Citalopram

[whydontkidscomewithauserguide]

Morning I have been prescribed citalopram for anxiety and have been taking 10mg for a week now, due to increase to 20mg from today as per.doctors.orders. Has anyone experienced this drug before? When did the side effects ease off?.Thanks in advance xx

Side effects for me were nausea and a bit of dizziness, so I took mine at bedtime. That way I was sleeping when the side effects hit.
Took a good 6 weeks to work for me, but felt much better when they did.
Was only on them for about 18 months, got me out of a deep dark hole.
Worked well.

Hang on in there. Assuming it's the right one for you then it was about ten days for me. I remember calling my friend who had recommended it after a week crying down the phone and saying
' I thought you said this would make me feel better not worse!'

She told me to hang on in there and it passed within a few days. I was on it for about 3 years and it really took the edge off things and helped me cope with the more tricky and stressful things in life as they inevitably happened. Would have no problem going on it again. I know not every pill is right for everyone though so I would def see upper doctor if things aren't right by end of week 2. I never went up to 20 so I'm not sure about the timing and whether it's the right tome to still go ahead with that. Hopefully someone else can offer their experiences - if not see if you can have a chat with the nurse at your GP.

Op, I’m am in exactly the same position as you. Was prescribed 10mg of Citalopram yesterday (got to pick up prescription today). After two weeks I’m to see her again for review to up it to 20mg. My anxiety has been so bad this year. I’m really anxious about taking it as I have IBS too and worried it’ll upset my already upset digestive system.

Forgot to ask if you've had any negative side effects from the 10mg?

I take mine right before bed so, like pp, I don’t experience side effects. It has been a life changer, but I know some drugs suit people differently to others. It took a few weeks for it to really take effect. It wasn’t an instant bam ‘I feel so much better’ but it was little things like waking up in the morning and wanting to get up

I found the side effects (nausea and exhaustion) to wear off by about two weeks after starting or dose increasing, but I felt the positive effects begin to kick in within the first ten days I think.

Same here, started taking 10mg Tuesday before bed. Feel a bit nauseous and slight dizziness, but I had flu jab Tuesday too. I hate having to take them but have not been able to manage my depression by the usual means. So good to hear of people's experiences with this

Side effects tend to wear off at 3 months when your brains chemicals even out.

On 10mg and finding them helpful. Just crazy dreams for first few nights. No other side effects. I have gained a few pounds but that could now likely be Lock down overeating. I feel I could benefit from going up to 20mg but am reluctant. Mainly because of thinking ahead to eventually coming off them.
I was also prescribed propranolol which I just took for a month or so until I felt the Citalopram was working more effectively.
Good luck.

Hi nausea and a bit of dizziness, plus a bit of a spaced out feeling a couple of days. I didn’t notice anything the first 3 days and felt amazing!! Then the side effects hit and I started feeling a bit yak. I’m hoping they tail off a bit now though. I did wonder whether I should take them at night but doctor advised to take them on a morning?

In exactly the same place. Been on 10mg for a couple of weeks. The first day I was so happy to wake up and feel something other than dreary, I felt a spark of joy. I also find I wake up and can get up. I take it at night. I notice I am a bit teary before bedtime before I take it. I have a lot of stress going on and it has not stopped the negative thoughts entirely. It almost makes them more solid though rather than a mood so I can to an extent recognise them and let them go. Wondered if 20mg will stop me crying/help more with focus/mood. I have a review with the doctor in a few weeks.

How are you feeling now Beaver? I’m on day ten today I think...... still feeling a bit odd x

Hey you lovely lot
Day 5 here. My sleeping is poor, so am taking it in the mornings from this morning. I think nausea and headache has been the main thing for me. I already feel a bit more upbeat too, at times, at other times my mood feels worse. I feel ok, still feel like 'myself'. Am taking 10mg, due to speak to the gp a week Thursday. She recommended 20mg after the first week, but I'll see how it goes.
Thanks for starting this thread

I’ve been prescribed it too, for depression, starting at 20mg. I’ve had the tablets for 4 days but not taken them yet. I’m so scared of the side effects and keep thinking things aren’t that bad that I need these, surely I can just muddle through??

Also, my GP told me to take it at night but my sleeping is so bad right now that I think the morning would be better?

Worth giving them a go Midnight I know what you mean, I ummed and ahhed for months. But, I'm glad to be on them, but I know it will take ages to get used to them
my mood was getting worse all the best

I've been on 20mg for 2 years. I didn't want to take them but they have literally saved my life.

No side effects here but even if there were, I think I would still take them. I feel better than I have for years

I used to take 10mg then 20mg. I had a few weeks of feeling sick, dizzy and spacey, but they really worked for me. I've been off them for 5 years now

As long as you're only experiencing the common side effects, persevere. I was on 40mg a day for 18 months, along with beta blockers. It really did help me. I hope it helps you too

Thanks hoochy, I’m feeling a bit more comfortable with taking them after reading all these posts. Overall seems positive, so will start tomorrow! Did you switch to taking them at night whydon’t?

I think my crying is to do with stuff going on. Or maybe stuff going on has distracted me from the crying. Or maybe I am feeling confusion and disconnect as a result of the meds. Or maybe my brain was working wrong and now its working better now.

All I know is that I am not feeling so like crying now, so it passed. My mood has picked up due to doing exercise. I am going to stick with 10mg. To be honest I have other problems as I have to start a drug for a health condition I have this week. The ADs are keeping me sane(r) and not staying depressed that is all I know!

I’m on day 11 now and it’s the first time for about a week that I’ve not woken up with butterflies. Fingers crossed I’ve turned a corner! I have had little glimmers of feeling great, then feeling rubbish as in sick, anxious, tears etc. Hopefully it’s a sign that it’s working and the bad parts will start to reduce? I’m due to increase to 20mg from Weds x

A couple of weeks ago I was prescribed 50mg of sertraline and took them for two days the third day I took a half tablet but could cope with side effects.Spoke to a NHS 111 doctor and he changed me to Citalopram 10mg and again I am afraid the side effects got to much so I phoned the surgery and spoke to the doctor and explained the problem and asked if I could stop taking them as I had only taken two tablets so she said yes.My last tablet was last Tuesday the 6th.I have been fine since apart from this morning when I had a few shivers.Does anyone know how long the withdrawal symptoms if any will last.Thanks

I take 40mg now. I take it for anxiety and depression. The first week for me is rough, sweats, nausea and headaches. Once things settle I feel much better. I've been taking it since March. Hang in there, it gets better.

So I didn’t start them today. Decided to go and visit my daughter at uni and wasn’t wanting to be feeling rough for that, and the long car journey. Still undecided to take them in the morning or at night. Those of you who take them in the morning, can you drive after taking them those first few days? Sounds positive for you, whydont, hopefully this is the start of better times for you