Zoloft Withdrawal and Vyvanse?

[beckiee92]

The last time I took Zoloft, which I took for anxiety for a little over four years, was about a week ago. I tapered off it as directed by my psychiatrist, but I may have not done it gradually enough (I took my regular dose of 50 MG for about a week, then half of that for another week, and then I took half of a half for about 2-3 days since it was getting too hard to break it that small). Throughout the week, I felt a bit dizzy at times and a bit out of it, but I didn't make the connection until a few days ago that it could be withdrawals from the Zoloft. This weekend, I've felt awful. I have experienced mental confusion, extreme anxiety/fear, dizziness, depersonalization, slight depression, and I just don't feel like myself at all and everything just seems off/weird. What I have noticed though is that these symptoms become more intense when I take Vyvanse (20 MG). Do you think it's possible for Vyvanse to increase the symptoms of Zoloft withdrawal in some way?

Thanks!

[beckiee92]

Oh, and I've been extremely irritable/agitated.

[cloroxidized]

It sounds like the taper was fast for a a shorter acting SSRI like Zoloft vs Prozac for example where it's half life is long enough (among other pharmacological dynamics) where you can simply stop taking it at any time. It may very well have been that the Zoloft was helping with the anxiety that stimulants like vyvanse can produce.

Being agitated and irritable is certainly a side effect of the stimulant and very well could be exacerbated or apparent now or even possibly worsened by the speed of the Zoloft taper. It's difficult to say with certainty given the number of factors going on.

You should consult your psychiatrist and you may consider a lower dose of vyvanse that balances the positives and negatives for you given the lack of presence. I had to reduce my stimulant dosage when I tapered off benzodiazepines awhile ago, but I found the lower dosage equally as effective. Hopefully you may experience similar!