irishsj - Traditionally, Prozac™ (fluoxetine) is the SSRI used in weaning because of it's long half-life (100 hours, including active metabolites). Nothing else comes close to this. The only other method I have any extensive experience using is the slow withdrawl from Effexor XR™ (venlafaxine). You decrease the dose to the point of the withdrawl side effects, then increase the dose to the last dose with which you had no trouble and stay at that dose for 2 to 4 weeks. Then decrease the dose every second day (eg. 75mg one day, 37.5mg the next). Continue this for 2 to 4 weeks, then decrease to the lower dose every day. Do this for 2 to 4 weeks.

Continue the above until you do reach the lowest dose of Effexor XR that is available (ie. 37.5mg) and take that for 2 to 4 weeks, then take the 37.5mg every other day for a couple of weeks, then stop. If at any point the "zaps" emerge, return to the previous step for a couple more weeks and try to lower the dose to the next lower dosage.

As you can see this withdrawl could take a while, but it is the least painful alternative method to the Prozac™ weaning.

Other people actually count out balls from the capsules and decrease the number of balls gradually. I have always found this incredibly finicky and have never used or suggested this method clinically. Theoretically this method should work, but I wouldn't have the patience to do it.

I have heard of a few other methods, but I really don't suggest using them, so I won't even bother mentioning them; the one's that I am thinking of just don't work (either theoretically or practically).

Sorry that I can't be any more help than this. Perhaps someone out there has another method I haven't thought of (or have forgot). Good luck. - Cam