Citalopram - experience please

[Cindi85]

I have been on 10mg a day for 2 weeks and think I might be starting to see an effect. My GP said it takes 4 weeks to take effect, so I'm wondering whether I am just having a good day. Did anyone else feel an effect this early and with such a low dose?

Bump

I was on Citalopram years ago, for quite some time. The usual starting dose is 10mg, and yes, you can begin to feel better quite quickly. I assume you've got to see or speak to your GP again soon? Doctors often increase the dose to 20mg, and keep a person on that strength. (a friend of mine was on 60mg)

Best of luck.

Mine took 3 months to take effect including upping the dosage gradually. For me, they were (and remain) a life saver.

10mg didn't do much for me after a few weeks so I went up to 20mg and that definitely helped me with anxiety and panic. It didn't cure the symptoms but it made me feel stronger, more levelled out and equipped to deal with and rationalise the anxiety.

The only side effect I experienced was dizziness in the first few weeks and then not being able to ahem, climax during sex for the whole time I was taking it. Apparently it's a very common side effect.

It can take up to six weeks - but it can also take as little as a few days, you maybe one of the lucky ones 🤞10 mgs is a very low dose though - geriatric dose.Did they start so low to minimise the initial side effects. Anyway, you are in a good situation, great if you feel better on 10, but also room to increase if you need to. Hope you feel a lot better soon. 😊

I had to go up to 40mg for it to really start to work for me. I'm down to 30mg now but would like to reduce to 20mg as long as it continues to work- they make me really sleepy.

I had to take it a couple of years ago when I was being bullied by a former manager at work. I started off on the 10mg dose and ended up going to 30mg. I think it did help. My husband tells me I was very distant detached and not my normal self when I was on it though. I honestly don’t think I would have coped without it though. After I moved to another job I was able to come off it without issue.

I'm very sensitive to any medication... ibuprofen makes me drowsy. I noticed a difference after about 2 to 3 weeks then for a week or 2 I felt like it was too strong but that settled down. I didn't need to up the dose. I was on it for about 6 months.

I've been on citalopram since a medical diagnosis nearly 10 years ago sent me into panic mode. I started with 10mg which made a difference quite quickly. The doctor increased to 20mg later in the treatment - just in case and I only needed 15mg a day for quite a short period. In the end, I came back down to 10mg which continued until I had problems in lockdown. I'm now finding 15 mg a day is about right. Anymore and I get very foggy and feel unwell.

It's made a huge difference to me. I've always been anxious but prior to my diagnosis I was more or less told to buckle up. This helps me cope.

Good luck OP.

@teaandtoast39 I am also failing to climax as well. Started on 10mg about 5 weeks ago. 18 years ago I was on another SRRI and had the same issue. Issue was resolved when Dr said to take every other day - was 20mg

I do think I am more 'stable' - am taking it for anxiety. Have felt a bit more anxious this week though due to various things. One friend thinks I am calmer but DH doesn't!

Thanks so much everyone.

Yes, I will be speaking to GP in a week or so as she only gave me 4 weeks supply.

I will remain open minded but today has made me feel very optimistic that it might be the answer. I have been unwell for so long now, I sort of felt myself today.

I am on 10mg citalopram and it made a difference in 2 weeks too. Still on it 18months later at that dose and it's working for me. Good luck!

It was life-changing for me. Felt a bit better after 3 weeks. Needed 20mg after a few months and I've stayed on that.

Hi @Cindi85 and @HairyScaryMonster, I’m 8 weeks on 10mg and had been feeling an improvement but this week I’ve felt horrible anxious again. Did either of you have to increase your dose and if so, did side effects return?

Yes the timing sounds about right - it's life changing!

@AnxiousMess21 do you mean timing is about right to increase? Or maybe you were replying to another comment? Any experience with citalopram appreciated, I’m really struggling just now

Sorry @GoRicky That was meant for the OP - it takes about 2 weeks to kick in for me.

10mg is a very low dose - I would definitely be looking to increase if you're still struggling. 20mg made all the difference for me.

Thanks @AnxiousMess21, I started low as I had some bad side effects and so I’m nervous to go up incase these reoccur but I think I need a higher dose to combat the anxiety.

Do you have any experience upping your dose? Or did you start at 20 and been able to remain there? TIA

I've been on Citalopram for 3 years now. I know they help with my suicidal thoughts as I can slump into a dark place if I miss a few days. Unfortunately though this seems to be all they do as my depressive symptoms have not improved even since my daily dose was doubled to 40mg. I still feel so low but as I dont daily want to kill myself I have to accept that as a fantastic sucess as I truly do not want to die

Life-changing for me - was initially on 20mg but now down to 10 which works just as well. Been on them for most of the last 6 years - tried to come off a few times but always ended up having to go back on them after a few months.