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Can Celexa Be Replaced With Effexor?
Question: How to I switch a patient from 300 mg. of Effexor to Celexa?
Brief Answer:
Cross tapering over 4-6 weeks is best option
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM.
Cross tapering is best method to replace Effexor with Celexa. This will prevent any serious side effect. You can give patient 10 mg Celexa as starting dose and reduce the dose of Effexor by 75 mg (that is give 225 mg) for first two weeks. Then increase the dose of Celexa to 20 mg and reduce the dose of Effexor to 150 mg for next couple of weeks. After 4 weeks the doses of Celexa can be increased to 30 with 75 mg of Effexor for 2 weeks. If needed Celexa dose can be increased to 40 mg per day with 37.5 mg Effexor for 2 weeks and then stopping the Effexor completely. Continue with 40 mg Celexa. Mild anxiety and restlessness due to cross tapering can be reduced by using a low dose benzodiazepine like Clonazepam or Lorazepam on SOS basis.
This is the method which I follow in my clinic and the risk of withdrawal is minimal in this method.
Thanks and Take care
Cross tapering over 4-6 weeks is best option
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM.
Cross tapering is best method to replace Effexor with Celexa. This will prevent any serious side effect. You can give patient 10 mg Celexa as starting dose and reduce the dose of Effexor by 75 mg (that is give 225 mg) for first two weeks. Then increase the dose of Celexa to 20 mg and reduce the dose of Effexor to 150 mg for next couple of weeks. After 4 weeks the doses of Celexa can be increased to 30 with 75 mg of Effexor for 2 weeks. If needed Celexa dose can be increased to 40 mg per day with 37.5 mg Effexor for 2 weeks and then stopping the Effexor completely. Continue with 40 mg Celexa. Mild anxiety and restlessness due to cross tapering can be reduced by using a low dose benzodiazepine like Clonazepam or Lorazepam on SOS basis.
This is the method which I follow in my clinic and the risk of withdrawal is minimal in this method.
Thanks and Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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