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How To Wean Off Celexa Slowly Without Any Side Effects?
Question: Hi,
I have been on Celexa 20mg for Anxiety for 10 years. I want to come off of it as I have gained about 120 pounds in those 10 years without changing anything in my diet and exercise. Weight gain is a common side effect to Celexa and I no longer will tolerate the weight gain. I am perfectly healthy on the inside. I have had all tests done. How should I wean off of the Celexa? Also, I have a very low to no sex drive and I am 25 and a newly wed. I have read this is also a side effect.
Thank you
I have been on Celexa 20mg for Anxiety for 10 years. I want to come off of it as I have gained about 120 pounds in those 10 years without changing anything in my diet and exercise. Weight gain is a common side effect to Celexa and I no longer will tolerate the weight gain. I am perfectly healthy on the inside. I have had all tests done. How should I wean off of the Celexa? Also, I have a very low to no sex drive and I am 25 and a newly wed. I have read this is also a side effect.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Yes you may come off it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Celexa has citalopram in it and it does cause weight gain and sexual problems. Moreover 10 years has been a huge time and it can be advised that you may come off it and see if the illness has remitted and probably you might have attained a recovery. If at all the symptoms start again then you can always restart the antidepressants, may be bupropion this time which doesnt have the mentioned side-effects. The celexa can be reduced to 10 mg per day or may be taken half of 20mg for next 1 month and then can be stopped at 10mg abruptly. This procedure should be fine and withdrawal side-effects will not be observed.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Yes you may come off it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Celexa has citalopram in it and it does cause weight gain and sexual problems. Moreover 10 years has been a huge time and it can be advised that you may come off it and see if the illness has remitted and probably you might have attained a recovery. If at all the symptoms start again then you can always restart the antidepressants, may be bupropion this time which doesnt have the mentioned side-effects. The celexa can be reduced to 10 mg per day or may be taken half of 20mg for next 1 month and then can be stopped at 10mg abruptly. This procedure should be fine and withdrawal side-effects will not be observed.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi
thank you for your response. I have read as lot about withdrawal side effects. I see you said I could do 10 mg a day for a month and then just stop. Can you explain to me how the serotonin lacking from not taking the celexa will cause no symptoms? That's seems like a lot haha. I read people get very sick and have "brain zaps". This won't happen?
Thanks !
thank you for your response. I have read as lot about withdrawal side effects. I see you said I could do 10 mg a day for a month and then just stop. Can you explain to me how the serotonin lacking from not taking the celexa will cause no symptoms? That's seems like a lot haha. I read people get very sick and have "brain zaps". This won't happen?
Thanks !
Brief Answer:
The illness ones treated doesnt require medicine
Detailed Answer:
Hello
If the depression has been treated fully then the levels of serotonin naturally are quite well maintained. You dont need to take an SSRI medication to maintain the levels. Thats the reason you can stop it and levels of serotonin will be maintained naturally.Coming to the brain zap things, this has been reported while on medicine as well as when I am off medicines.
So nothing to worry. You can come off it and do it gradually. keep your doctor informed.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
The illness ones treated doesnt require medicine
Detailed Answer:
Hello
If the depression has been treated fully then the levels of serotonin naturally are quite well maintained. You dont need to take an SSRI medication to maintain the levels. Thats the reason you can stop it and levels of serotonin will be maintained naturally.Coming to the brain zap things, this has been reported while on medicine as well as when I am off medicines.
So nothing to worry. You can come off it and do it gradually. keep your doctor informed.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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