Citalopram - long term effects?

[Nursed123]

Been on and off these for past 18 months. Initially on 10, now on 20 due to recent anxiety/depression.

Tried coming off 10 before and just couldn't do it hence why I'm now back on them and a higher dose!

Has anybody come off them successfully and not gone back on them? I'm concerned about the long term effects of Citalopram , have heard some quite horrible stories! About premature death, dementia, heart problems etc!! Eek.....

[fassone]

Yea I was on escitalopram, pretty much the same thing. I took it for 2 years.
I weaned off 10mgs over 6 months. A long time but it minimised withdrawal. I also did CBT and mindfulness while on meds to teach my how to cope without meds.
I haven't gone back on them, that was 4 years ago.
I think they truck is to (a) wean extremely slowly (anyone I know who came off too fast ended up on meds for good and (b) tackle the depression/anxiety with therapy so you'll be equipped to handle it if you do go med-free.
That was originally the aim of antidepressants, to provide a solid base during which a patient engaged with therapy to live with their life.

[AliceScarlett]

Yup I was on 60mgs for 5 years, been off them for 4 years.

The Long term effects are doubtfully that serious otherwise they wouldn't be able to prescribe them!

[Mirandawest]

I was on citalopram for a while (can't remember how long now). Had been on sertraline before and came off both of them too quickly.

Went from 40mg citalopram to nothing over about 18 months. That was in 2009 I think. Probably going from 10mg took about a year but was. Determined to try a different way as doing t too quickly hadn't worked. I also had CBT for a while when I was coming off them and that really helped too.

Have been through various things since and haven't been back on them. Not to say I never will but has been a while.

[Mirandawest]

I posted without reading but sounds like fassone and I have had pretty similar experiences.

[Nursed123]

Thank you for helpful replies