Coming off citalopram

[Whataplanker]

I inadvertently came off citalopram which I have been on since 2019. I ran out just before the jubilee weekend (thought I had another strip left) and so by the time I'd put the prescription request in and got it authorised and filled, I had been off them a week and thought I might give it a go.

Well, there are pros and cons. I seem to have got my libido back but I feel like bursting into tears at every little thing and can feel the sense of overwhelmedness creeping back. Now I don't know what to do! I was hoping the weight would drop off me but that hasn't happened, more's the pity! Any experiences?

You aren’t supposed to stop them suddenly, you are supposed to reduce the dosage slowly. I think the fact that you feel tearful and the overwhelmed feeling is creeping back indicates you are having withdrawal symptoms. I’d at least cut them in half and take half, with a view of reducing down if you really do want to come off them, but it might be wiser to just restart taking them and then have a discussion with the dr about reverse titration.

for info, if anyone does run out of their regular meds, a pharmacy can give you some medication to tide you over and then take the owed amount from your prescription when it’s issued so you aren’t left without.

I hope things go okay if you do decide to come off them op