How To Come Off Citalopram After 10 Years? (strategies)

By Ivan Kahwa

Page last updated: 05/02/2024 | Next review date: 05/02/2026

Author bio

Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.

Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:

Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Professional Experience:

Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.

With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.

Education:

2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Publications:

▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7

▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60

▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.

https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683

▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.

https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004

▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2

▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.

https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600

Published book Chapter

▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4

Submitted manuscripts Under Review:

▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience

▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine

▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Submitted book chapters under review

1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.

2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press

You can view my works on the following professional sites:

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437

Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159

Ivan Kahwa

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In this article, we will discuss how citalopram could be tapered off before discontinuing completely after 10 years of its usage. We will also discuss some potential risks of abrupt citalopram withdrawal and the best possible ways to discontinue it completely.

How to come off citalopram after 10 years?

Discontinuing citalopram, especially after prolonged use of 10 years requires a cautious and gradual tapering-off process under the strict supervision of a healthcare professional as withdrawing citalopram abruptly may cause serious side effects. Here are some general steps to consider: (1,2)

Consult with your healthcare provider:

Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your decision to come off citalopram.
Review your medical history, current mental health status and any potential risk factors. (1)

Assessment of readiness:

Work with your healthcare provider to assess whether it’s an appropriate time for you to discontinue the medication.
Share your reasons for discontinuation and any concerns you may have.

Gradual tapering-off plan:

Develop a gradual tapering plan with your healthcare provider. Abruptly stopping citalopram can lead to different withdrawal symptoms.
Tapering schedules vary, but a common approach is to reduce the dosage slowly over several weeks or months. (1,2)

Monitor for withdrawal symptoms:

Be aware of potential withdrawal symptoms which may include nausea, dizziness, irritability or flu-like symptoms.
Communicate any symptoms to your healthcare provider promptly. (3)

Lifestyle support:

Consider implementing lifestyle changes to support your mental well-being such as regular exercise, a balanced diet and stress management practices. (3)

Psychological support:

If needed, you can explore psychological support options like therapy or counselling to help manage the emotional aspects of coming off medication. (1,3)

Patience and self-care:

Be patient with the process as adjustment periods can vary from person to person.
Prioritize self-care and maintain open communication with your healthcare provider throughout.

What are the potential withdrawal symptoms of discontinuing citalopram?

Discontinuing citalopram, especially without proper medical guidance can lead to withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may vary in severity and duration among individuals. Common withdrawal symptoms may include: (4)

Dizziness or lightheadedness
Nausea or upset stomach
Insomnia or sleep disturbances
Headache
Irritability or mood swings
Fatigue
Tremors
Balance difficulties
Flu-like symptoms (muscle aches or chills)

It’s important to note that these symptoms can be minimized or managed through a gradual tapering-off process supervised by a healthcare professional. (4)

If you have been on higher doses of citalopram for a longer time, stopping it can be a different experience than if you were on lower doses for a shorter period.

The higher the dose and the longer you have been taking it, the more your body might be used to it. This can make the adjustment a bit trickier, that’s why talking to your doctor while you’re coming off citalopram is very important.

What signs indicate that you may be ready to discontinue citalopram?

Some signs that may indicate that you and your healthcare provider could consider the possibility of discontinuation include:

Stable mental health: If your mental health has been stabilized for an extended period with improvement in mood, reduced anxiety and better overall well-being, it may suggest that you’re in a good place to discuss discontinuation.
Consistent medication adherence: If you have been consistently taking your medications as prescribed without any issues, it may suggest good medication adherence which is an important factor in considering discontinuation.
Life circumstances: You are experiencing positive changes in your life circumstances, such as you are better at stress management and other coping mechanisms.
Desire to taper off: Your desire to explore life without medication and your willingness to engage in a tapering process under the guidance of your doctor are important factors to consider.

Why is it difficult to come off citalopram after 10 years?

Stopping citalopram after using it for a long time could be hard because of how the body gets used to it. It’s not only like getting addicted to a drug, but the body adjusts to having the medication. When you suddenly stop citalopram, you will need some time to re-adjust and may experience some uncomfortable symptoms.

Here are some reasons why it can be difficult:

Physical Dependence:

Physical dependence is very common with such medications because the body gets used to having citalopram daily at a specific time. So stopping it abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms. This is not the same as addiction where there’s a craving for that drug you have been taking. (1)

Neuroadaptation:

Citalopram affects how chemicals in the brain work and long-term use can lead to the brain making adjustments. Stopping medication suddenly could disrupt these adjustments, causing withdrawal symptoms as the brain tries to get back to normal.

Withdrawal symptoms:

The longer someone has used citalopram, the more withdrawal symptoms they are likely to experience. These may include dizziness, nausea, irritability, strange dreams and flu-like symptoms. (3)

Rebound effects:

Stopping citalopram suddenly can sometimes bring back or even worsen the symptoms it was helping with.

In my opinion, the process of coming off citalopram can vary from individual to individual and the guidance of a healthcare professional is essential to ensure a safe and effective discontinuation process tailored to your specific needs. Never make changes to your medication regimen without consulting your doctor.