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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Sudden Stop Of Citalopram After Being Denied The Refill. History Of Triple Bypass, Depression. What To Expect?

My husband ran out of Citalopram and his cardiologist denied the refill. He was prescribed it when he had a triple bypass two years ago. Prior to that he had been depressed for a long time and even mentioned it from time to time. But now what should I watch for? He has to stop all of a sudden with no gradual tapering off. Any advice?
Wed, 25 Sep 2013
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello
Welcome to HCM

Citalopram is an SSRI drug and abrupt cessation of this drug after continuous intake may precipitate withdrawal syndrome also called as Serotonin withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms like rebound increase in anxiety, irritability, palpitations, tremors, hypotension etc symptoms may be observed. I would advise you to consult a Psychiatrist for his condition and alternatively you can request his cardiologist for some more medicines so that gradual tapering of medicines can be done.

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General & Family Physician Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta's  Response
Hello,
Withdrawl symptoms generally appear 3 days after abrupt withdrawl of citalopram.These symptoms are flu like symptoms,fatigue,sweating,difficulty in sleeping,tremors,anxiety,headaches etc.
Although these withdrawl symptoms are not life threatening but they can cause immense disturbance to the patient as well as family.Normalky these withdrawl symptoms tend to npbe all right in 2 weeks time.
Some times a person may have severe symptoms mimicking stroke and then it requires hospitalisation.
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Sudden Stop Of Citalopram After Being Denied The Refill. History Of Triple Bypass, Depression. What To Expect?

Hello Welcome to HCM Citalopram is an SSRI drug and abrupt cessation of this drug after continuous intake may precipitate withdrawal syndrome also called as Serotonin withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms like rebound increase in anxiety, irritability, palpitations, tremors, hypotension etc symptoms may be observed. I would advise you to consult a Psychiatrist for his condition and alternatively you can request his cardiologist for some more medicines so that gradual tapering of medicines can be done. Thanks