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Gummy Bears Solve Sticky Drug Problem

Q. You have written about people having a hard time getting off antidepressants without awful side effects. I had a terrible time getting off Xanax, a highly addictive medication. A pill can only be cut into so many pieces. So the doctor told me I could have a local custom pharmacy make up “gummies” (like the kids’ candy). Each week or two they would put in a little less of the drug until it got down to a minute amount. It took weeks but it helped lessen the side effects.

A. We have heard from many readers who have had great difficult withdrawing from anti-anxiety agents such as Xanax (alprazolam). Symptoms may include nervousness, agitation, difficulty concentrating, headache and insomnia.

Getting off antidepressants like Effexor, Paxil and Zoloft can also be challenging. Having the doctor prescribe a gradually decreasing dose for the compounding pharmacist to include in gummy candy is an innovative solution to a thorny problem. Thanks for sharing this approach.

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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