Celexa Withdrawal

People who are going off of their antidepressant medication, or are switching medications, need to be aware of the possibility of experiencing symptoms from abrupt Celexa withdrawal. Citalopram (Celexa) is one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of pharmaceuticals used for mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. SSRI medications are generally well tolerated, however, suddenly stopping the medicine can cause a person to seek medical attention for symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and other flu-like symptoms. Usually the diagnosis of SSRI discontinuation syndrome, such as citalopram (Celexa) withdrawal, is readily made after a brief examination by a trained health care provider.

Celexa Withdrawal Symptoms

The most common symptoms from abrupt SSRI discontinuation are vague and wide-ranging, but can include poor concentration, vertigo, or weakness. The most common symptoms for Celexa withdrawal tend to be headache, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness. People often describe a mild “electric” tingling sensation in the arms and fingers. In most cases symptoms are mild although on occasion they can be severe and chronic.

Onset: The onset usually is from 1 to 7 days after discontinuing the medication.

Duration: In general, in most cases the symptoms are short lived and go away within a couple of weeks. A recommended strategy to reduce the risk of experiencing discontinuation effects is to slowly taper the dose when undergoing Celexa withdrawal or stopping any other SSRI.

Treatment of Celexa Withdrawal

The treatment of discontinuation syndrome usually starts with the reassurance that the condition is generally benign, and although symptoms can be uncomfortable, they tend to resolve within a couple of weeks. When the condition is less severe, the best approach sometimes is just giving it time and taking things easy for a week or two. Do not drive until symptoms resolve. For more severe symptoms, it may be helpful to restart the medication or substitute a different SSRI (such as fluoxetine) as the best treatment to reduce the symptoms of Celexa withdrawal.

Preventing Celexa Withdrawal

For anyone currently on or starting to take an antidepressant SSRI medication, they should be aware of the possible side effects from abrupt withdrawal, and take steps to prevent those side effects. Slowly tapering the dose when discontinuing the medication seems to be the best strategy to reduce risk. It is helpful to discuss the possibility of discontinuation syndrome with a health care provider before Celexa withdrawal.