From the Research
To minimize withdrawal symptoms, a patient taking Celexa (citalopram) 10mg should be tapered off the medication slowly, ideally over a period of months, with dose reductions made in a hyperbolic manner to reduce the effect on serotonin transporter inhibition in a linear way, as suggested by the study published in The Lancet Psychiatry in 2019 1.
Tapering Schedule
When tapering a patient off Celexa 10mg, it's essential to consider the individual's sensitivity to medication changes and their specific medical situation.
- The tapering process should start with reducing the dose by small increments,
- The dose should be reduced gradually, with a suggested reduction of 5mg every 2-4 weeks,
- However, the most recent and highest quality study suggests that a hyperbolic tapering schedule may be more effective in minimizing withdrawal symptoms 1.
Monitoring and Adjustments
Throughout the tapering process, patients should maintain regular contact with their healthcare provider to monitor for any concerning symptoms or mood changes.
- The healthcare provider should be aware of the potential for withdrawal symptoms, including dizziness, headaches, flu-like symptoms, irritability, nausea, and sensory disturbances,
- And adjust the tapering schedule as needed to minimize these symptoms.
Importance of Gradual Tapering
Abrupt discontinuation of Celexa can increase the risk of withdrawal symptoms,
- Therefore, a gradual tapering schedule is crucial to ensure the patient's safety and comfort during the discontinuation process,
- As supported by studies on tapering other medications, such as antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, which suggest that slower tapering is associated with a lower risk of relapse and withdrawal symptoms 2, 3.