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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Quetiapine

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Posted on Tue, 8 Sep 2015
Question: what is the easiest way to stop quitipine 25mg cold turkey. been on quitipine for 3 years now. I don't want to have this drug anymore. please help me
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Abrupt dose reduction might cause withdrawal

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic

I can understand your concern. Quetiapine is an antipsychotic drug, the drug cause changes at receptor levels if taken regularly. You have been taking the drug since last 3 years so stopping the drug abruptly might cause withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, restlessness, increase in anxiety etc symptoms. So even though you are taking minimal doses of Quetiapine still I wouldn't advise you to stop the drug abruptly. In my opinion you should take half tablet for at least 2 weeks and then stop the drug completely. For any relapse of anxiety symptoms low dose benzodiazepines like Clonazepam can be used on Sos basis. Dose reduction in this manner wouldn't cause withdrawal.

Discuss with your doctor before making any change in prescription.

Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (25 hours later)
I stopped my quitipine last night. not getting proper sleep. please suggest me a way to get natural sleep.please
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Low dose benzoidiazepines can help

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question

As you have stopped the Quetiapine abruptly so slight insomnia, restlessness will occur but these symptoms will reduce progressively as passage of time. Wait for a couple of days and your body will start adjusting to the drug free state. If you have prescription of any good benzodiazepine then it can be taken on SOS basis for some time. This will help to reduce the insomnia and anxiety. Zzzquil is a sleep aid that is available OTC and no prescription is needed. You can think of this for some time till your body start getting natural sleep.

Thanks. Still have more doubts please ask 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. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Quetiapine

Brief Answer: Abrupt dose reduction might cause withdrawal Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic I can understand your concern. Quetiapine is an antipsychotic drug, the drug cause changes at receptor levels if taken regularly. You have been taking the drug since last 3 years so stopping the drug abruptly might cause withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, restlessness, increase in anxiety etc symptoms. So even though you are taking minimal doses of Quetiapine still I wouldn't advise you to stop the drug abruptly. In my opinion you should take half tablet for at least 2 weeks and then stop the drug completely. For any relapse of anxiety symptoms low dose benzodiazepines like Clonazepam can be used on Sos basis. Dose reduction in this manner wouldn't cause withdrawal. Discuss with your doctor before making any change in prescription. Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again