Talk

Flip

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Mental health

Plan for coming off 40mg Citalopram

6 replies

mummmypirate · 18/07/2011 08:20

Hi mums, after 9 months I feel ready to wean myself of Citalopram. It's been great - I'm much better (had PND) - and am keen to start TTC. I'm doing this in full consultation with GP and have cut down to 30mg for past week with no ill-effects. Anyone with advice about timescale to get off completely? Is 6 weeks in-between each reduction the way to go?

OP posts:

Report

notsofarnow · 06/08/2011 17:19

just scrolling through looking for citralopram withdrawl and came across this. How are you doing iwth it? I've been on 60mg for about 5 months after being on 40mg for 2 years or so. had reduced quite well to 40mg, but over this last 2 weeks haven't taken many due to change of routine hols etc. I haven't been able to move off the sofa today. dizzy, light headed, lethargic its pants. So have taken a tablet about 2 hours ago and feel a bit better already.

Report

strawberry17 · 07/08/2011 09:02

Cold turkey, missing tablets etc is never a good idea as you will get withdrawals, I've been there, done that, worn the t shirt and now tapering extremely slowly off liquid prozac.

Report

mummmypirate · 08/08/2011 14:57

Hi notso, just at end of 4th week on 30mg and doing fine thank you. Plan to reduce to 20mg tomorrow. No side effects for first few days then had rotten headaches, bizarre dreams, palpatations and general lethargy for a week or so, soon disappeared though.

My advice to you would be stabilise on 40mg - get really disciplined about your daily dose again - and once you're feeling on an even keel, give it at least 3 weeks, then drop to 30mg. Good luck.

OP posts:

Report

racingheart · 15/08/2011 23:22

First time I came off citalopram (I'm on again now) I took half dose one day then full dose the next for a couple of weeks, then lowered it to half dose every day, then halved that alternate days, and for a long time took 10mls every other day. Doc said there was no medical evidence that such a low dose every 48 hours was having any effect but lots of patients anecdotally said it worked for them. Might be worth trying rather than jumping down a dose suddenly. Absolutely no evidence for this, but to me it felt like it was kick starting my brain into producing its own serotonin, as its regular supplier was not coming up with the goods.

Report

strawberry17 · 16/08/2011 11:21

It might work, we're all different, but if it doesn't take it an awful lot slower, and I have a blog here on mumsnet with lots of info about how to taper off slowly and safely. //www.prozacwithdrawalblogspot.com