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Online and Spreadsheet Tapering Calculators

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This website is run by the "Cymbalta Hurts Worse" Facebook Group (FB suspended the group last month) admins and has the collective wisdom of the Authorities, and over 45,000 members over 13 years.  The calculators were designed for Cymbalta/duloxetine, but can be used for any medication that is granular.

 

https://healthwithoutantidepressants.com/calculators/

/*  slashsplat  */

  • 3 months later...

This is another good calculator based on SERT occupancy.

https://tapercalculator.org/

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

 

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

 

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

 

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

 

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

Antidepressant Hyperbolic Calculator

I found this calculator which gives visual representation 0f dose/receptor occupancy % and it provides steps for whatever % dose reduction you choose.

Link to SA Profile: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/32414-catbird-introduction-a-long-and-winding-road/

1996 Commenced on Sertraline 50 - 100mg. Many ADs trialled -Fluoxetine 20 mg, Paroxetine 20mg, Venlafaxine 75mg, Escitalopram 10 - 20mg, Vortioxetine 20mg, Bupropion 150mg.  2019 Recommenced Escitalopram 2022 Mirtazapine 30mg - Rapid taper. Amitriptyline 20mg

CURRENT MEDICATIONS: Escitalopram taper from ~ 10mg commenced 2024, Amitriptyline 20mg at night, Diazepam 7.5mg total per day, Baclofen 10mg morning, 10mg lunch and 20mg night, Polaramine 2mg at night, Ketamine troche 25mg per day (Ceased early September 2025), Valsartan 160mg evening, HRT (Oestrogen 25mcg/day) 

ESCITALOPRAM TAPER: 5 April 2025 - started holding at 1.516mg. Escitalopram taper resumed July 2025; End Aug 1.364; End Sept 1.228; End Oct 1.145; End Nov 1.1 Early Dec 1.11; End Dec 1.082; 2026 End Jan 1.047; Feb 6 1.030; Feb 20 1.014; April 10 1.012; May 3 1.014; May 11 1.010 & still holding

Supplements: Mg++ glycinate, Omega 3s, Curcumin. Vit D3/K2 spray, Vitamin B12 spray, chelated zinc.

  • 4 weeks later...
On 7/5/2026 at 12:19 AM, LostinCanada said:

This is another good calculator based on SERT occupancy.

https://tapercalculator.org/

Thanks for that, it's a brilliant tool for getting an idea for how long the process might take (open to changing) that I couldn't do from my own calculation. It does sometimes feel good to see a rough figure and realise I won't be stuck forever on Lexapro.

2010 - prescribed Lexapro for OCD (10mg). Fatigue, apathy, very dry mouth, anorgasmia, 'blocked emotions'(can't cry, simmering anger). Brain missing drive and motivation since. I used to be consistently creative and practical.

 

2023-4 attempt to taper to 5mg (alternate 10-5mg pills(!)(terror, panic, disoriented, suicidal). Then 7mg each reduction (0.02mg over 2-3 weeks) after stabilising became exponentially worse than previous reductions. GP and crisis team/psych services had no experience with withdrawal. 

 

- Psychiatric pharmacist got GP to give me liquid form. Reductions still difficult and time consuming.

 

2025 - (7.5mg) Awaiting assistance from new "Deprescribing clinic" since Oct 25. Apathy, burnout.

 

25.01.26 - 7.44mg

Side effects worse: anger, irritation with others, hard to focus - can't do anything that brings joy - no meaning, feelings except rage and anger.

08.02.26 - 7.34mg (~2%) now 4 weeks between reducing to stabilise.

No adverse effects, or improvement

08.03.26 - 6.9mg (5%)

Panic attacks/existential terror last 4 days. A week later fine but tired.

16.03.26 - 6.5mg

Intermittent dread and sadness, holding again. 2+ weeks of misery.

20.04.26 - 6.36mg a modest reduction, slight improvement in mood+motivation. Close to crying at TV/shows. Sexual feelings on/off

20.5.26 - 6.17mg (3%)

Hard but not suicidal

19.7.26 - 5.9mg (3%)

Redundancy, burnout this year. On /off low mood. Tears at sad song. Irritable.

17.08.26 - 5.7mg (3%) - last reduction before vacation abroad.

Supplements: Vit D, L-Theanine, Fish oil.

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