Stopping Celexa

[Klarise]

I have been on celexa for the past 3 years at 60mg a day. I'am still unable to work and have many other problems as well, such as eating disorder, social phobia, post tramatic stress syndrome, severe depression, anxiety, and i could add more but those are the main ones. I have now run into a situation where my insurance coverage has me in Limbo. They are trying to decide whether they will continue coverage or not. Without this coverage I can not afford to buy the celexa anymore. I only have 2 days left of the prescription and may have to stop taking it cold turkey. What types of side affects am I looking at having, And is it even safe to stop taking it this way.

[birdie0907]

I talked to a pharmacist. After stopping, it takes 3 weeks for the Celexa levels to disappear from the body.

[birdie0907]

I have tapered from 30 mg per day to 20, then 10.
Last week I took 5 mg for 8 days. Now I am in my 6th day of nothing. Does anyone have any experience with the last days that I am in?
I feel great but occasionally, perhaps once or twice a day, get a stab for a few seconds that takes 10 more seconds to reassure myself and go back to normal.

[birdie0907]

You have to taper off. There are lots of horror stories from those who went cold turkey. I was on 30 per day and went down to 20, 10 and am at 5. Each taper is 2 weeks and I have 1 week left to go for the 5s. So far the effects are not very noticeable.

You should talk to a pharmacist if you can't afford a doctor as there are different tapering strategies.

[azalea82]

If you are in the US, Celexa is availabe as generic citalopram for $4 for 30 tablets at Wal-mart.