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Citalopram to Venlafaxine

Posted , 4 users are following.

tina89895
tina89895

Hi 

I have been on 20mg citalopram for 23 weeks, it was increased to 40mg for 4 weeks due to very disturbing dreams it was reduced back to 20mg. Following a suicide attempt I was referred to the Mental Health Team had my assessment on monday and it has been decided to change my medication to Venlafaxine 75mg M/R. Dr advised to stop citalopram for 24 hours then start the new ones. Has anyone been through this, did you go through all the side effects again or as I'm stopping one and starting another I should be ok. Thanks for any replies.

Tina

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • jon80733
    jon80733 tina89895

    Posted

    I was on citalopram for about 5 months that made me worse and by the end of it I felt very suicidal my Dr then put me on venlaxafine that have not really helped me but give me very vivid dreams most nights . Hear good things about them just havent worked for me. My doctor wants to put my dose up but am not sure as of how hard it is to come off them
    • tina89895
      tina89895 jon80733

      Posted

      That doesn't sound very promising they are hoping it is going to help me sleep better. How did you get on changing from one to the other. 
    • emma1605
      emma1605 jon80733

      Posted

      Its day 11 for me and i havent missed a dose. I take them the same time each day.
  • jon80733
    jon80733 tina89895

    Posted

    Wasn't that bad coming of the citalopram put would dredd it the other way round. Only think I can say is try taking them the same time everyday and try not miss a dose
    • tina89895
      tina89895 jon80733

      Posted

      ok thanks, might take my last cit tonight, have the Friday off then start the new one on Saturday night.
  • rhian50438
    rhian50438 tina89895

    Posted

    Hi I went from citalopram to ven, I had side effects of feeling very sick for about two weeks. For me this was a bonus as I lost a fair bit of weight but wasn't a pleasant way to do so. So far the ven seems to be working somewhat but might need a dose increase as as time goes on it seems to work less if that makes sense.
    • tina89895
      tina89895 rhian50438

      Posted

      Thanks for that, I will look out for those symptoms. Might treat myself to a drink on Friday as I will be pill free before I change to these ones on Saturday.
    • jon80733
      jon80733 tina89895

      Posted

      Haha not a bad idea that that's one thing I do miss since being on tablets is a drink now and then
  • laurence54964
    laurence54964 tina89895

    Posted

    You know, when one is depressed (IMO), we are hardly in a good position to be objective about the effect of an antidepressant, whether we are talking about about its efficacy or its side effects. It's so damn difficult. When I look at the various posts, there are a lot of strong statements about this or that bad effect.

    there are people who think antidepressants do nothing, others who feel they have saved their life. It's so damn tough.

    One  trouble is that a lot of the side effects, especially the psychological ones, are similar to those be feels in depression, especially the somatic symptoms.

    i do think it's a good idea to try different ones if u think the one u have is not working, but u neede to give each one a reasonable time, maybe 2 or 3 months. Maybe if u are on an SSRI try an SNRI, or vice versa.

    and while u r waiting for them to kick in, which can be weeks, do your very very best to mobilise all your resources to get yourself out and physically get yourself moving. For he, that was a life saver. Good luck

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