Switched From Effexor(venlafaxine) To Celexa (citalopram)

Hi....Here's the short version of my story. I was on effexor for 13 years, started out at 37.5mg for probably 9 years and had absolutely No problems with anxiety. I was so good that I decided to stop taking it. Felt great for 3 months then I had a terrible attack in the middle of the night. Went to doc she put me back on and all said and done was up to 225mg to make me feel "normal". From there I stayed on that dose until about 6 weeks ago. Again I woke up in the middle of the night with a panic attack. Unfortunately they don't just stop, they go on for days and weeks! I immediately went to my doc and she upped me to 300mg of effexor, after a couple weeks we decided it just wasn't working anymore. We chose citalopram as the next option because my brother has had success on it. We made a plan for the switch and here it is......
Immediately drop to 150mg of effexor and start 10 mg of citalopram
In 4 days drop to 75 mg of effexor and stay ay 10 mg of citalopram
In 4 more days stop effexor completely and stay at 10 mg of citalopram.
I followed the plan and when completely off of effexor I started with the full attacks again so she upped me to 20 mg. that's where I've been for 18 days. My days are a roller coaster, some I feel fine others I have anxiety.
My question is has anyone out there done this switch and what was the outcome. Is it too early to say if citalopram will work for me? Any input would be appreciated.

REPLY

REPORT

1 Reply

Hello, Brandon! How are you? Are you doing any better, yet?

That was a bit of a rapid taper, so you are most likely experiencing both withdrawal symptoms from the Effexor, as well as side effects of the Citalopram. Too rapid of a withdrawal can also cause rebound effects, which could make your anxiety and panic attacks worse than they were to begin with.

To really see if the Citalopram works for you, you'll need to be off of the Effexor and taking it for 3 to 4 weeks, at one steady dose. ITs common side effects may include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, headache and weight changes.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hi....Here's the short version of my story. I was on effexor for 13 years, started out at 37.5mg for probably 9 year...

1 REPLY

I was diagnosed with postpartum depression/anxiety last month. This is the first time I have taken antidepressants...I s...

1 REPLY

Hi, I have been on 20mg of Citalopram (Celexa) for a year and starting to come off them. I was taking 2 x 10 mg tablets ...

2 REPLIES

Can you use low doses of Tramadol and Celexa (citalopram) on the same day? 20 mg of Celexa a day and 50mg of tramadol as...

3 REPLIES

My daughter has been trying to taper off effexor for 6 months. She has had nausea, vertigo, brain zaps. A couple days ag...

3 REPLIES

i have taken effexof for years and i have never seen any like the one i have now. it is pale yellow round tablet smooth ...

4 REPLIES

I was on Citalopram and I was feeling very sick whilst taking these, my doc changed me over to cymgen last week Thursday...

1 REPLY

White little round pill. Says MX33 on it. What's it used for? ## Yes, this tablet contains 40mgs of Citalopram, the ...

1 REPLY

i am on 75mg of venlafaxine per day. Are there any over the counter diet pills should stay away from? Specifically abide...

1 REPLY

was taking metoprolol er 25 mg for a year, asked the dr for something less expensive so she switched me to metoprolol ta...

1 REPLY