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Suggest Dosage For Celexa
Question: My best friend has been prescribed Celexa for anxiety as a substitute for the Ativan she's currently taking. Per her doctor's instruction, she's increased the dose to 20 mg from 10 mg. She knew that there would be side effects on the increased dose but did not expect this. The 3rd day of this increased dose of Celexa produced severe joint and muscle pain plus increased her physical and mental fatigue. She still takes 2 Ativan (lowest dose) daily. She is only 4 ft. 11 in and barely weighs 90 pounds. I am concerned that this dosage is too much for her size and system, as she's been virtually bedridden for 3 months with anxiety and digestive issues. What should she do? Should her doctor be contacted immediately?
Brief Answer:
Contact her doctor and decrease the dose to 15 mg
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank for using Healthcaremagic.
Although 20 mg is within safe limits for his weight but I think it was better to go slow rather than increasing 10 mg celexa in one go.
You can contact her doctor and discuss to lower the dose of celexa to 15 mg per day. I think this will be the most rationale step at the point.
In case you are not able to contact him immediately do as suggested and report the doctor on next meeting/interaction.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Contact her doctor and decrease the dose to 15 mg
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank for using Healthcaremagic.
Although 20 mg is within safe limits for his weight but I think it was better to go slow rather than increasing 10 mg celexa in one go.
You can contact her doctor and discuss to lower the dose of celexa to 15 mg per day. I think this will be the most rationale step at the point.
In case you are not able to contact him immediately do as suggested and report the doctor on next meeting/interaction.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thanks Dr. XXXXXXX My friend is a she, not a he.
I need to make a credible argument to her husband who tends to believe the doctor over his wife's response and symptoms. Can a 10 mg Celexa be cut in half and still be effective?
With the July 4th holiday, it's unlikely that the doctor will be responsive.
How common is the joint and muscle pain as a side effect coupled with additional fatigue?
I need to make a credible argument to her husband who tends to believe the doctor over his wife's response and symptoms. Can a 10 mg Celexa be cut in half and still be effective?
With the July 4th holiday, it's unlikely that the doctor will be responsive.
How common is the joint and muscle pain as a side effect coupled with additional fatigue?
Brief Answer:
Joint and muscle pain is common and time limiting side effect
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Celexa is unscored tablet and difficult to break . Despite the difficulty in breaking the tablet, it can be used without loss of efficacy. Since the lowering down of dose is not permanent as there is good possibility of increasing back to 20 mg once her side effects are under control.
I like to make it clear that effective dose of Celexa is 10-40 mg for a adult person and sometimes you need to go slow especially for underweight individuals.
Joint pain and muscle pain are commonly experienced with use of celexa but fortunately they are self limiting. It is possible that in last 24 hours her joint pain may have reduced. Even if it is not reduced there is good possibility of under control in next couple of days.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Joint and muscle pain is common and time limiting side effect
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Celexa is unscored tablet and difficult to break . Despite the difficulty in breaking the tablet, it can be used without loss of efficacy. Since the lowering down of dose is not permanent as there is good possibility of increasing back to 20 mg once her side effects are under control.
I like to make it clear that effective dose of Celexa is 10-40 mg for a adult person and sometimes you need to go slow especially for underweight individuals.
Joint pain and muscle pain are commonly experienced with use of celexa but fortunately they are self limiting. It is possible that in last 24 hours her joint pain may have reduced. Even if it is not reduced there is good possibility of under control in next couple of days.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Answered by
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