Side effects of Citalopram?

[Karenblixen]

Hi - I have a lot going on ATM and I am getting increasingly frazzled and having panic attacks. My GP prescribed Citalopram 10mg. I have never taken anything stronger than a Paracetamol and I have had the Citalopram in the cupboard for a couple of weeks now, undecided whether or not to take them. Today I finally decided to start taking them. Now waiting for side effects .

Has anyone been prescribed this, has it helped, have you become addicted? I am terribly nervous about this and I really need my wits about me at this time.

My husband takes this. He was very sleepy for the first week or so until he got used to them. He's been on them for 3 years now, with no other effects that I know of, though he does seem to sleep a bit more than he did and does toss and turn at night more.

Hi there, the only side effects I have had from taking citalopram has been feeling slightly spaced out on occasion during the first few days. I take 30mg daily and I've found it life-changing. When it comes to stopping, your doctor will probably have you wean off gradually by alternating days, then missing days. 10mg is a starter dose and is very low, so whilst I'm not a doctor I wouldn't worry too much about dependency. HTH.

I was on 20mg, the first day was a bit spacey . I had very vivid dreams, but I do have vivid dreams anyway, these were like films.
Low sex drive, harder to reach an orgasm.

Saved my life though, I would neve gave coped without it.

Thank you Effijay I thought I felt quite tired too and spaced out Mummykindnessrachel; I really need to take an antihistamine but daren't because that will make me even more tired.

My GP did say that this was a low dose and I should be fine.

Has it really helped to cope with stress and anxiety? I am taking it as I felt I was going over the edge and close to a nervous breakdown.

Short term side effects : itchy skin and sweating. Longer term : I slept a lot more. Put on weight. Felt less intense feelings, positive and negative. couldn't climax

Yes 10 mg is a low dose. I have been on 10 and 20. though currently not taking it and fine at the moment. FElt no side effects when came off it but doctors always say see them when you want to come off it so as to do it in a controlled way.

I used to take 60mg daily for.2 years at my lowest with pnd. At that high dose the worst side effect I had was tiredness and sort of foggy headedness. At 10mg you shouldn't really have any significant side effects. Talk to your gp if you do.

I've just started back on them today. This time at 10mg and 8 years later. They really helped me before.

Yes it does help with anxiety. If it hasn't helped within the time the doctor advised, go back for advice. The undesirable side effects don't really matter for now if you feel close to breaking point and need help.

Thank you all.

KB02 is the weight gain due to increased appetite or due to Citalopram affecting your metabolism. (Weight gain would really upset me).

Not so sure: I apparently asked DS three times if he still wanted the TV earlier. He politely pointed that out to me, looking confused.

Still undecided whether to carry on with it.

I've been on it for many years. Give it a good go. Don't blame every symptom on it. Remember that a lot of medicine is about balancing pros and cons. The pros of taking it far outweigh the cons for me. However you cannot make that assessment this early on.

Thank you Clearwater, I woke up with a splitting headache this morning. I am still undecided, but will try not to blame every little thing on it.

I second what hope said. weigh up what you need to function/survive right now and deal with the rest later. It seemed to make me want to eat more carbs, cakes biscuits etc, so maybe could be controlled with good willpower (unlike me).

I have no willpower when it comes to carbs KB02 .

For now I have decided to stop taking it, it was just knocking me out and really affecting my ability to concentrate and that 's what I need the most ATM.

Thank you all.