When best to take Citalopram?

[4267sparkles]

Morning

I was prescribed 20mg of Citalopram yesterday and I took one in the afternoon,however I had such a bad nights sleep. I dont know if it was the tablet or how Im feeling but just wondered if its better taking it in the morning (running the rise of feeling crap at work) or at night ( and not sleeping)

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

I take mine first thing then eat something.

Have you gone straight on to 20mg? I started on 10 then 20.

[DinkyGT]

It will take some time for the tablet to actually have an effect so it could be your anxiety or other feelings resulting in your restlessness. I had similar at first. I take mine just before I go to sleep at night (same dose) but it may be better for you to have it in the morning where you have other things to take your mind off it if that makes sense!
Hope all goes well OP x

[Orangebird69]

I used to take mine first thing (started on 20mg, upped to 40mg after a month). Not sure if I had side effects or not though as I was also on beta blockers at the time for panic attacks. Good luck. The medication really helped me.

[ineedamoreadultieradult]

I have to take mine before bed otherwise it makes me too sleepy to really function during the day. It might not be so bad now I've been on them for a while but it's just a routine I've got into so I don't want to change it now.

[AliciaMayEmory]

I also like a pp started on 10mg and then after a week went up to 20mg. I took them at night time and luckily didn't suffer any side effects. Fingers crossed any side effects pass quickly. I think sometimes what we think are side effects are actually due to our anxiety. It's a scary thing to be taking new medication. It's also scary to think that we might feel less anxious some time soon, daft as that may sound, but we get used to our ways of thinking and coping. Anything else is just like relinquishing control. Best of luck, OP. I hope that the tablet start to work soon for you, they were really useful for me in what was a dark time.

[123fushia]

I take 20 mg at bedtime.

[GooodMythicalMorning]

Im on 40mg. I do half in the morning and half at bed time.

[han01uk]

There is a link with jaw clenching and teeth grinding so my gp recommended I switch from taking at night to taking in the morning as I was having terrible headaches from jaw clenching in my sleep. She also said the peak effect would be in the middle of the night if you take before bed so seems to make sense.

[Regularsizedrudy]

I take it in the morning as it keeps me awake. Also be prepared to feel rough for a few days once you start but I promise you'll even out!

[BossWitch]

I went straight onto 20. I was advised to take in the morning with food, so have been having it at about 8. But thinking I might change, on the days when I've forgotten to take it (busy mornings with toddler) I've found I'm pretty ok in the morning but flagging by afternoon, so wondering about shifting it to lunchtime.

It took about a week and a half for the side effects to settle down for me, and probably a month to start having a positive impact.

[lovemybabies3]

hi im going to jump on this thread as iv started this yesterday! taking 10mg for 3 weeks then upping it after iv seen my doctor again! has anyone had the side affect of grinding there teeth! i started doing it today without really realising! felt a little sicky and off my food! then ill be starving! how long do the side affects normally last! or will i be grinding my teeth the whole time! little bit nervous about taking anything as i dont normally even take paracetamol unless im really desperate.

[4267sparkles]

Thanks guys On day 4 of taking my tablet in the morning and so far it seems ok. Have had a bit of a headache but seem ok. Still not sleeping but its probably more my anxious state. Im back to work on monday so will see how that goes.