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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should I Wean Off SSRIs, Remeron And Abilify?

I keep trying to wean myself off of SSRI's, as well as Remeron and Abilify. I have gained so much weight I now qualify for gastric bypass surgery. When I stop Prozac, I get suicidal. And Abilify makes me so happy I have to remind myself I'm overeating, over-spending, and making risky sexual decisions, and can't focus on what's important in life. What's your advice? And don't doctors realize these are very powerful drugs?
Mon, 22 Jun 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. You are on SSRI Fluoxetine, Remeron or Mirtazapine and Abilify or Aripiprazole. All these drugs are used in depression. You have gained significant weight after taking the drugs and out of these drugs Remeron or Mirtazapine is associated with side effects of significant weight gain. So as you have gained a lot of weight first thing I'd advise you to talk to your doctor and wean of that drug. The doses can be weaned off easily by reducing the doses by 20-25% of dose every two weeks. This would not result in withdrawal symptoms. Prozac or Fluoxetine is not associated with significant weight gain so this drug can be used easily without any risk. Increase in dose of Fluoxetine would make your depression under control. Abilify is an antipsychotic and mood stabiliser and has been added to your prescription to stabilise mood. If the drug is making you euphoric and your bipolar symptoms are increasing with the drug then talk to your doctor and ask for dose adjustments.

Doctors realise that these are powerful drugs but to treat the patients they have to prescribe these drugs. These drugs help to come out of depression so are not harmful drugs. They have given you the drugs for your welfare only.

Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist.
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Should I Wean Off SSRIs, Remeron And Abilify?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. You are on SSRI Fluoxetine, Remeron or Mirtazapine and Abilify or Aripiprazole. All these drugs are used in depression. You have gained significant weight after taking the drugs and out of these drugs Remeron or Mirtazapine is associated with side effects of significant weight gain. So as you have gained a lot of weight first thing I d advise you to talk to your doctor and wean of that drug. The doses can be weaned off easily by reducing the doses by 20-25% of dose every two weeks. This would not result in withdrawal symptoms. Prozac or Fluoxetine is not associated with significant weight gain so this drug can be used easily without any risk. Increase in dose of Fluoxetine would make your depression under control. Abilify is an antipsychotic and mood stabiliser and has been added to your prescription to stabilise mood. If the drug is making you euphoric and your bipolar symptoms are increasing with the drug then talk to your doctor and ask for dose adjustments. Doctors realise that these are powerful drugs but to treat the patients they have to prescribe these drugs. These drugs help to come out of depression so are not harmful drugs. They have given you the drugs for your welfare only. Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist.