Rexulti Withdrawal

Hi Jaimee, hope things are going well! Is there a reason why you want to CT this drug? I tried that with zyprexa (another antipsychotic) and it was very uncomfortable with severe agitation and brutal insomnia. I then tapered and ended up cutting pills down at 1st then went to a liquid compound for finer resolution. With the fine tapering, the insomnia is still a little troublesome but the agitation hasn't been an issue. Re rexalti WD symptoms timeline, I don't know anything more than what Google chrome AI presents. CT is not recommended....id rethink that if possible. The ~10% per month hyperbolic taper is far more successful. Truly best wishes however, keep us informed!

I guess I want to get off it quicker, but also I don’t know if a lower dose is available.. I haven’t found this medication beneficial and have experienced over 20kg of weight gain, which is making me feel distressed as well. I have asked doctors to go off before but they dismiss my concerns. How would you recommend I try taper if no lower doses are available? Can one be taken every second day?

Per Healthline.com: "Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is available as an oral tablet in six different strengths: • 0.25 mg • 0.5 mg • 1 mg • 2 mg • 3 mg • 4 mg" I think you're on 1mg, therefore you can easily drop to 0.75mg, then 0.5, then 0.25. A compounding pharmacy may be able to do a liquid you can really do fine cuts with too. The plan to take a 1mg pill every other day is not recommended. I see you're on other psychotic meds as well. If they help stabilize you, the 0.25mg increment drops may be adequate, then jump off after a month of 0.25mg every other day. I would only taper 1 med at a time however, dropping once every 3-4 wks. You stabilize or slow down if things get rough. Also, here is AI's content for WD symptoms timeline: "General Withdrawal Timeline • Onset: Symptoms typically begin 1 to 2 weeks after stopping or reducing the dose. • Peak: The most intense symptoms usually peak around weeks 3 to 6. • Underlying / Rebound Emergence: Rebound or underlying condition symptoms can emerge over 1 to 2 months. • Resolution: Total recovery time varies widely. Many people find the worst acute physical and emotional symptoms last about 1 to 3 weeks, while others experience lingering adjustments or gradual tapering effects that span several weeks to a few months. Common Withdrawal Symptoms • Emotional & Mental: Severe anxiety, mood swings, crying, irritability, restlessness, and brain fog. • Physical & Sleep: Sleep disturbances / insomnia, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, changes in appetite or metabolism, and muscle aches or joint pain. • Movement: Uncontrollable muscle spasms, tremors, or tardive-like movements. Safe Tapering Abruptly stopping Rexulti ("cold turkey") can trigger intense rebound effects. Guidelines generally recommend a slow, gradual taper over several weeks or months (often reducing small increments every 2 to 4 weeks or slower depending on total duration of use) under the direct supervision of a prescribing psychiatrist." 🙏

After taking it for longer than a year, cold turkey is waaaay too much of a risk.