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Mental health

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Original poster

CITALOPRAM 20mg

44 replies

TJ1952 · 11/06/2012 11:18

hi there........I have been going through a really rough time lately and have been prescribed citalopram hydrobromide 20mg.............does anybody have any info on them please ie do they work, are there any side effects that might be hard to cope with, how long do they take to have some affects etc. Thanks a lot..................

OP posts:

brightermornings · 22/06/2012 12:22

About 4 weeks ago I'm only on 10mg. But I've been to the docs and my blood results are showing i'm b12 deficient so that could be the reason I'm feeling so bad!! I've had another blood test today to see if it's my diet or my body producing antibodies.

toffeefee · 22/06/2012 12:49

I agree with madmouse. I was told to reduce the dosage to half a tablet to start with for a week, then just take a quarter of a tablet for a week and then down to nothing. I was dizzy for a week or so, but nothing that I couldn't cope with as long as I took it easy.

Perhaps have another word with him as it seems strange to take a whole tablet every few days, I think that would have made me feel awful.

Emmagil · 12/10/2013 10:31

I have been taking them for 14 days, started on 10 and eased myself to 20mg. Been on them before and really worked but this time side effects been terrible.....insomnia, depression, sweating......any advice please....

smilerc · 23/10/2013 06:34

I was prescribed citalopram yesterday. I was told to start 10mg at night to avoid feeling too sick, then increase to 20mg after 4 days. I was prescribed them as although cbt is helping some of my depression the main thing I struggle with is lack of sleep. I took my first one last night and had the worst night sleep ever! Is this a side effect that will get better? I feel awful today and still feel sick. I have a full day at work ahead of me. Is it worth changing to taking in the morning as it obviously doesn't make me sleepy.

Sparklingbrook · 23/10/2013 06:55

Hi smiler. Definitely give it a try. My GP told me specifically not to take them at night so I have mine with breakfast.

You will probably have a few side effects that aren't great but if you persevere, it can make such a difference.

ExcuseTypos · 23/10/2013 14:33

I started on 20mgs last week. The dr also told me to take them in the morning, I felt very nauseous and a bit spaced out, but that only lasted for 2 days. I still feel a little 'dozy' but no nausea.

I'm taking them for anxiety and I feel a lot calmer after a week of taking them. Don't know if it's all in my head or if they are actually starting to work.

ExcuseTypos · 23/10/2013 14:34

Sorry meant to add, smilerc do persevere and I hope you got through today ok. X

smilerc · 23/10/2013 19:17

Thank you for your replies. I am seriously considering not taking my 2nd dose tonight but in the morning instead as the thought of another night like last night makes me feel even more sick. I have felt sick and a little dizzy all day but I get that when I am extremely tired anyway.

My only question is if I do this will it have any effect on me? The information leaflet makes such a big deal over missing a dose that I'm not sure what to do. I asked a pharmacist for advice but she wouldn't commit, just said talk to my doctor. I didn't get chance to call them and they were closed when I drove past on my way home.

I would like to hear others experience of changing when they took their dose as I am torn. Thanks.

ExcuseTypos · 23/10/2013 19:46

I honestly think you'll be fine to miss tonight and take it in the morning.

I have read that taking them at night can give some people an unsettled night, vivid dreams etc, everyone is different.

Also in the leaflet enclosed with the tablets, it does say if you miss a dose one day, not to worry, just to take the next one when it's due the following day. So I presume missing a day won't do any harm.

smilerc · 23/10/2013 19:53

Thank you, excuse. I think I have decided to miss tonight and take it in the morning instead. Even if it makes me a bit sleepy in the morning, I've felt very sleepy today so won't be worse than that!

ExcuseTypos · 23/10/2013 20:18

As I said I did feel a bit spaced out for a few days but it didn't really stop me doing anything and its already really helping with my anxiety.

I hope you sleep well tonight.

Sparklingbrook · 23/10/2013 20:25

It has really helped me with my anxiety too. I am almost brave.

Milkhell · 23/10/2013 20:25

I took one and had a scary experience including hallucinations. Won't take them again. Was told this was the heightened anxiety if the first two weeks.

Sorry if this is unhelpful but I was pressured into taking them, didn't want to take them, didn't believe they'd work for me, had many on MN saying that I should take them 'for the sake of my family'.

I do understand though that for some people they're a lifesaver.

Milkhell · 23/10/2013 20:25

in the

ExcuseTypos · 23/10/2013 20:48

Milkhell that is an extreme reaction. There are other ADs which work in different ways, so your dr may be able to prescribe something else.

But obviously if you're against taking them, there's no point really.

Milkhell · 24/10/2013 02:18

Yes it probably was an extreme reaction due to the fact that subconsciously I didn't want to take them and didn't believe they'd work.

It's a shame as I know a lot of people who say they've worked for them.

I hope they work for you OP. Like everyone has said if you can get through the first two weeks that's the test - and what happened to me was after just one tablet. You'd clearly already know if you were going to react in that way.

Up feeding baby so hence late night post!

Good luck OP.

Milkhell · 24/10/2013 02:19

Sorry for making it all about me there. Just wanted to tell you my experience with that particular tablet

MiaowTheCat · 24/10/2013 14:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DoubleDoubleTwigletTrouble · 24/10/2013 14:59

To those of you who are suffering with side effects, I took Citalopram for a year or so and had about a month of feeling dreadful - really sick every day. A few years later when I needed ADs again I tried fluoxetine (Prozac) instead and this was brilliant - no sickness whatsoever! Several members of my family have taken it too and they never feel sick or have any side effects either. So maybe talk to your GPs about trying a different AD instead. I've also had Sertraline and not had any effectys with that either, just on the horrid Citalopram.

FWIW, Citalopram/Sertraline are ADs which are more geared towards anxiety whilst fluoxetine has a bit more of a 'get up and go' thing to it.

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