Hi i am new to all of this but i was wondering if anyone has has switched from paxil to cymbalta. I have an oppiate addiction that i have overcome with the help of suboxen, but have a herniated disk in my back and heard cybalta may help eleviate pain. Does anyone know if this is true and due you just stop the paxil c/t or due you have to wean yourself off of it? Does cybalta make you tired? And is it good for anxiety? Sorry about all the questions but believe it or not my doctor didn't even know. Makes me wonder!!!
I was wondering if switching from paxil to cymbalta you continue to taper off paxil?
Question posted by Woodmizer on 4 July 2011
Last updated on 29 April 2012
Answers
Inactive
4 July 2011
Hey Woodmizer, Just generally speaking you do need to taper down one antidepressant when starting another, but I am Not a doctor. If you will consult a couple of Pharmacists, you will get the best answer, Pharmacists are the true medication experts, so, use a couple of their opinions to help you. If I am not mistaken, Paxil is an ssri, Cymbalta is a ssnri. There is a difference in how they work, one works only on serontonin, the other ( cymbalta) works on both serontonin and norpenephrine and I did probably spell both of those wrong. If you will go to wikipedia.org and look up ssri, ssnri, paxil and cymbalta, you will have more info to go on. Good Luck, sure hope it works, pain is a terrible thing to have to deal with. Patti
LaurieShay
4 July 2011
Hey Woodmizer,
I always recommend tapering off one antidepressant while slowly starting another. Some doctors don't though. I have found Cymbalta to be very good for helping with pain though it can make you tired. It may also help with some of your anxiety as it targets the same neurotransmitter as Paxil plus an additional one. The Cymbalta probably won't alleviate all the pain but might definitely help.
What is the doctor recommending as far as stopping the Paxil and starting the Cymbalta? What dose of Paxil are you on? I can help you with a taper plan, if you would like.
Best wishes,
Laurie
tori777
29 April 2012
I saw your response and would like your opinion on my situation. I take Paxil CR 25mg. It's not helping much and because I also have osteoarthritis pain, I thought Cymbalta was worth looking at. What taper dose (if any) would you recommend for me, so I can discuss it with my Provider???
LaurieShay
29 April 2012
Paxil comes in a 12.5mg pill. You could ask the provider for the lower dosage pill in order to taper before trying the cymbalta. Once you are down to 12.5mgs a day for a week or so, you can go to everyother day for a couple weeks while starting on 30mg Cymbalta and working upto the 60mg daily dosage. I'm sure your doctor will have their own idea as to how to do this, but this is what I would suggest.
tori777
29 April 2012
Hi Laurie,
I think your suggestion is a very good one!!! My Provider mentioned doing a change very similar, but I told her some people go directly from one to the other, so I thought I ask people that actually take the medication what they did so I could get a better idea what others are doing... Thank you and have a great evening... ~
Vicki
LaurieShay
29 April 2012
You are welcome Vicki!!
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cymbalta, paxil, suboxone, addiction
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