Coming off citalopram- help needed

[coffeeneeded]

Hi. Hoping to get some other perspectives and experiences.

I've been on 30mg of citalopram for over two years now and I've taken the plunge to reduce the intake- hoping to come off completely.

Last night I took 20mg. I feel absolutely shite today. Such a bad mood, snappy and completely lethargic.

Is this normal or is this just a bad day?

Do I wallow in this or put my big girl pants on and get over it?

Thanks in advance.

Was this your first day of having 20mg instead of 30mg?

If so, it won't have had any physical effect whatsoever yet. You've been on it for 2 years so it has built up enough in your system that having a slightly smaller dose for one day will not make any difference at all.

I think that these side effects are just because you know you have had less and you are attributing your feelings to that.

You need to give it a lot longer - just like when you first went onto it, it will take a while before such a small reduction will start to really have any kind of impact.

If you want to do this successfully take it very very slowly. You need to taper down in much smaller increments. I would take 25mg for a couple of weeks and see if you adjust. If that feels ok, take it down again. Even reduce just by 2.5g a week... you may end up splitting tablets into tiny bits, even crumbs to taper off. Google it... it's a well trodden path.
It is doable if you don't rush it.

I took citalopram for only a few months and hated it so much I went cold turkey. Fucking hell it was the worst month or two of my life. I had head flutters, I felt Ill, I went crazy if I'd had a drink.

Be very very careful. I'd start to reduce by 5mg at a time.

Thank you all.

I'll chalk this one up to a bad day and look out for other signs.

Ta x

You need to do this in conjunction with your GP. They can advise how to taper.

30 to 20 is too big a jump.

Hi, echoing others. I suggest taking 30mg and 20mg on alternative days, (therefore effectively reducing to 25mgs a day) for 3-4 weeks. Then if you feel ok, reduce to 20mgs a day for 3-4 weeks, then 15mgs etc down to 10mgs every day, then 10mgs every other day. Ask your GP or Practice nurse advice and this is likely what they will suggest

Go told me to go from 30-20 but advised to up it to 25 if the effects were too much.

Those 10mg pills are so tiny though- might need to buy a pill cutter.

Those 10mg pills are so tiny though- might need to buy a pill cutter.

Your pharmacy should do it for you.

Alternatively follow the advice up thread, alternating doses on each day.