Celexa Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timing and How People Stop
Stopping Celexa (citalopram) suddenly can bring dizziness, brain zaps, irritability and low mood.
By withClaro Editorial · 2026-11-02 · 4 min read
Clinical section reviewed by Dr. Jason Tan , Consultant Psychiatrist, on October 27, 2026.
Key takeaways The FDA label recommends lowering the dose gradually rather than stopping Celexa suddenly whenever possible, because symptoms are most likely after an abrupt stop. Withdrawal symptoms usually appear within days of a cut, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists says a slow reduction over a few weeks keeps them down for most people. Of 64 people on Reddit who wrote about stopping Celexa, low mood and anxiety were named most, followed by brain zaps, dizziness and irritability. Of 13 people on Reddit who said how long symptoms lasted, the typical answer was about 3 weeks, a small group to go on. On this page
What are Celexa withdrawal symptoms? What 64 people on Reddit said about stopping Celexa How long does Celexa withdrawal last? Is it withdrawal or the depression coming back? What should you tell your prescriber before stopping Celexa? Celexa (citalopram) withdrawal can bring dizziness, nausea, irritability, low mood and electric-shock sensations, usually in the days after a dose is cut or stopped. The FDA label lists these and says they are most likely after an abrupt stop. MedlinePlus says your doctor will probably lower the dose gradually.
What are Celexa withdrawal symptoms?
The FDA label lists nausea, sweating, low or irritable mood, agitation, dizziness, electric-shock sensations, tremor, anxiety, confusion, headache, tiredness, mood swings, insomnia, ringing in the ears, a high, overactive mood and seizures, without giving how often each happens. The electric-shock sensations are what people call brain zaps: brief jolts, often in the head, and MedlinePlus adds that they can come in the hands or feet.
What 64 people on Reddit said about stopping Celexa
We read 100 recent threads where people discussed stopping citalopram, comments included, and 64 people described their own experience of stopping or cutting down. People with a hard time are more likely to post, so treat this as a range of experiences rather than odds. Of the 64, 35 named at least one symptom, 5 said they had none or barely any, and the rest didn't describe how stopping felt. Low mood and anxiety came up most, then brain zaps, dizziness and irritability, which mostly matches the label. One person can be in more than one row:
Symptom people named Of the 35 who named one Low mood or crying 10 Anxiety or panic 9 Brain zaps 7 Dizziness 7 Irritability or anger 7 Headache 6
Not everyone had a hard time. One person on Reddit wrote:
Overall over the months I was tapering the withdrawal was manageable despite working night shift in a high stress job the entire time.
Of 37 people who said how they stopped Celexa, 18 tapered over a month or more, 3 over less than a month, and 16 stopped all at once.
How long does Celexa withdrawal last?
Often a few weeks. The Royal College of Psychiatrists says withdrawal symptoms usually appear within days of stopping and that, for most people, reducing the dose slowly over a few weeks keeps them down. Of 13 people on Reddit who said how long symptoms lasted, the typical answer was about 3 weeks, but a few named months, and 13 is a small group. If symptoms get in the way of daily life or keep growing, call your prescriber without waiting for weeks to pass.
Is it withdrawal or the depression coming back? Medically reviewed by Dr. Jason Tan on October 27, 2026, this section only.
To tell them apart, note the date of each dose cut, the day each symptom started and what it felt like, and bring those notes to your prescriber. The clinical view:
For many people symptoms are mild and pass within a couple of weeks. For others they are severe or last for months, and there is no reliable way to know in advance, although longer use, higher doses, medications that leave the body quickly and withdrawal on a past attempt all raise the risk. Stopping all at once carries the highest risk.
Withdrawal tends to start within days of a cut (later with fluoxetine) and includes physical symptoms, like brain zaps. It often eases soon after the previous dose is restarted. A relapse usually builds more slowly, over weeks.
If symptoms during a reduction are hard to bear, talk to your prescriber. The usual step is to go back to the last dose that felt stable, then reduce more slowly. Low mood was the symptom named most on Reddit. If your mood drops fast, you feel hopeless or you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your prescriber the same day rather than waiting. If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, contact emergency services or a crisis line straight away. In the US, call or text 988. In the UK, call Samaritans on 116 123. Elsewhere, find a crisis line near you .
What should you tell your prescriber before stopping Celexa?
Plan the stop with your prescriber before you cut a dose. It helps to tell them:
Why you want to stop, and how long you have been on Celexa. Your current dose. Whether you have had withdrawal or a relapse before. Other medicines you take. Big events coming up, such as exams, travel or a new job. More on doses in Celexa dosage .
Open the citalopram taper calculator Stopping Celexa goes more smoothly with a plan and a daily record of how you feel. The withClaro taper calculator builds a gradual plan for citalopram to discuss with your prescriber.
Frequently asked questions Can you stop Celexa cold turkey? The label says a gradual reduction is recommended whenever possible, because symptoms are most likely after an abrupt stop. Bring your dose and how long you have been on it to plan the stop with your prescriber.
Can you get withdrawal from missing a Celexa dose? Some people notice dizziness or irritability after a missed dose, the same symptoms as withdrawal. MedlinePlus says to take the missed dose when you remember, unless the next one is nearly due, and never to take a double dose. Tell your prescriber if it happens often.
Does Celexa withdrawal cause brain zaps? Yes, the label lists electric-shock sensations, and 7 of 64 people on Reddit named them. Note when they started relative to your last dose cut and tell your prescriber.
Can I restart Celexa if withdrawal is bad? That is a decision to make with your prescriber. Tell them which symptoms you have, when they began and how bad they are, so you can decide together what to do.
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Sources CELEXA (citalopram) prescribing information, US Food and Drug Administration via DailyMed MedlinePlus: Citalopram Royal College of Psychiatrists: Antidepressants Claro articles are for self-monitoring and educational purposes only. They are not a medical device, therapist, or diagnostic tool, and do not replace care from your prescribing clinician. If you are in crisis, contact your care team, emergency services, the Samaritans (UK: 116 123), or the Crisis Text Line (US: text HOME to 741741).