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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

SSRI Withdrawal

66 replies

Nocd39 · 09/01/2025 17:24

I’ve had problems with 2 different SSRIs and am currently tapering down my dose with a view to coming off my current SSRI completely. Had an awful time getting off the last one, and this time I’ve been having awful headaches and nausea with a lot of tapering off still to go. Anyone else had similar issues? Feeling a bit awful and could do with a handhold.

Onto my AIBU… for this SSRI I was very lucky to have a consultant to discuss it all with so was aware there could be issues if I did come off it, and I’m being supported with a liquid version so can taper slowly. (Only went back on an SSRI as I have severe OCD and there don’t seem to be other good treatments.) However I understand this level of support is unusual and often a liquid isn’t offered leading to people having to divide up tablets to taper off (which I’ve been advised is bad because the medicine isn’t always evenly distributed in the tablets.) Luckily not for everyone but withdrawal from SSRIs is a known serious issue for a significant number of people and anecdotally I know a few people who have given up on coming off them because the withdrawal was so bad.

Especially as so many people take SSRIs, I feel GPs should be warning people of the potential for withdrawal effects, and letting people know the risks and likelihood of this happening. Also, as part of their contracts with the NHS, drugs companies who make huge profits from these drugs should do more research into withdrawal/helping people come off the drugs when no longer needed, and should make liquid products more available and affordable (they can be super expensive.)

Am I being reasonable or unreasonable?!

Would especially be interested in views from HCPs and those taking/who have taken SSRIs.

OP posts:
CornishPorsche · 09/01/2025 18:24

The withdrawal effects are very well and clearly publicised IMO. I was warned by both the GP and pharmacists.

When I somehow managed to miss a week (I make up a dosset box for myself) it was awful so when I did finally come off them I came down very slowly.

I think most people know they can't just stop.

bluejelly · 09/01/2025 18:22

I totally agree OP. Most people are okay coming off them but an unlucky few get bad withdrawal. They need to be much clearer about this - and much more supportive of slow tapering.

Catza · 09/01/2025 17:57

Nocd39 · 09/01/2025 17:52

Yes agree they will be in the leaflet but those aren’t usually very accessible. I think GPS should at least flag to people about withdrawal and direct them to further info if they want it. Definitely didn’t happen the first time I was given them

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That's probably more of a GP problem than the "big pharma" problem. When I was working in CMHT, the standard practice was to give information about medication, including tapering off, provide the patient with the leaflet to read and give them another appointment in a few days once they had a chance to make an informed decision. Only then, it would be prescribed.

Original poster
Nocd39 · 09/01/2025 17:52

Catza · 09/01/2025 17:49

Erm... the withdrawal symptoms are actually widely known and publicised. It's been a while since I was on them but I would be majorly surprised if they are not outlined in the patient information leaflet which comes in the packet. Your GP surgery probably has it's own PIL with the same information. We certainly did in the CMHT I was working in. So it's not a secret at all.

Yes agree they will be in the leaflet but those aren’t usually very accessible. I think GPS should at least flag to people about withdrawal and direct them to further info if they want it. Definitely didn’t happen the first time I was given them

OP posts:
Catza · 09/01/2025 17:49

Erm... the withdrawal symptoms are actually widely known and publicised. It's been a while since I was on them but I would be majorly surprised if they are not outlined in the patient information leaflet which comes in the packet. Your GP surgery probably has it's own PIL with the same information. We certainly did in the CMHT I was working in. So it's not a secret at all.

Original poster
Nocd39 · 09/01/2025 17:44

Greybeardy · 09/01/2025 17:39

what you would find if that was made a condition is that they'd sell their drugs elsewhere and there just wouldn't be anything available 'on the NHS'.

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But they would be missing out on a huge market? You could be right, I’d be very interested to know if conditions like these are ever attached to drugs supply

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 09/01/2025 17:39

Nocd39 · 09/01/2025 17:36

Yes of course they are reluctant, so I think they should be made to do this as a condition of their supplying the drugs to the NHS

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what you would find if that was made a condition is that they'd sell their drugs elsewhere and there just wouldn't be anything available 'on the NHS'.

LoafofSellotape · 09/01/2025 17:36

I never did every other day, just every 4-6 weeks I would taper down.

Original poster
Nocd39 · 09/01/2025 17:36

Greybeardy · 09/01/2025 17:31

drugs companies who make huge profits from these drugs should do more research into withdrawal/helping people come off the drugs when no longer needed.

The drug companies don't want people to come off the drugs - there's no cash in it for them!

Yes of course they are reluctant, so I think they should be made to do this as a condition of their supplying the drugs to the NHS

OP posts:
Original poster
Nocd39 · 09/01/2025 17:35

bellsend · 09/01/2025 17:32

I’m currently going through this. Except I’m having to do the cutting up tablets. I’m now down to quarter cutting a 10mg citalopram tablet and tablet one quarter every other day. Ive had severe dizziness at times and bad headaches. The withdrawal period is horrible. Not sure how long it’s supposed to take but I’ve been cutting down for the last 6 months and even still missing a quarter tablet makes me feel so dizzy and ill.

I’m sorry that sounds rough. I wonder if the every other day is making it worse as the amount in your system will be fluctuating so much. Did your GP advise this?

OP posts:
TheWonderhorse · 09/01/2025 17:34

I take Sertraline and I have to say, it's at least good at it's job. I'm wary of upping my dose which I probably should, but it's no small deal to have another couple of weeks feeling crap while the dose adjusts.

I have panic disorder and I freak out a bit at the thought of missing a day too, which when you're taking 50mg is less of an issue than 150mg. I don't take any of it lightly.

I think I'll be on them forever, partly because the thought of tapering off is horrifying.

canipetthatdawggg · 09/01/2025 17:33

I took Sertraline and paroxetene (not together) before. I thought coming off Sertraline was bad but had to reevaluate because paroxetene withdrawal was horrendous. I didn't get much support coming off them, other than being asked if I wanted to taper it, getting another prescription and being told to buy a pill cutter. I was fairly young and had no idea about liquid versions, I had to just do my best tapering it with the tablets. I would never go on an SSRI again.

I take amitriptyline now though.

Original poster
Nocd39 · 09/01/2025 17:32

LoafofSellotape · 09/01/2025 17:28

I asked the GP for liquid Seroxat to make the last 6mg easier to come off of. I tapered down very gradually and took a good 6 months, slowly slowly is the way to go and that way you get fewer withdrawal symptoms.

Yes totally agree. I’m a couple of months in and have many more months to go. I’m glad your GP was supportive on the liquid. The first time round my GP really pushed back and I had to fight hard to get it (I assume because it’s expensive.)

OP posts:
bellsend · 09/01/2025 17:32

I’m currently going through this. Except I’m having to do the cutting up tablets. I’m now down to quarter cutting a 10mg citalopram tablet and tablet one quarter every other day. Ive had severe dizziness at times and bad headaches. The withdrawal period is horrible. Not sure how long it’s supposed to take but I’ve been cutting down for the last 6 months and even still missing a quarter tablet makes me feel so dizzy and ill.

Greybeardy · 09/01/2025 17:31

drugs companies who make huge profits from these drugs should do more research into withdrawal/helping people come off the drugs when no longer needed.

The drug companies don't want people to come off the drugs - there's no cash in it for them!

LoafofSellotape · 09/01/2025 17:28

I asked the GP for liquid Seroxat to make the last 6mg easier to come off of. I tapered down very gradually and took a good 6 months, slowly slowly is the way to go and that way you get fewer withdrawal symptoms.