Has anyone tapered off Citalopram while starting another Anti-depressant?

[Ldm247]

Getting off of Citalapram

[TheEmptyNest]

Although I don't have experience with this, I'm in your same boat... I'm considering tapering off Lexapro while starting a new medication, but I'm scared! Hopefully someone on here will reply with their experience!

[Ldm247 in reply to TheEmptyNest]

Hopefully we hear from some that have been through this transition, I am curious how others got along.

[AK0424]

I have a few years back. Anything in particular you're wondering?

[Ldm247 in reply to AK0424]

I have been on Citalapram 20mg for 15 years and now switching to Mirtazapine. Dr suggested cutting Citalapram in half for a week and then stopping. Seems abrupt to me and I am anxious about withdrawal side effects. Did you have any issues changing?

[AK0424 in reply to Ldm247]

No I never had any side effects. If any I only had the dry mouth starting meds. 1 week does sound fast though.

[Blueruth]

Ld, my doctor said it was quick. We even argued. I suggest taking at the speed that keeps you safe. You know your body best. I had to walk back the decreases at least once because I was an emotional wreck. I was not switching to something else. But you can tell if it is too fast. For example reduce by 1/2 and if that is too much go to 1/4. Give it at least five days or more to see how you react.

Ultimately a cleanse helped me end it but there is not a lot of science and many of them are bad. You would want to do a lot of research.

[amsad]

I have. Not only Citalopram but several other antidepressants at different points in my life. I find that switching rather quickly reduces the number of days I might have odd symptoms. I didn't have a horrible experience switching from Citalopram. Maybe just one day where I felt more anxious than usual. I find that getting extra rest helps me deal with these transitions.

Hope this helps you feel brave!

[Ldm247 in reply to amsad]

I was taking Citalapram primarily for anxiety and then it seemed to stop working, so trying another to help with the anxiety and depression. Any recommendations that you have from your experience?

[amsad in reply to Ldm247]

I think you just have to be very, very patient and take things as they come. I was on Paxil for almost 20 years. Just stopped working.Then tried all kinds of other meds including citalopram (didn't help much), mirtazapine (made me very sleepy) , imipramine (made me more anxious but my sleep was great), buspirone (didn't help) , even lithium (no change) . I've finally settled down on venlafaxine with rare use of clonazepam if my mind gets off balance. Feeling much better but it has taken about a year to be able to say that!

I've had treatment-resistant depression in the past as well. No joke.

Hope you have lots of support from a doctor and/or therapist. It's made a world of difference for me.

[Ldm247 in reply to amsad]

Thanks for your response!

[1greyhorse]

Hi i have only taken citalopram , first time after losing my dad, came off it cold turkey after 18 months, never ever do that! I thought i was ok, but i was so angry and depressed and didn't realise I nearly lost my fiance and my business. At rock bottom i cried to my doctor who put me back on 40 mg this time ( double the first time) and i actually feel like my old self again for the first time in many years, calm happy and in control. Hope this helps xx

[Ldm247 in reply to 1greyhorse]

Thanks for your input! Do you have any side effects? I am curious why my Dr did not raise me from 20 to 40 mg of Citalapram. I was having insomnia started Mirtazapine.

[Brighterdaysahead]

I have just been told to up my Citalapram to 40mg and I also take Mirtazapine 15mg at night time..Is your doctor saying you can’t take both together???

[Ldm247 in reply to Brighterdaysahead]

No he did not say not to take together. I have been on Citalapram for 15 years. Started at 10 mg for anxiety and about 6 years ago was having breakthrough anxiety, so he upped to 20. This past November the anxiety hit hard and suddenly accompanied with insomnia, so he put me on Mirtazapine 30 mg for sleep and depression. The anxiety subsided, but depression had set in which was new for me. So Dr recommended upping Mirtazapine to 45. I asked him what the Citalapram was doing and he said most likely nothing. I was like why am I still taking it and he said let’s stop it. He said cut in half for one week and then stop. I thought that seemed abrupt so I am tapering off in a month.

[Ldm247 in reply to Brighterdaysahead]

Btw are you on Citalapram for anxiety, depression or both? It worked flawlessly for me for 15 years.

[Brighterdaysahead in reply to Ldm247]

I am new to all this I was only diagnosed with anxiety and depression just before Xmas...I started off on 15mg Mirtazapine which help me to sleep but didn’t feel like it was helping with anything thing else...I didn’t what them to up my Mirtazapine cause I didn’t want to be feeling sleepy the day after..So they then started me on Sertraline 50mg I took that for 4 wks and again didn’t notice any change..So now I have been taking Citalapram 20mg for 1 wk and from today I am now on 40mg as well as the 15mg Mirtazapine!!!Hopefully I will see an improvement soon but today my emotions have been all over the place...

[Ldm247 in reply to Brighterdaysahead]

Give it some time and see if you get some help from it, it really helped my anxiety. I am curious why my Dr didn’t raise my dosage? I will ask him next visit. My Dr was willing to give me some Lorazepam, sparingly, as a security blanket if I felt like I was heading into a panic attack.

[lowtech]

I tapered myself off 10mg to 5mg then stopped because I was feeling better about what had previously affected me; but now having 5mg just to keep me a bit more balanced. No physical side effects as far as I noticed.

[Ldm247 in reply to lowtech]

Thanks, appreciate your experience! We you say balanced are you referring to anxiety or other things?

[lowtech]

Anxiety and stress from extended (over 8 years) NHS negligence case after son died. Was never resolved.

[Ldm247 in reply to lowtech]

Glad you are able to stay balanced after such a traumatic experience, thank you for your reply, I wish you blessings!