Posted by SLS on January 22, 2001, at 15:54:15
In reply to elavil withdrawals and hives?, posted by lissy on January 22, 2001, at 15:20:09
> My mom went cold turkey off elavil about 4 days ago and is itchy all over her body and head could this be withdrawal symptoms and has anyone had any other w/d symptoms she might anticipate?
It would have been better that she taper her dosage gradually. The itching might be a histamine rebound (Elavil has antihistaminic properties). I should think these are withdrawal symptoms that are independent of histamine and has more to do with the potent effect of this drug on the nervous system.Another reason for using a very gradual taper is that it helps to prevent a relapse. There are a great number of statistics to demonstrate that relapse is far more likely when someone discontinues an antidepressant rapidly.
For both of these reasons, I think you might want to consider restarting the Elavil back to her original dosage and plan with her doctor a gradual taper schedule to prevent relapse. This would also prevent any withdrawal reactions.
Really.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:52244
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010122/msgs/52248.html