused by pexep can be treated by drugs like pantocid-DSR. Take one tablet empty stomach in morning. This will help.

Keep in touch with your doctor.
I wish you well.
Take care.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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Can Pexep CR Be Abruptly Discontinued?

Brief Answer: do not stop the drug abruptly. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I can understand your concerns. Good to know that you are feeling better with pexep-cr 12.5mg. Its an antidepressant drug. The standard clinical practice in treating depression is to continue the antidepressant for at least 6-9 months after complete recovery of symptoms. In my opinion, you should take pexep for another 3-6 months to minimize the chances of relapse of depression. Yes, pexep does have side effects like every drug. It can cause weight gain, sleepiness, sexual problems, dry mouth. But these are reversible when drug is stopped. Also, please do not stop pexep abruptly as it can cause withdrawal symptoms. It has to be stopped gradually. Kindly keep in touch with your treating doctor. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further. Take care. Regards.