Quote:
Originally Posted by fanfaire
Serotonin syndrome happens to some people much easier than doctors expect. I experienced it when a supposedly reputable shrink switched me from Paxil to Prozac abruptly without telling me that Paxil is long-acting and Prozac is short-acting. Apparently, there was a period of time the Paxil was still in my system along with the Prozac I had just started, which had the same effect as a double dose, and it seriously messed me up.
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Actually it is the reverse. But I see your heart is in the right place.
Paxil is very short acting. Elimination half life 21 hrs.
Prozac is 1-3 days depending on the person.
Effexor has one of the shortest half-lives at 5 hrs.
The shorter the half life the harder it is to taper off.
Elimination is also affected by genetic variances in liver enzymes and use of other drugs at the same time. So it can get complicated.
You can get serotonin syndrome by mixing an SSRI with dextromethorphan in cough syrups. (but not everyone does).
People vary in how much serotonin they have. People prone to anxiety disorders, with sensitive traits typically have more. People who get the severe diarrhea and GI side effects when starting, I would think have more serotonin and would be candidates for serotonin syndrome when the drugs are misused or mixed.
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Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017
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