Citalopram side effects

[deepbreath]

I was recently put on Citalopram on the advice of my neurologist, as he felt that anxiety was making my neurological problem worse.

I took a tablet, had a headache that wasn't the worst in the world and felt OK ish. Took the 2nd one and I went like I had raging food poisoning. Had the worst D&V and a pounding headache. I expected a headache and maybe a bit of an upset stomach but this was unbearable. I begged dh to call someone for help as I felt THAT ill (he didn't).

Is this normal? I had taken Fluoxetine in the past (was very depressed then) but don't recall being so physically ill.

[Pumpster]

I didn't get that. Just insomnia, anxiety and lack of sex drive!

[Shinyshoes1]

I didn't get that either just
no sex drive
Very Lethargic , ( I now take the pills at night so
I wake up with some energy )
Slight anxiety which I never had before the meds ( mine were prescribed for depression)
Flat emotions

[thingamajig]

Not normal, definitely see a doctor or pharmacist about this. And I wouldn't take another tablet first. For the record, I have taken citalopram for about 5 years, through two pregnancies and been fine. I was a bit sleepy at first, but this was helped by taking at night not in the morning.

[HeadfirstForRomance]

I felt like shit the first week I took citalopram, headaches, nausea, diarrhoea and extreme tiredness. It did stop. I'm not on it anymore as it didn't agree with me long term, it helped with my anxiety and panic attacks but not my depression and I was constantly tired and dull on them.

Give it a few days and take things as easy as you can but if they still don't agree with you in a few days go back to your GP. Medications can affect people in deifferent ways and it may just not be for you.

[HeadfirstForRomance]

Shiny I forgot about the zero sex drive :( It still isn't back to normal and I've been off citalopram 6 months.

[deepbreath]

Thanks, I felt as though I'd reacted badly to them. I also had a rash on my chest but didn't bother to seek medical advice as I started to feel better, presumably as I'd got rid of the Citalopram that I'd taken. I just didn't take the next tablet.

Might ask if I can try Diazepam instead, as have taken them before with no bad effects. Got too much going on at the moment (had my DWP decision today to stop my benefits as they think I am well enough to work so won't be moved onto ESA), so am feeling frazzled and ill.

[Springforward]

It's normal. I lost a stone within three weeks of starting on citalopram, but by week 6 (2 weeks after last dose increase)it stopped and I felt much better.

My side effects were nausea/ vomiting, diarrhoea, heightened anxiety, two panic attacks and zero appetite. I checked this out with both GP and NHS Direct, both confirmed these to be normal in the early days.

[deepbreath]

Thanks, if the neurologist expected these side effects it is maybe another reason why he put me on them. He had previously pointed out my weight gain (after being prescribed other meds that made me put weight on) and gave me other meds that also made me ill, stating that "these will help you lose the weight". I'd rather be fat, thanks...

[CrazyBabies]

Hi there, I am in week 3 of taking citralopram, and a few hours after taking the first tablet i was really sick and had diareah which lasted ages. I felt so ill. During the first week I had a lot of side effects, racing heart, insomnia, upset tummy. But during the second week I felt human again, and now I am really starting to feel so much better. I would say the only side effect now is insomnia, so I am taking in the morning now.
Good luck.