Discontinuation of 10mg chloripramine - Mental Health Sup...

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Discontinuation of 10mg chloripramine

Patsymae profile image
15 Replies

Hi, for years I was on 10 mg of chloripramine, which suited me . Then 4 years ago, I went up to 20mg after some stress. It’s been fine. Then I was feeling so much better earlier this year, I started occasionally taking 10 mg again. Then I was told they don’t make 10mg anymore, the lowest dose is 25mg. It was far too strong, and made me too fuzzy headed. The doctor said as I was feeling better, maybe I could try weaning myself off them. I did this, and was ok, then started getting dreadful withdrawal symptoms, and th depression which I hadn’t had for so long was coming back. So 3 weeks ago, doctor gave me imipramine 10mg to try. I’ve felt dreadful on them. Anxiety, depression worse, headaches, haven’t even been able to go to work. So phoned doctor Friday, who said she didn’t know which pill to prescribe, and suggested coming off them.and she would get a specialist to phone me to decide what to do. I didn’t take one Friday, and Saturday I felt so much better, much clearer headed and brighter. Didn’t take one Saturday, and yesterday felt dreadful! So took one last night. Doctor said to wean off every other night.

I’ve gone in a month from feeling completely normal, to depression and anxiety again. Has anyone found an alternative to chloripramine?

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Patsymae
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15 Replies
_Alex_ profile image
_Alex_

Couldn't you just have broken the 25mg tablet in half and tried that?

Patsymae profile image
Patsymae in reply to _Alex_

I couldn’t as they’re capsules

_Alex_ profile image
_Alex_ in reply to Patsymae

Yeah that's more of a hassle. But it can still be split into half doses if you really needed to.

_Alex_ profile image
_Alex_

Prescriptions last longer when you are taking half pills anyway.

_Alex_ profile image
_Alex_

If it's capsules then that's more of a hassle, but you could still open them up to get a half dose if you really wanted to.

_Alex_ profile image
_Alex_

Who told you they don't make 10mg anymore? Your doctor or pharmacist?

Anyway, if you haven't already tried it, amitriptyline might be a substitute.

Patsymae profile image
Patsymae in reply to _Alex_

Will ask doc about that one

Patsymae profile image
Patsymae

The pharmacist, and if you google them, they say they don’t make 10mg anymore

_Alex_ profile image
_Alex_

I don't know what area you are in.

Where I live (UK) they still seem to make them as generic.

_Alex_ profile image
_Alex_

I'm guessing you mean clomipramine by the way?

I didn't know this, but apparently it's a more powerful serotonin reuptake inhibitor than any other medicine used, including all of the SSRIs. So unusually for a tricyclic, it gets used for OCD.

Patsymae profile image
Patsymae in reply to _Alex_

Yes , I read that, but I don’t have ocd, but was prescribed it 20 years ago for anxiety and depression. I live in south east, nowhere has 10 mg chloripramine

Patsymae profile image
Patsymae

Would love to find something to replace it, but imipramine is definitely not good

_Alex_ profile image
_Alex_ in reply to Patsymae

I think the replacement they already gave you, is maybe the closest thing there is in terms of chemical structure, (?), and so if that didn't work, then anything else is probably just going to be a guess as to whether it works for you / can be tolerated.

If other tricyclic don't work for you, then consider the tetracyclic mirtazapine. Not difficult to get a prescription for it, and the side effects may be way less than for tricyclics. (After the initial tiredness anyway.)

MAS_Nurse profile image
MAS_Nurse

Hello Patsymae,

We are sorry to hear how you are feeling. It's a shame that the dosage which suited you now appears to have been discontinued.

Have you spoken to the specialist mentioned by your doctor yet? He/She will be best placed to advise you on other medication and on the best way to wean yourself off your existing medication.

Please let us know the outcome.

Warm wishes

MAS Nurse & Moderator

Patsymae profile image
Patsymae

Thanks

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