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Celexa withdrawal advise please

Posted , 3 users are following.

shane66622
shane66622

Hi All, I have been on 20 mg of citalapram for about a year. Causes me to grind my teeth almost constantly.

Plus loud and unsettling tinnitus. No sure how to taper? My doc suggested a 4 week taper. Is this reasonable? I have read that celexa withdrawal can be helllish. Any advise so very appreciated!Thanks Shana

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • kelly58470
    kelly58470 shane66622

    Posted

    A 4 week taper sounds really quick to me. I've heard of people taking an entire year to taper off, and I think that's what the experts recommend (at least, that's what I've read). On the other hand, my husband was on 20 mg and quit cold turkey, with no side effects. I definitely do not recommend going that course though, as it seems like it's much more common for people to have side effects.

    ?I guess if it were me, I'd try cutting down to 15 mg first, and wait at least 2 months before going down to 10. Then, two months at 10 mg, and down to 5.

    Good luck :-)!

    • shane66622
      shane66622 kelly58470

      Posted

      Thanks Kelly, I do like the idea of holding the dose for a couple of months to let things steady before moving to the next reduction.

      I will give it a try! Amazing to me that doctors are so quick to prescribe but never seem to have a good reccomendation for getting off meds.

      Thx Shana

  • Kirky12
    Kirky12 shane66622

    Posted

    Hi I think 4 weeks is way to quick! I’m currently withdrawing and am down to 2.5 mg. It has taken me a year to withdraw from 30 because I stay at each dose reduction until I settle. 
    • shane66622
      shane66622 Kirky12

      Posted

      Thanks for your quick reply! Couple of questions. How did you reduce the size of the tablet? The 20 mg is small to begin with. I could probably break it in quarters but can't see how I could make it much smaller. How did you feel through out your taper? I have a crazy busy job with lots of travel. I need to be able to function well during this withdrawal process.

      Kind regards, Shana

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