Tapering Off Citalopram Safely

Introduction to Tapering

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends reducing citalopram dosage by percentages of the current dose, rather than fixed quantities, with reductions every 2-4 weeks, to minimize withdrawal symptoms 1

Patients should be monitored for somatic symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and sensory disturbances, as well as psychological symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and mood changes, during the tapering process 1
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests that symptoms such as anxiety and agitation, irritability, and mood changes are common during citalopram tapering 1
The strength of evidence for these symptoms is based on clinical guidelines and recommendations from reputable medical societies 1

For patients taking other medications, such as benzodiazepines, it is recommended to taper opioids first, then benzodiazepines, and finally citalopram, due to the higher risk of benzodiazepine withdrawal seizures 5
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends caution when tapering citalopram in patients taking other medications that may interact with it, such as those that prolong the QT interval 1

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can increase the success rate of tapering and may be particularly useful for patients with difficulties 5
Stress management and relaxation techniques, as well as exercise and physical activity, can also be beneficial during the tapering process 3