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Citalopram stopping

Posted , 7 users are following.

steve76591
steve76591

I have taken citalopram for 2 1/2 years and want to stop. I only take 10mg a day.

Has anybody got any experience.

I am a 44 year old male in good health.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 steve76591

    Posted

    You will need to come off them slowly to reduce the withdrawal symptoms. Go to your GP for advice on how to do this.

     

  • amy75782
    amy75782 steve76591

    Posted

    Hi, I'm coming off my 10mg at the moment. Doctor told me to do every other day for a week and then every 3rd day. I was getting really dizzy and had headaches, so I cut them in half and did 5mg a day for a week. I'm on week 2 every other day. The days without aren't as bad but I get dizzy spells. It's not too bad I can push through! I will see how I go on week 3. Good luck!
    • steve76591
      steve76591 amy75782

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice. I do have a pill cutter.

      5mg a day it is. Fingers crossed

    • Stanley44574
      Stanley44574 steve76591

      Posted

      I did the same with the pill cutter from 10 mg to 5.  After trying to do it the way the doc said (every other day) 4 or 5 times and failing.  This way works better, less of the roller coaster.  A longer taper helped me and then I went to 5 mg every 3rd day and then cut the cord.  Know that it may be a hard few weeks (depending on how long you've been on it) Been almost month for me - it's hard but it can be done.  At some point you'll probably have to hunker down and ride it out so being ready for that is also a good idea (tell your SO and family, plan something relaxing...)   Good luck - these forums are also quite helpful!
  • Rachel.92
    Rachel.92 steve76591

    Posted

    I'd use a pill cutter to cut an equal amount if them into halves, an equal amount into quarters, an equal amount into eighths, and so on. Just make sure you have enough pills to work with, otherwise the tapering may be too quick and you could get withdrawal symptoms. I was on 30mg with about 30 pills left...it was a disaster. Mood swings, irritability, fatigue, trouble getting a good night's sleep, brain zaps... I decided to voluntarily quit my job because of my uncontrollable mood swings. I would totally just uncharacteristically verbally lash out at the kids I worked with (I was a nanny). It was bad!

    So yeah, just taper off carefully is what I'm saying. Maybe talk to your doctor about it. I didn't bother, but you may want to. Good luck smile

    • amy75782
      amy75782 Rachel.92

      Posted

      Do pill cutters work with such small tablets? I'm really emotional and snappy too. Started amitriptyline last night so I'm hoping they will kick in soon.
    • Rachel.92
      Rachel.92 amy75782

      Posted

      Pill cutters are razor sharp, so they should work. I actually couldn't find my pill cutter at the time, so I used a heavy kitchen knife. Some pieces flew, but I found them!

      I've been off of any pills aside from vitamins and cranberry capsules for over 6 months now. I still have anxiety and depression, but it's no longer so bad or so constant. A change of scenery was what I needed.

  • welshtaffy
    welshtaffy steve76591

    Posted

    Hi Steve, I am trying to come of it myself.I used to take Seroxat and it was very difficult to come off that but there was also Seroxat in liquid form! What I had to do was take a small spoonful and replace that with a spoonful of water.After about 6 weeks the Seroxat bottle had just water left.It worked.This is not much help to you unless Citalopram also comes in liquid form! I only considerded this after reading your post.If indeed it does come in Liquid form I will also order a bottle! I will check this out immediately.Good luck to you anyway. 
    • welshtaffy
      welshtaffy

      Posted

      Hello again,

      I just found out Citalopram is indeed available in liquid form.I will now order it myself.Don't forget, one teaspoonful then replace it in the bottle with water.Keep doing that untill the bottle holds just water.I think it must be the safest way to come of it!

  • katecogs
    katecogs steve76591

    Posted

    I came off them once.  The longer you take doing so, the better.  Your doctor will advise.

    But ... I did it so:

    Use a pill cutter

    Take 5mg every other day (10mg inbetween) for 3-4 weeks

    Take 5mg every 2 days (10mg inbetween) for another 3-4 weeks

    Take 5mg every day for 3-4 weeks

    Take 2.5mg every other day (5mg inbetween) for 3-4 weeks

    Take 2.5 every 2 days (5mg inbetween) for another 3-4 weeks

    Take 2.5mg every day for 3-4 weeks

    Take 2.5mg every other day for 3-4 weeks

    Take 2.5mg every 2 days for 3-4 weeks

    Increase the time inbetween or stop

    Either do each section for 3-4 weeks or until the withdrawl symptoms ease (if you have any).  Depends how you feel each time.

    Might seem a long time doing this, but doing it this gradually you'll get less withdrawal symptoms.

    K x

     

    • katecogs
      katecogs

      Posted

      Or as I've just read above, use the liquid form :-)
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