Do I need to taper off Fluoxetine after only 3 weeks?

[Ohnonina]

Started 20mg 3 weeks ago exactly, had 2 week check with GP and things were bearable at that point but side effects have really ramped up in the last week and I want to stop taking them. Next available appointment is 3 weeks time and I can't tolerate these side effects for that long (extreme insomnia and restless legs, I literally can't sleep or sit still) so haven't taken today's dose and now need to figure out what to do next. Do I still need to taper having only been on the med for 3 weeks or can I just stop at this stage?

My gut feeling is that I don't want to take any more but I obviously also don't want to make things worse for myself. I'm annoyed the GP pushed for this med tbh, I wanted Sertraline (which has worked well for me before) and to discuss HRT for some other symptoms I was experiencing (hot flushes/night sweats) but she insisted Fluoxetine would help with that as well as my depression so I felt pressured to give it a try, really wish I hadn't now.

I would slow it down. I took 10 mg for a few weeks/months before going up to 20

Hm, I'd be tempted to do a little taper. Maybe a half for a couple of days and then stop.

But I doubt cold turkey would do you much harm at this early stage so you might prefer to just get it over with.

With those side effects I would just stop taking them tbh. I know how miserable restless legs is, I've had it for a few years now myself.
How old are you OP? If you are 45 or older the NICE guidelines recommend hrt rather than antidepressants for flushes and night sweats unless there is a medical reason hrt is unsuitable/ you don't want hrt.
As far as antidepressants go trazodone has the lowest risk of causing restless legs and actually helps with sleep. 💐