Taper off the effexor before starting the celexa. My doc says since i am on such a low dose of effexor, 150mg/day, it is my choice, but i really would like to get the celexa started.
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Taper off the effexor before starting the celexa. My doc says since i am on such a low dose of effexor, 150mg/day, it is my choice, but i really would like to get the celexa started.
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I was on celexa and switched to effexor. Celexa is horrible. My psychiatrist says it’s the worst antidepressant made. He said if you do go that route take the newer version "lexapro" which is a modified version of celexa. He said that to take a dosage large enough to be effective it causes hell on your stomach.
Effexor was a life changer for me. However if you must switch Effexor has horrible side effects when you stop. Crazy dreams, brain zaps, nausea, migraines. Taper off VERY slow or you will be VERY sorry
You should definitely taper off slowly. Effexor has a reputation for having a very bad discontinuation syndrome (it’s not called ‘withdrawal’ as they’re technically not withdrawal symptoms as Effexor isn’t physically addictive, but the symptoms are pretty much the same). 150mg/day isn’t actually that low a dose, it’s certainly nowhere near the maximum dose but it’s not inconsiderable.
Crazymeds.us recommends reducing your dose by 37.5mg per week until you’re off it, if you’re going onto Celexa you may be able to overlap when you start taking the Celexa as you’re coming off the Effexor. Discuss it with your doctor in more detail, but I’d say take it slowly as the discontinuation syndrome can be pretty unpleasant and you don’t want to make yourself feel any worse.
Tixylix is right about SLOWLY tapering off the Effexor. I was on Luvox and tapered off but did it too quickly and was so, so sick and then suicidal.
Follow your doctor’s directions to the letter. One concern about starting one while still on another one is that it is hard to tell what symptoms go with which medication.
But if the doctor feels you can start one and go off th other at the same time, then it is possible. And although 150mg might seem like a low dosage, it is the medication itself not the dosage that leads to the withdrawal.
I wish you the best. Make certain you are seeing your doctor regularly and maybe even talk to your pharmacist as they are very knowledgeable about medications and side effects.
Take care.