What happens if you stop Strattera suddenly?

Answer 1

Most of the cases, the deep feeling of depression returns. Along with SSRI/SNRI discontinuation withdrawal symptoms which include:

* "Brain zap", which is a series of shock-like sensations felt in the neck and head. * Iatrogenic sexual dysfunction, due to decrease/loss of libido, along with other mechanisms.

Answer 2

I am not an MD, but a patient and this is my personal experience of what happened to me:

I have been diagnosed with Bipolar I for years. I have been on every medication that is known. The Psychiatrist at the hospital changed me suddenly from one medication to another a few years ago. My Psychiatrist new drug of choice was Seroquel. I was started off slowly and it was increased very rapidly. Soon I was taking 600mg. A year later it was decreased to 300mg. I felt the same but not so sluggish.

I had a horrible almost fatal car accident this year (2011). The first two weeks after the accident I took my medications and had flashbacks constantly of the accident. Replaying the last few seconds in slow motion before I woke up in the ER.

I took my medications for the first two weeks after the accident and then I just decided not to take them. (Cold Turkey) The first few days I felt sick and moody but it went away. The flashbacks from the accident stopped. My mind became clearer (I so think and still do) and even being cut up, scared, with broken bones from the accident I began Acing all my exams and papers at school. (I'm working on my Masters in Forensic Psychology). I began to not sleep well after the first two weeks of stopping the Seroquel but continued to take prescribed sleeping medications. The flashbacks never came back nor did any nightmares. The casts did make it unbearable to sleep in and in my mind I was uncomfortable. Mentally also in my mind I didn't feel sluggish but awake.

Its been 2 months since I stopped the medications. I feel organized, family and friends thinks I am acting clearer and THEY DO know I stopped the medications. I don't look doped up and sluggish. I have a photographic memory (but not flashbacks of the accident) and I can remember a lot of information. The casts are off now but the insomnia is still there.

I recently saw my therapist and she thinks I am doing great. She does NOT know I went off the medications. A few days ago I saw my psychiatrist and she also DOESN'T know I am off the medications. She kept asking constantly if I had flashbacks and nightmares. I told her only the first few weeks and then I got insomnia but explained the casts made it hard to sleep in which was not a lie. I asked her for a stronger dose of sleep aid and she said NO and she prescribed I should double my dose of Seroquel within a week or so.

Drug Pusher?

My appetite is better. (Not to much because I have the gastric bypass and still eat little). I started losing weight again (but haven't started my excercise program since the accident).

The last few days I been closing my eyes and getting an hour sleep a night....then a bit more. But every night I am sleeping a little bit longer even though I am sleeping an hour or two max I feel energized throughout the night and day. I don't feel manic or depressed. I feel me.

I am not suggesting that some people should stop medications abruptly because everyone is different and we react individually.

But this is what has happened to me stopping Seroquel.

Answer 3

Well, to put it short, all the problems you had will come back and maybe more. I stopped my meds but for ambilify. You could get no symptoms or whitdrawl or it could be the worse experience of your life. Depends on how dependant to the medicine you are or were.

Answer 4

Aripiprazole (Abilify) does not have a discontinuation syndrome (or withdrawal symptoms) as it is not an addictive drug. However, it if is stopped suddenly, underlying symptoms (for which it was prescribed) may return fairly quickly. It is generally best to consult with your prescribing physician before contemplating any abrupt action on your own.

Answer 5

http://emc.medicines.org.uk/document.aspx?documentId=14159