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What Are The Discontinuation Symptoms Of Citalopram?
Question: I want to wean myself off anti anxiety medication Citalopram 20 mg tablets. Is it correct to take one every other day for a week?
Brief Answer:
In my opinion first reduce the dose and then shift to alternate day
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
It is good that you want to wean off from citalopram.
Half life of citalopram is around 35 hours. So there is no problem when you take it on alternate day.It is not wrong way but what is your plan after 1 week?
If I were your treating doctor I would advice for reducing the dose first.
20 mg is an optimum dose of citalopram. It is also available in 10 mg strength.You can reduce dose 15 mg for 1 week and then 10 mg for one week.
After that you can take 10 mg every other day for 1 week and then every third day for 15 days and then 5 mg on every third day for 15 days and stop completely.
Or from 10 mg daily you can shift to 5 mg daily for a week.Then 5 mg every other day for 10 days and then every third day for 15 days and stop.
By this approach you would have no or very less and tolerable drug discontinuation symptoms.
Just discuss with your treating doctor about the approach I mentioned and go for weaning off.
All the best.
Hope I have answered your query. feel free to ask if you have any doubt.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
In my opinion first reduce the dose and then shift to alternate day
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
It is good that you want to wean off from citalopram.
Half life of citalopram is around 35 hours. So there is no problem when you take it on alternate day.It is not wrong way but what is your plan after 1 week?
If I were your treating doctor I would advice for reducing the dose first.
20 mg is an optimum dose of citalopram. It is also available in 10 mg strength.You can reduce dose 15 mg for 1 week and then 10 mg for one week.
After that you can take 10 mg every other day for 1 week and then every third day for 15 days and then 5 mg on every third day for 15 days and stop completely.
Or from 10 mg daily you can shift to 5 mg daily for a week.Then 5 mg every other day for 10 days and then every third day for 15 days and stop.
By this approach you would have no or very less and tolerable drug discontinuation symptoms.
Just discuss with your treating doctor about the approach I mentioned and go for weaning off.
All the best.
Hope I have answered your query. feel free to ask if you have any doubt.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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