Citalopram 20mg

[Survivingchange]

Hi all,
This is my first post, having read alot of posts about similar things I thought I would add one and find out other's experiences.
I've recently been prescribed Citalopram after a stressful period and subsequent anxiety and depression. I started off on 5mgs for a couple of days, then 10mg for a week and now on day 3 of 20mgs. Side effects are lot worse! I seem to have a period of feeling spaced out and anxious approx. 3 hours after taking the pill in the morning. Its a horrible feeling! Just wondered if anyone else has experienced this after an incresed dose and how long it lasted for??! My mornings are so diffucult atm!x

Hi @Survivingchange, I'm on the same dose as you (having started off on 10) and I don't seem to have had any side effects at all like the ones you describe. I'd talk to your doctor again, he or she will be able to either reassure you that they'll subside in time or try you on something else. Hope you feel better soon - anxiety is a right wanker, isn't it?

Thank you your reply. I think I will see how it goes over the next couple of days and then get an appointment to see the Dr if it carries on. It kind of feels like i'm 'coming up' on the tablets a few hours after taking it. The symptoms then ease off after a couple of hours. I am quite sensitive to side effects (2 days on Sertraline nearly blew my head off). I just hope this doesnt last as I really want to try and stick with these. And yes....anxiety is indeed a Wanker!! Lol x

You could always try taking before bed? Side effects do ease off, given time. Mine did.

I was thinking about taking them before bed instead but worried that the anxiety would wake me up! I will consider that though if it carries on. How long did your side effects last for? I know its still early days for me so I'm hoping things improve soon x

Hi survivingchange. I also had Hideous side effects on sertraline so was changed to citalopram. I also started on 5mg and moved up to 7.5mg as I am sensitive to side effects. I wake a lot in the night (not a side effect, part of the initial problem) so I take it at about 5am so side effects hopefully wear off early. However this is hit and miss and I still have up and down days feeling anxious and spaced out. I'm now day 10 on 7.5mg.
The aim is I move up to 10mg by the end of this week.
Even with the side effects I am better than the 1st week where I was manic with anxiety/panic. I just have to keep telling myself that I will get better and I have to ride out the side effects. It worked before with me 7yrs ago after the birth of my DD so I have faith it will work again for both of us. Xx

Hi Foxtrot72, thank you for your reply and for letting me know that I'm not the only one to experience these sort of effects. I'm thinking that I should have done a week at 15mg to ease the change in gently. But guess I might as well perservere with it now. I hope your increase this week goes smoothly. I've also taken Citalopram a couple of times many years ago and it really helped both times but I dont remember the side effects being this bad. I really hope we both start feeling the benefits soon. Take care x

I know this is an old thread but wondered if @Foxtrot72 or @Survivingchange were still around to share their experience? I’m new to citalopram and after 8 weeks on 10mg I’ve upped to 20mg and all side effects have come back. I also get heightened anxiety which is really tough when I’m already so anxious