Citalopram and sleep

[stillherenow]

I've been prescribed 20mg for anxiety . However I've previously tried propanol situationally (fear of flying) and had to give it up as it kept me fully awake at night even if I took it at 6am!

I've now read that citalopram can cause insomnia and having struggled with this all my adult life and finally now sleeping pretty well (by taking a nightly magnesium tablet !) I'm a bit concerned as I think lack of sleep would be worse than my anxiety.

Have also read you shouldn't eat cheese or chocolate on it ! (And alcohol but I rarely drink)

Wondered what peoples experiences were ? Especially if you're prone to insomnia ! Tia

I'm on low does of citalopram. I eat cheese and chocolate and I drink alcohol, all with no I'll effects. (I didn't see anything about not drinking in the leaflet that came with it).

I've always been a crap sleeper too but I can't say it's any worse since I've started taking it.

Beware of your anxiety talking you out of something that might help. It's been a life saver for me but, if it doesn't work for you, you can always come off it and try something else.

Good luck OP.

Thanks yes I'm conscious my anxiety is making me look for problems ! The GP gave me 20mg and said there was no point in 10mg, but I'm hoping they might be tablets so I can cut them in half. Probably worth a try - I can ride out most side effects but if they make me unable to sleep I'll have to bin them. With propanol it was fine the day after I took them so hopefully any insomnia would resolve quickly.

That's interesting. I just checked my prescription and I'm taking 1x10mg tablet a day. The GP says to try that and increase if necessary, but it worked well for me.

Definitely get the prescription and you may find they come as a 10mg tablet anyway. Maybe ask your GP of it's better to start at 10 and increase from there or start at 20 and drop down to 10 if your sleep is effected. But ultimately, it's your health and your decision.

And if you do have trouble sleeping, talk to your GP again. There are so many options these days.

You've got this.

I’ve been on them for years and find them quite sedating, to the point where I can’t take them in the morning. Got to be the evening.

have never heard the cheese and chocolate thing. What is supposed to be the problem with doing that? You’re not getting confused with old-style MAOI antidepressants which interact dangerously with certain foods?

I used to be on 20mg, took it before bed and it knocked me out every night. I had a lot of difficulty sleeping prior to taking it. The GP told me to take it at night time to avoid feeling sleepy in the day. Sounds like it can affect people differently though! No problem with and foods and never heard of this before

Hi I take 30mg and have done for about two years.

I have suffered for years with insomnia and ever since taken the tablets I sleep all night! I would say they actually make me more tired.

I eat chocolate but not cheese and don’t drink so can’t comment on the efforts of that.

Please give them a try. They saved my life.

Thank you ok I'm going to pick them up then start taking them the day after half term. I've got a week off and will take sick leave anyway the week after if I still feel like crap as some of this (I am told) is due to vicarious trauma from my work, and I've tried to tell my boss how I feel as he knows the incident which has triggered what I guess is a mini crisis and he's basically ignored me. I've been referred for high intensity cbt so will see if that helps a little as well. I just need a break from the constant thinking and worrying about work and life !!

You have a plan! That's great, well done @stillherenow

Please take as your doctor prescribed. 10mg isn't a therapeutic dose for most people.

DH is on 30mg, was on 40mg, and he sleeps very well. He also eats chocolate daily , cheese frequently, and drinks a bottle of wine every night.

@User3568975431146 I definitely will, would just like to build up to it for a week!
Fingers crossed then, thanks everyone for the encouragement and experiences

I’ve found others, especially Sertraline really affected my sleep.

I’m on citalopram now and my sleep is fine.

Ask your doctor to switch to mirtazapine. It's also a anti depressant but its very known for its drowsy effects. It's without a doubt more useful when you first start taking it as your body isnt used to it. Only take it before bed though, do not take it when you wake up and never drive on it!!

A bottle of wine every night?! What’s the point in taking citalopram if you’re going to do that?

I've picked up the 20mg and have ordered a pill cutter so I can just take 10mg for the first week to mitigate side effects . Hope this works for me as I'm having a hell of a week!

Not mitigate, minimise !

Good luck OP