Many illicit drugs, chemicals, and even medications produce withdrawal symptoms due to abrupt discontinuation of intake. It has been observed for such symptoms to develop, one needs to be entirely dependent on drugs, either physical, psychological, or both, for an extended period. Generally, dependence occurs in a dose-dependent manner, and withdrawal symptoms are different for different drugs. Anxiety, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, vomiting, and sweating are typical withdrawal symptoms.
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I want to quit smoking. Kindly guide.
Query: Hello doctor,I am a 37-year-old man seeking guidance and encouragement as I want to quit smoking for the betterment of my health and overall well-being. What proven strategies or approaches are most effective for smoking cessation? Are there specific programs, medications, or behavioral therapies wi... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. Smoking is hazardous to health. I suggest one of the most effective strategies to quit smoking is to use nicotine supplements and nicotine chewing gums. Programs that help quit smoking include one-on-one or group gatherin... Read Full »
I stopped taking Venlafaxine for my anxiety. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I suffer from anxiety, ever since I was young. My anxiety comes in the form of severe nausea, dizziness, hot and cold sweats, and extreme fear of throwing up. I have been taking the drug Venlafaxine for the same, and I suffer from withdrawal symptoms. I have started losing control. I a... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and understood your concern. You have been smoking marijuana which may be the cause of your anxiety. Sudden discontinuation of Venlafaxine (antidepressant) can cause withdrawal symptoms. It is better for you to be compliant with your m... Read Full »
Will lower dose of Xanax help in stopping the hallucination effect of higher dose?
Query: Hello doctor, I was on 0.5 mg Xanax for one month. As per my psychiatrist, I went cold turkey from the dose. After eight days I started having mild hallucinations such as a knock on the door, smells, and visual disturbances. I went back to 0.25 mg (on day 10). Will the hallucinations stop if I cont... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern related to Xanax (Alprazolam). Usually, Xanax has a half-life of around 12 hours and is fully eliminated from the body in about four days. You may be well aware that Xanax is a habit-forming drug and is meant to be taken only for a sho... Read Full »
How can I overcome the withdrawal symptoms of the tablet Alprazolam and reduce its dose to 0.25 mg?
Query: Hello doctor, I was prescribed the tablet Alprazolam 0.5. I took it for three months. I had difficulty quitting the medicine as I had worse withdrawal symptoms. Nevertheless, I have managed to reduce the dose to 0.25 mg, and I am fine with it. I am trying to reduce the dose again to 0.125 mg, but wi... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Alprazolam is a short-acting Benzodiazepine that produces many withdrawal symptoms. Weaning off from it may be difficult for you. So I suggest you request your doctor to replace it with a long-acting Benzodiazepine, like Clonazepam or Chlordiazepoxide. Read Full »
I feel low and depressive after stopping Sertraline for three weeks. Should I be concerned?
Query: Hi doctor, I have been off Sertraline for three weeks now according to my doctor's advice. I have been fine other than the dizziness shortly after coming off the last dose. However, today I woke up feeling in a depressive stage again. I am not sure if it is the ‘can not be bothered with anything�... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to iclinq.com. I understand your concern. Did you quit the Tablet Sertraline gradually or in one shot? It might be a relapse of depression or signs of withdrawal. Since how long have you been taking Tablet Sertraline and what dosage was it taken? The variation in heart rate is seco... Read Full »
I am addicted to schizophrenia medication. Kindly help.
Query: Hi doctor, I have been taking medicines for schizophrenia for the last 16 years. I could not stop it earlier because my father was adamant about this. As a result, I got addicted to it. Now, whenever I try to stop it, the withdrawal effect of the medicine does not allow me to lead a normal life. My ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. If you are doing good and are symptom free, you can discuss with your doctor to stop taking medicines. Tablet Quetiapine is not an addicting medicine. The drug can be stopped by gradually reducing the doses. No need to get worried about that. The dose can be reduced ... Read Full »
How to taper Ativan drug dosage after six weeks of usage?
Query: Hello doctor, I need help with an Ativan taper from a psychiatrist. I am having Ativan taper withdrawal for six weeks and it is 0.5 mg at bedtime for insomnia. I have a history of panic from the same medicine 30 years ago and a bad experience with Xanax 10 years ago. Currently, I am on Ativan 0.5 mg... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. Please elaborate on your issue in detail. Ativan is Lorazepam and it is a short-acting benzodiazepine drug. The dose 0.5 mg is very less and if you want to stop the drug then this can be stopped. For episodic exacerbations, the drug can be ... Read Full »
My 91-year-old mother experiences withdrawal symptoms due to changes in her medications. Why?
Query: Hello doctorMy mother is 91 years old and is very healthy and bright. She has been taking 5 mg of Nitrazepam for years at night to help her sleep. I do not know why but her doctor has changed it to Zolpidem 5 mg. This was a week ago. Over the last few days, she started to display what I recognized c... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. I have gone through the detailed history you have given. In my opinion, we should not change ongoing medicine for sleep if she is doing good. I will suggest you continue with Nitrazepam only. Do not start with Zolpidem. Is it possible... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor,I am an 18-year-old female and I am looking to come off these two medications:Mirtazapine 45 mgOlanzapine 7.5 mgI have been on both these medications for about a year and a half, but was on Olanzapine for nine years. I was in a mental health unit and was discharged six months back to my... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. As the famous saying goes by one of the authors, I suggest you get every experience in life be it good, bad, sweet, or bitter. Do not be afraid of anything and become more mature. The pain can make you alert. Several st... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, I was supposed to take Prodep 20 mg for 21 days but stopped after five days. Will there be any consequences? Thanks. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. If you are not regular and have started lately and only for five days for the first time, then nothing would be experienced unless you have been on long and have suddenly stopped it, then you would have withdrawal symptoms. I hope this informati... Read Full »
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