Resolved question:
My Celexa has stopped working effectively after 5 years, my doctor wants to switch me back to Prozac which I previously took for several years old patientwith good results. I was taking 80mg of Celexa a day, for the first week of the switch she has me taking 40 mg of Celexa and 20 mg of Prozac which I fell comfortable with. But week two I take 40 mg of Prozac and one 40 mg Celexa every other day. Week 3 I am still taking 40 mg of Prozac but off Celexa completely. I should mention I have been taking one Welbutrin in the morning for about 8 months now to good effect combating my frequent tiredness, andalso she pprescribed me. 5 mg Xanax to take as needed during my adjustment process. My concern is that I had terrible side effects originally adjusting to Celexa, and aftet 5 years old patienttwo weeks may be tapering off Celexa too quick? I called my doctors office and was given to a nurse who dismissed my concerns fairly quickly on the basis of I should just do what the doctor said. I love my doctor but she is not an expert in this particular field and never warned me of the potential side effects of going on Celexa in the first place when she originally prescribed it.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Psychiatrist
Hello.
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Please dont panic as the procedure of tappering of medicines in you case is alright. The tapering has been done over two weeks and moreover celexa and prozac are both ssris and hence mostly similar in action. Hence there is less chances of withdrawal and the cross taper has been done properly.
You may even continue taking bupropion along with prozac.
Hope this helps,
In case if you need any further query, do let me know.
Kind regards.
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD
Ok, that makes me feel a little better. My only other question is if I am having a hard time is it ok to take a. 5 mg twice a day for a couple weeks if needed to get through the adjustment period without getting hooked on the Xanax? Also in the past when I was having the negative side effects drinking a few beers at night helped calm me down and take the edge off, is that safe? I am currently on a layoff so I don't have to drive or anything unless I want to.
Hello,
Thanks for the follow up.
Yes you may take 0.5 mg xanax as and when required until 2 tab per day for the chage over period. Alcohol does the same thing but it would be wise to stick to the medicines rather than taking alcohol. If you take these medicines for 2 -3weeks then it will not lead to dependence issues ie with such a short period.
Hope this helps, please let me know if you have any queries.
Kind regards,
Dr. Srikanth Reddy