Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Flip

Original poster

Best time to take citalopram

5 replies

Namefordecember · 08/12/2017 07:45

Is it best to take citalopram in the morning or evening.I take it around 5pm but sometimes can't sleep.
I tried it at 9 am for a week,felt more energetic and positive but then stated sleeping in afternoon.
I get sleepy in mornings when I take it at 5 pm though.
I am on 20 mg.And have been taking it for a few years.
Thanks for reading.

OP posts:

EBearhug · 08/12/2017 07:48

I used to take it in the morning, which I think was what my GP advised.

IJoinedJustToPostThis · 08/12/2017 07:51

I guess it depends how it affects you. It used to make me feel groggy so I took it in the evening, slept through the worst of the grogginess and was as alert as I could be during the day (crazy dreams through).

If you've been taking it for a few years and still having trouble with the side effects then you could consider asking to try a different one.

Original poster

Namefordecember · 08/12/2017 10:12

I have asked to change in the past but was told tiredness and other things were symptoms of depression,not side effects.
I wonder if taking it midday would help?or should it be morning or evening?

OP posts:

IJoinedJustToPostThis · 08/12/2017 12:22

I feel a bit at whoever gave you that advice. Yes, lethargy is a symptom of depression, but it is also the first-listed common side effect of citalopram.

Go back to your medical practitioner and have a discussion about this. Make a list before go of how you are feeling and the impact it is having on your life, e.g. "tiredness - can't socialise / keep house very clean" type of thing. Ask about different medications, if that is something that might want to try, or other (non-drug) treatments that have become more available in the last few years, that might not have been funded when you first started the meds.

Good luck.

asheroo92 · 10/12/2017 04:15

I'm on 40mg of citalopram. Used to take it before bed along with propranolol but 1, I had trouble sleeping and 2, I was feeling anxious during the day.

I now take both in the morning and only have trouble sleeping when I'm feeling depressed. If I'm feeling okay, I can usually sleep for about 6 hours without waking up! Which is impressive for me because I used to wake up 3-4 times a night.

Try taking it in the morning or at night and seeing if that helps!

Flip