Cutting down escitalopram

[winfongdown]

I have been on 10 mg of escitalopram for about 5 years followed by two of 20mg. It was for marriage break up and health anxiety with severe panic attack. Now doctor wants me to cut the 20 back to 10 because of my age ( over 60) . I've been off two weeks now and am now feeling increasingly bad tempered and also extreme tiredness. It's not a great time of the year to be honest with all this crappy dull weather about. I also have awful dreams at nights. Is this to be expected ? Any contributions of your experience ? Many thanks.

I mean off the 20 and only on 10 now for two weeks.

No one?

Why does your GP want to decrease the dosage? My mum, in her 80s, takes paroxetine daily and it helps her moods enormously and there's no problem with her staying on it. I think what you are experiencing is likely withdrawal side effects from the higher dose, yes, and if you are finding it difficult, and you felt better on the higher dose, I would ask the GP why you cannot stay on 20mg? Seems bizarre. I've just started on Citalopram (took it years ago for panic attacks, etc) and am building my way up to 20mg as tapering off Mirtazapine. Can't wait to be at the higher dose because still feeling crap on 10mg.

@winfongdown , you said you are over 60 but the current recommendation for a 10mg maximum dose is in the over 65’s and it is to do with a potential increased risk of QT interval being prolonged which is a heart rhythm disorder, with both citalopram and Escitalopram. Other anti depressants do not carry the same risk, having said that it would have been much better to reduce your dose more gradually. I also take Escitalopram but currently taking 10mg

Yes they said it was for heart issues and go down to 10 to see how it goes. If I can't manage on that then we could possibly change to an alternative. Thanks both.

I am 69.