# The Ultimate Reddit Guide: Tapering Fluoxetine 20mg with a 5ml Syringe

this is a follow up to my post here : https://www.reddit.com/r/prozac/comments/1k72j0i/ultimate_ssri_withdrawal_recovery_guide/

Disclaimer: I not a doctor. Always consult your prescribing physician before changing your psychiatric medication dose. This guide explains the liquid micro-dosing method, which is widely used to safely reduce SSRIs and minimize withdrawal symptoms.

CRITICAL WARNING: Why we DO NOT cut the pill

Look closely at your Fluoxetine tablet. It has no score line (no indentation in the middle).

Pharmaceutical companies put score lines only on pills that are "homogenous"—meaning the active drug is mixed evenly throughout the tablet. Unscored pills like Generic Fluoxetine are NOT homogenous. The active drug (Fluoxetine) and the filler (starch, lactose) often settle in layers during manufacturing.

If you cut a scored pill with a knife or crush it into powder on a table, you are not splitting the dose evenly. One half could contain 14mg and the other only 6mg. This uneven dosing is a primary cause of severe antidepressant withdrawal symptoms (brain zaps, dizziness, mood swings).

The ONLY safe solution: Convert the entire pill into a liquid solution where the medicine is spread evenly. This guarantees an exact, stable dose every single day.

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What You Need

• 1 x 20mg Fluoxetine tablet
• 1 x Small glass cup (do NOT use plastic—it can react with the pill's coating)
• Room-temperature tap or bottled water (about half a cup)
• 1 x 5ml Syringe (this is your measuring tool)

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The Math (The 1:1 Rule)

If we dissolve 20mg of Fluoxetine into 20ml of water, the concentration becomes exactly:

1mg of medicine = 1ml of water.

Because of this 1:1 ratio, your 5ml syringe acts as your perfect dosing scale.

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💉 How to use your 5ml syringe to measure the water

To make the solution safely, you first need to measure exactly 20ml of water using your 5ml syringe:

1. Push the plunger all the way down.
2. Stick the tip into your glass of room-temperature water.
3. Pull the plunger back until the black rubber ring hits the "5ml" line (the topmost line).
4. Squirt that 5ml of water into your empty glass cup.
5. Repeat this 3 more times (Total: 4 full syringes = 20ml of water).
6. Drop the one 20mg tablet into the 20ml of water. Stir for 2 minutes until it dissolves (it will look milky/cloudy). You now have a 20mg liquid solution.

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Measuring Your Exact Taper Dose (Using the 5ml Syringe)

Now that you have your solution, here is exactly how to use your 5ml syringe to pull out your specific dose.

• If you want a 5mg dose: Pull the plunger to the 5ml line. That is 1 full syringe. Squirt it into your mouth and swallow.

• If you want a 10mg dose: Pull the plunger to the 5ml line. Squirt it in your mouth. Refill the syringe to the 5ml line a second time. Squirt that in your mouth too. That is 2 full syringes (10ml) = 10mg.

• If you want a 12.5mg dose (a very common, gentle reduction): This is where the 5ml syringe shines. You will need to fill it 2.5 times:

  1. Fill the syringe to 5ml (full). Squirt in mouth.
  2. Refill the syringe to 5ml (full). Squirt in mouth. (You are now at 10mg).
  3. Refill the syringe a third time, but this time only pull the plunger back halfway to the 2.5ml line. Squirt that into your mouth. (You just added 2.5mg). Result: 5ml + 5ml + 2.5ml = 12.5ml (which equals an exact 12.5mg dose).

• If you want a 15mg dose: Pull 3 full syringes (5ml + 5ml + 5ml) = 15ml = 15mg.

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Step-by-Step Taper Routine (Repeat Daily)

Step 1: Prepare the Batch

Every day, take a new glass cup, measure 20ml of water (using 4 full pulls of your syringe), drop in one 20mg pill, and stir well until dissolved.

Step 2: Measure & Take

Stir the cup again (critical!). Use the syringe measurements above to pull out your target dose (e.g., 12.5ml). Squirt it directly into your mouth and swallow.

Step 3: Discard the Rest

Whatever liquid is left in the glass is your "waste." Throw it away immediately. Note: Do not store this leftover liquid in the fridge for the next day. It is safer to make a fresh batch daily.

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Tips for a Safe Taper

** "The Slower, The Better"** Do not drop your dose too fast. A safe reduction schedule is 2.5mg to 5mg every 2 to 4 weeks. Example taper: 20mg -> 15mg -> 12.5mg -> 10mg -> 7.5mg -> 5mg -> 2.5mg -> 0.

** Always Stir Right Before Using** Fluoxetine powder is heavier than water. If you let the glass sit for 2 minutes, the medicine sinks to the bottom. Always stir vigorously for 5 seconds immediately before you dip your syringe in, otherwise, you will pull mostly plain water and get the wrong dose.

** Syringe Care** Wash your syringe in warm soapy water after each use, rinse well, and let it air dry completely. If the rubber plunger becomes stiff or hard to push, buy a new syringe (they are very cheap at any pharmacy).

** If You Get Withdrawal Symptoms** Brain zaps, dizziness, or severe mood swings? Stop reducing immediately. Go back to your previous higher dose, hold steady for 2 weeks, and then try a slower reduction (e.g., drop by only 2.5ml instead of 5ml next time).

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ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN (Life-Threatening Warnings)

• DO NOT INJECT THIS. You are dissolving the pill in tap water. The starches, lactose, and titanium dioxide fillers in the pill will clog your blood vessels and can cause a fatal blood clot. This liquid is for oral consumption only (swallowing).
• DO NOT USE HOT WATER. Water above 30°C (warm/hot) destroys the active Fluoxetine molecule, making your dose ineffective. Use room temperature water only.
• DO NOT PUT THE SYRINGE BACK INTO THE GLASS. Once your syringe touches your mouth, it carries oral bacteria. If you dip it back into the glass, you will contaminate the leftover liquid. Take your dose out, squirt it in your mouth, and throw the rest away.