CITA has developed a number of withdrawal programmes with Dr David Healy,- source Northern Echo 4th Feb2003

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Pam Armstrong, a consultant and advisor with CITA, (Council for Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction) says although she understands that the drug is successful, it is equally important for people to be able to get off it.

"There are ways of withdrawing, but the trouble is doctors are saying to people that it's them (the patient) and that it's not addictive, because that is what the drug companies say," she says. "Many of the symptoms are physical. People get quite nauseated and some get electric shock symptoms, in the head especially."

CITA has developed a number of withdrawal programmes with Dr David Healy, director of the North Wales Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Wales. These include reducing Seroxat intake very slowly and using it in liquid form, which is considered gentler to the system during withdrawal. In tablet form, once down to 20mg, it can take at least another three and a half months to come off. The charity has found that switching from Seroxat to Prozac, once down to a 20mg dosage, is one of the most successful withdrawal methods.