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HOW BEST TO COME OFF 5 WEEKS OF CITALOPRAM?

Posted , 5 users are following.

crest
crest

Hi all, especially ex cit users. I'm on 20mg cit 5 weeks tomorrow. First 8 days was 10mg then 7 days 15mg then the rest on 20mg. I need to come off for medical reasons. The doctor has of course advised me but gave me different routes so I'm unsure. Anyone know how best as only 5 weeks?

Many thanks.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Lifechanging
    Lifechanging crest

    Posted

    Hi, I know you have to come off the medicaton really really slowly so you don't suffer from bad side effects and feel worse than you did befre.  I'm visiting my Doctor tomorrow to see how to come off but I've been on for six months.  I'll post when I get my advice and hopefully you might get something useful from it. 

    Good luck

  • David_21660
    David_21660 crest

    Posted

    Hi Crest,

    Five weeks, 1 week or less once Cita is in your system you will get withdrawl when you start to come off. Sounds like your Dr is not up on Cita as mine because the only way is gradually and very slowly!

    After 7 months I started last week, but have stopped reducing because I have a lot on at the mo and started getting hit with withdrawl after 1/2 days and it wasn't pleasant. When I restart I shall follow my Dr's advice and drop a unit one day and return to the usual the next and alternate this for two weeks (at least) Now she initially told me try a 10mg drop, but if this feels too much then only drop by 5mg and alternate back to the usual amount. So usual amount 40mg drop to 35mg the next day and then back up to 40mg the next and so on for a fortnight. Or longer as I can now take control.

    Whether as I am on 40mg and you are on 20mg or not we all get withdrawl! The amount is in your system and you have to reduce it gradually and slowly over a period. Then you may not be able to completely stay off. I accept that (if lucky) I can get down to zero in 6/7 months time I will be happy if I find I have to stay on 10mg or 5mg for a while or indefinite I WILL BE HAPPY!

    Because, this "sticking plaster for the brain" has dragged me back from a very darlk place and like so many others has basically saved me!

    Keep the reduction low and take it slow.

    Good Luck!

    David

  • katecogs
    katecogs crest

    Posted

    I came off 20mg 2 years ago.  I restarted last year (due to stress of family illness) and am withdrawing already.  

    First get yourself a pill cutter.  Then either half your pill or half it again so you have 2x10mg's or 4x5mg's.  Either take 10mg or 15mg every day or 10mg (or 15mg) one day and 20mg the next.  The slower you come off the better.

    When your body gets used to the new dose, do the same again, reducing it by 5mg.  Keep doing this until you're only on 5mg and then take this every other day til you're used to it then every 2 days and so on and then stop.

    Hope that makes sense.

    I've gone from 20mg to 5mg and have had no withdrawl effects yet.  Will stay on 5mg for a while yet,

  • beth02382
    beth02382 crest

    Posted

    Hi, I was on sertraline for 4 months, then Wellbutrin for 2 weeks and then Cita. 4 months, I decided to go off it, without talking to Dr. I was on 20 mg. I cut in half for 7 days and then nothing, the only side effect might be this sore and weak neck, but otherwise not really much else, maybe alittle dizziness and lightheaded but nothing to speak of at all. I thought maybe the side effects weren't bad cause I was on it only 4 months? I've been off for almost a month, and feeling great! All the best to you!
    • crest
      crest beth02382

      Posted

      Ho Beth, interesting you. mention the sore neck I had that this morning. More importantly did you suffer any start up effects on the citalopram? If you didn't then perhaps that is why you didn't suffer much coming off it? Would be interesting to know if you did or not. Many thanks.
    • beth02382
      beth02382 crest

      Posted

      Hi there, when I started on Cita, I didn't suffer any real side effects. I was alittle dizzy when I stood up, yawned for like a day. But my neck was sore from the get go, and going off seems to b worse! Week 4 almost in and neck seems to b better more often, than constantly aching!😃hang in there. It gets better🌻
  • Lifechanging
    Lifechanging crest

    Posted

    Hi, thought I'd update after my visit to the Doctor today. He has advised I cut down to 10mg straight away for a week and then down to 10mg every other day. This seems really quick as I've been on 20mg for over six months. I'm just not sure and think I will follow Kate's advice and buy a pill cutter to reduce the dose by 5mg at a time.
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