HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Ways To Wean Off Celexa

default
Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015
Question: I have been taking 20mg of Celexa for about 10 years. my doctor wants me to wean off by taking 10mg daily for a week then stop completely. I am having severe
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is not proper tapering off shcedule in my opinion

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

If you stop celexa so fast in a week after 10 years of intake, you may have severe drug discontinuation syndrome.In my opinion first of all dose reduced to 15 mg for 2 weeks,then 10 mg for 2 weeks, 7.5 mg for 2 weeks, 5 mg for 3 weeks, 2.5 mg 3 weeks and then stop.By this way you will have very less symptoms.

Note: If you are taking for depression since 10 years,according to guidelines there is no need to stop drug completely but take it with minimum possible effective dose up to 5-10 mg for longer period.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Psychiatrist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
Suggest Ways To Wean Off Celexa

Brief Answer: It is not proper tapering off shcedule in my opinion Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. If you stop celexa so fast in a week after 10 years of intake, you may have severe drug discontinuation syndrome.In my opinion first of all dose reduced to 15 mg for 2 weeks,then 10 mg for 2 weeks, 7.5 mg for 2 weeks, 5 mg for 3 weeks, 2.5 mg 3 weeks and then stop.By this way you will have very less symptoms. Note: If you are taking for depression since 10 years,according to guidelines there is no need to stop drug completely but take it with minimum possible effective dose up to 5-10 mg for longer period. Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.