I was very bad depressed & having alot of anxiety. I was put on 20mg, then 40mg, then 60mg. I just didn't seem to get better. I am now on 40mg, taking 2 every morning. I have read that it really is not beneficial w/more mgs. I wondering if anyone is taking this amount & had any problems. I talked w/my doctor & said to continue with the 80mg & we will talk more about it on my next visit. I, also, take 0.25mg of Xanax when needed.
I am on 80mg of Celexa & I am 66yrs old. Is anyone else taking that amount of mg?
Question posted by Anonymous on 5 Jan 2013
Last updated on 9 January 2013
5 Answers
Inactive
6 Jan 2013
Hello, I take celexa and recently asked my psychiatrist if she could increase the dose as I have been having severe anxiety and she told me No, bc not only is it not beneficial over 40 mg, but also she said it can increase chance of a stroke with doses over 40 mg. Just as Delila mentioned trying a combination of meds may help. Let your Dr know about this medication as 80 mg is way to high of a dose. Curious if your Dr is a GP or Psychiatrist?
Best of luck to you ... pamee
Inactive
6 Jan 2013
A Psychiatrist.
Inactive
6 Jan 2013
I'm surprised a psychiatrist would give such a high dose, however, I am not a doctor and I am sure she knows what she's doing.
Inactive
7 Jan 2013
I had to go to my Cardiologist today for 6 mo ck up. They did ekg and I do have P QT being high. He said to try another medicine as the Celexa was not good for me. I called my doctor. She had her asst. call me and tell me how to slowly go off of it, but she would not call me anything else to try. Said to just see how I did off Celexa. Call if I had any problems.
Inactive
8 Jan 2013
Good call tapering off celexa. If you find you need another antidepressant there are so many good ones for anxiety, unless of course you have anxiety and panic attacks severely, but that's what the xanax is for. My anxiety is over the roof and I haven't found an a/d yet that calms it, so I do hope you have better luck than me... best wishes
Inactive
8 Jan 2013
Pamee, thank you. What worries me is when I'm off Celexa, I don't have another anti depression medicine to take. The doctor said she wasn't going to call me anything else in. To call her if I had problems. She prescribes the Ambien, and Xanax. If I went to another doctor, I don't know they would give me those w/new depression meds. I can't sleep, have alot of anxiety so I understand where you are coming from. They are awful.
Inactive
9 Jan 2013
You're welcome bhouse! In my opinion you should call her for another antidepressant that helps with anxiety and sleep. Have you ever tried trazodone? Trazodone helps with sleep and anxiety, but it's an older med and your Dr may want to give you a newer type of a/d
Inactive
9 Jan 2013
Ihave heard of Trazadone, but, have not tried it. I know how you feel with the panic attacks/anxiety. I feel sad most of the time, and, the days I feel happy I just cherish them because I know there's not many of them. I feel afraid and I know I should not. God saids not to fear, but, with life and all the bad stuff you hear, it is hard. But, I know He is more powerful than anything. But, I sure wish He would take away this feeling of doom and gloom. How are most of you days?
Delila
6 Jan 2013
Hi, 80mg is a very high dose and i can't help be concerned for you! I take 60mg Celexa/Citalopram and am constantly being warned about my dosage and the side effects that it can carry. Especially heart disease/deterioration. 40mg is the maximum dosage suggested to be prescribed now. It changed over the last year or 2. It was early 2011 that i was increased to 60mg from 40mg. A pharmacist i visited recently has refused to dispense another prescription for Citalopram at that dose. I am currently working with my doctor to reduce some of my medications and i think this one will be next. Personally i have found that a combination of medications is better for me/treats my depression best. Maybe you could discuss this with your doctor? I'm very surprised that he is happy to keep you on 80mg.
Inactive
6 Jan 2013
I am surprised and hurt that is the answer she had the person call and tell me, too. I am going for my Cardiologist tomorrow for my 6month ck up. I am surly telling him and see what he saids. No matter, I am going to call the doctor who prescribed them and ask how I can get to a lower dose, or better yet, I will make an appt w/her, as my next one is not until June.
kaismama
5 Jan 2013
Max dose is 40 mg a day. That is they feel that over 40 is no benefit. Perhaps you need to add another antidepressent or change antidepressents altogether.
LaurieShay
5 Jan 2013
I must share that taking more than the recommended maximum which is 40mg of Celexa can be dangerous. The FDA has warned practitioners of the connection between Celexa greater than 40mgs and heart problems. I would recommend you ask your doctor about this and if he is unaware ask him to investigate. You can google "Celexa and heart problems" and read about the FDA warnings and recommendations published back in 2011 concerning this issue.
Inactive
5 Jan 2013
Hello bhouse. It truly varies in as much as a individuals dose. Old tale, we all respond differently. As we age, our bodies are more in tune to the various drugs. More so in regards to psychiatric ones, because they work on the brain and as we age, this organ also ages. Your dose is high bit not uncommonly so. I know of where people are over (often almost double) or near, close to the FDA/manufacturers recommendations. I believe that once your depression eases, your doctor will decide what adjustment, if any she/he will perscribe. Just to add if you are feeling comfortable on the dose, and no side effects that are bothersome to the point of not wanting, willing to take the Celexa, I believe you will be fine. Regards pledge
Inactive
6 Jan 2013
Thank you so much for your response. I have been so worried about this, but, the doctor has my medical records, but, I do know they don't always look at them often.
With all these warnings of medicine, it's awful. I don't want to get in such a state of depression I was in. I still have my days. But, most are better.
Related topics
celexa, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder
Further information
- Celexa uses and safety info
- Celexa prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Celexa (detailed)
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