Posted by Ritch on February 12, 2003, at 22:04:01
In reply to panic attacks from tapering Paxil or nortriptyline, posted by Jackster on February 12, 2003, at 12:56:07
> At the advice of my PDoc, I tapered my Paxil (which had pooped out) from 60mg to 30mg in one week. After a week at 30mg I started Nortriptyline 10mg, and titrated up to 30mg over a week. I've been having the panic attacks from hell (breaking through the klonopin) and I'm trying to figure out if it's because the Paxil was tapered too fast, or if it's a reaction to starting the nortriptyline. My PDoc thinks it can't be the nortriptyline. Any ideas?
>
> Thanks
> JackieI agree with Judy. You are probably looking at a Paxil withdrawal combined with the initial startup experience of a NE-reuptake inhibitor (the nortriptyline). Also, Paxil is a very potent inhibitor of the liver enzymes that breakdown and metabolize the nortriptyline. That means your NT levels may be significantly elevated from someone that isn't taking a med along with it such as Paxil. Get a blood draw of the NT levels. Your pdoc might find them a little higher than expected. You went through this with Tegretol+Paxil from what I remember? Teg is like a TCA in this respect as well. Bottom Line: Suggest a slower withdrawal from the Paxil and suggest a slower titration with the nortriptyline.
poster:Ritch
thread:140716
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030208/msgs/140788.html