[Guest]

Dr.,

My 18 year old cousin is being treated with Luvox, Resperidol, and Klonopin .75mg 2X daily for the past year and a half for OCD and depression plus behavioral therapy. His psychiatrist and therapost agree that he has made enough progress that they woud like to remove the Klonopin.

I know you have said this can be "managed" with a slow taper, but I am very concerned for him given how bad he was when they first put him on medication, and all the stories I have read, even with what was claimed to be a slow taper.

In your own practice, do you see withdrawal symptoms commonly or more the exception with a slow taper? Also, what does "managed" mean? No withdrawal, very minimal, or moderate? And how long do the symptoms generally last? Thanks as always.

[Guest]

As with everything, there is a wide variation. I like to go slow and drop a quarter to a half milligram dose for a month and then do it again. Usually with this regime problems are either non existant or easily recognized before they become severe. Of course, if a person needs the medication, they will not be on it and may have return of symptoms. By moving slowly, you can see this before it becomes a huge issue.
[quote] Dr. ,

My 18 year old cousin is being treated with Luvox, Resperidol, and Klonopin ... [/quote]