What time of day do you take your citalopram and what side effects do you get?

[LittleMissNorty]

I have recently been prescribed 20mg per day citalopram for anxiety and it specifically said on my prescription to take them in the morning.

I think they are making me drowsy. I am knackered all the time, but especially in the mornings atm and I've a 25 month old and 22 week old to look after But I don't want to change to taking them at night just yet in case there is a good reason.

My doctor that prescribed them isn't in till Wednesday, so I thought I'd see what others do in the meantime?

Does it make you drowsy or am I just a lightweight who doesn't like getting up at 6am with my baby

TIA

[craftynclothy]

Hi,

I had the same problem. I would just want to sleep all day. My doctor said it was fine to take them in the evening. I tried taking them just before bed but then I didn't get to sleep for a couple of hours so I think I started taking them about 8pm and that seemed to work well for me (took a couple of weeks to figure out the best time to take them).

Once I had the timing sorted out I found they really did make a difference.

[MegSophandEmma]

I too am on 20mg and have been now for coming up 3 months.

I had the same side effects as yourself; The sleepyness would usually knock me sideways. I went against the advised rules and started taking them a few hours before bed. The only problem I had then, was vivid dreaming and waking up in the early hours, unable to get back to sleep. But despite the early rising I eventually started to feel much brighter during the day. These symptoms tend to last for a few weeks and then tail off once your system is ok with them.

[MerlinsBeard]

Have you just started on them? I had a horrible time at first but started taking them at night and it was much better. However if it specifically says to take them 1st thing there must be a reason for that(mine didn't say a time)

The side effects do settle, but could you take them later in the mornings rather than earlier?

[LittleMissNorty]

Hi thanks ladies

Yes I've been on them 2 weeks Wednesday. I was on Dosulepin for a few months when I was pg but they were just keeping the anxiety bubbling under the surface IYKWIM. I needed something more effective so I changed over (rather abruptly, but I can't take 2 at once!) and I've had a nightmare 2 weeks with panic attacks. Think they are beginning to help now, but I'm just so tired.

It certainly sounds like they are the problem rather than my DS!

[Cosmosis]

I take mine with my evening meal. All the side effects have gone now (1 month in) apart from lack of libido - which is a little bit of a problem given we're ttc

[LittleMissNorty]

Thanks - will change to the evening I think and see how I get on.

My GP took me off citalopram when I fell for DS Cosmosis.

[anonandlikeit]

Hi

I've been on Citalopram 20mg for about 12mnths.
I intially took them at night & I was awake all night, buzzing & with the worst panic attacks I've ever experienced.
I swapped to the mornings & i've been fine.

One of the side effects during the first few weeks is tiredness, for the first couple of weeks I felt so drowsy, extreme tiredness just sort of came in waves.
Thankfully this passed along with the excessive yawning (another side effect).

They have beed fantastic for me, in fact i'm just slowly starting to reduce & come off them.
Good luck, I hope they help you.

[LittleMissNorty]

Thanks anon....perhaps I need to persist a bit longer and see if it passes. Last time I was on it, it was only 10mg so never noticed this tiredness.

[Cosmosis]

yes littlemmissnorty, he said it wasn't great to take when PG. Did he put you on something else then?

[LittleMissNorty]

Yes, but not until I was 18 weeks. It wasn't easy as I felt pretty rough. Was put onto Dosulepin which is safe in pg. I took it right up until 2 weeks ago. DS was fine.

Hoping these will be far more effective though.

Good luck with TTC

[Kanye1970]

Hi there ,I was prescribed 20mg of Celexa approximately 1 month ago.I suffered falling asleep around the clock , terrible headaches.On the 16th day I cut the pill in half and did that for 4 days then 2 days at 5mg.i have had nothing today and don't want to take anymore.Is there anyway I can just stop now considering I was only on them for a month ?
Thank you for any input

[pugsake]

Kanye you might get more answers if you start a new thread this ones from 2009.

I don't know why you were prescribed them but I really would see your GP before stopping altogether.

They do make you feel worse before you feel better. The general rule is it takes 3 weeks to start working properly.

I've never been on celexa so I don't know the side effects it really might be worth starting a new thread.

[Kanye1970]

OMG..Thank you pug sake lol..I had no idea was just trying to get some feedback if possible..I was put on for depression ..was drinking myself to death..but I can't even function on these things and it's a week past the3wk mark..I don't have a GP were prescribed from emergency

[EBearhug]

I first took them at night, and the dreams were a bit tippy, though I'm prone to vivid dreams anyway, especially when struggling mentally. Mentioned this to the GP, who pointed out I should take them in the morning. I did get sleepy sometimes, but then I often have periods of insomnia, (see posting time...) so that happens off citalopram, too, and I don't know if was the drug or just me.

[pugsake]

I'm not a GP but I would say if it was an emergency prescription you really should see a doctor.

There is a lot of different antidepressants and everyone reacts differently. If your mood becomes very low or you feel you might hurt yourself it's perfectly fine to go to a+e or urgent care to get seen.

I had a bad reaction to duloxetine so I had my meds changed to amitripiline me I've been stable on them since February.

I know the side effects can be horrendous but it really is worth persevering with trying to find the right one if it will help you in the long run

[pugsake]

If celexa is citalopram (i don't know the brand names) there is a new drug out called escitalopram.

The side effects are supposed to be a lot less severe and they work quicker according to my last psychiatrist. I was due to be put on then till I fell pregnant.

Again I'm just pointing out I'm a patient not a doctor. Always best to ask a proper doctors opinion.

[Kanye1970]

Thank you pug sake ..bottom line is have to find a doctor !! Thanx again 💐

[Kanye1970]

EBearhug thanx for the response I've tried day, night I accomplish nothing ,which depresses me more..and the headaches really suck ..idk I knew it was to good to be true I even waited the 3 wks of hell lol..idk lost right now :(

[pugsake]

I've been there Kanye. I remember being absolutely hysterical getting my tablets changed cos I knew I'd have 3 weeks of feeling like shite.

You'll feel like a new person when you get the right combination sorted honest

[Mari33]

Taking citalopram in the morning , I feel better after a few hours but when it gets to 2 am I wake up in my sleep with anxiety and really bad side effects
Did anyone else feel like this