Citalopram tiredness

[Avelina]

Started taking 20mg Citalopram a week ago today. I’ve taken it in the past and it’s really helped, but I don’t remember ever feeling this rubbish at the start. I know side effects are normal for a while, but I am absolutely exhausted. I can’t stop yawning and I can hardly keep my eyes open, my body feels heavy and tired, and I’ve been having to have naps to feel better. I’ve been sleeping fine at night, but I’m not sure I can cope with this extreme tiredness during the day. Anyone experienced similar and found anything to help get through it?

What time of day do you take it? I took it about 6pm and took 2wks off work the first time I went on it, so I could sleep.

Once I'd got used to it and was back at work I took it at bedtime and had no more issues.

@RedCarsGoFaster I’ve been taking it in the morning as that’s what my gp suggested, but I’ve been wondering whether to switch to taking it before bed and see if that makes a difference

I think time off work would probably help, but I haven’t been here long enough yet to accrue much holiday and don’t want to go off sick if I can avoid it

I was told to take it at night initially. When the tiredness reduces switch to taking it in the morning.

I was also advised to take it in the evening due to the likely drowsiness. Maybe switch it around tonight? I took it early evening so I had early nights (but I had no kids etc so could suit myself).

Definitely take it at night and hang on in there - it lasted for about 10 days for me then miraculously lifted.

Also agree with this. When I took it in the morning I was falling asleep at my desk mid afternoon. Taking it in the evening meant I was already asleep when the peak drowsiness hit.

Thanks everyone! Have already taken todays this morning, about 9am. Will it be alright to leave it longer and take tomorrows in the evening before bed? I know it advises to always take them at the same time

I started them 3 weeks ago. The first week o was an absolute zombie, I was beyond tired. It lasted maybe a week and a half and now I feel normal again.