Reducing after 9 weeks advice

[Suziewuzie]

Hi all. I know not a lot of people post on here but I'm looking for any thoughts or success stories.
I've been on citalopram for 9 weeks now, I started on 10mg then increased to 20. I have been on it in the past for anxiety which floored me, but this time my issue was more depression after a very difficult break up.
With the help of counselling, exercise, going back to work etc I've got myself to a very good place & the only thing bothering me now is the side effects of the medication so I'm wanting to stop it in the next month or so.
I've been on 20 mgfor about 5 weeks but have been reducing by 2.5 mg a week now so I'm currently taking 12.5 mg. I was intending to stay on this for a week then move to 10 but stay on 10 for a good month. Is this too long or not long enough?
My GP thinks after 9 weeks I'm safe to stop very quickly but I'm not comfortable with that.

[epitaxial]

2.5mg per week is a very fast taper. Have you encountered any side effects from the quick reductions [ie: increased anxiety, dizziness, etc]? Typically you want to stay on a reduced dose for a month so your body/brain can adjust to dosage changes.

Your plan sounds like the right decision - stay on 10mg for a month and see how you feel. If you feel ok [little to no side effects], reduce to 7.5mg and take it for a month. If you feel ok, reduce to 5mg and take it for a month. If you feel ok, reduce to 2.5mg and take it for a month. If you feel ok - stop.

If at any time you don't feel ok - keep taking the dose or reinstate to the previous dose and reduce at a smaller rate.

Good luck!

[wcs2222]

Hello suziewuzie,

Congratulations on getting better through counselling, exercise, going back to work etc! 9 weeks on citalopram (only 5 weeks at 20mg) is not very long and you should be able to stop quite quickly, but take your time and taper down to 5mg before stopping to be on the safe side and watch out for rebound of symptoms.

5-9 weeks is still the initial adjustment period with the horrible side effects. If you stay a few weeks long, the side effects should be subsiding anyway.