Citalopram side effects

[Cr20]

I started citalopram because I was having really bad anxiety and panic attacks , I would feel restless all day and just sense of offness and impending doom. I’ve also been diagnosed with gastritis so the doctor says that can be gut brain and it’s a constant bad cycle if your anxious it plays with your stomach and if your stomach plays up it makes you anxious. It got to the point that I was scared to be alone when I have 3 children and my partner works away. I have really bad derealisation it’s really scary and start panicking and thinking the worst.

I started citalopram exactly 16 days ago and I’m feeling much worse as the days go on.

ive got constant headaches
my eyesight is blurry and I get dizzy
I’m wakening up during the night but also feel like my days drag , so 5 mins feel like half an hour
the back of my head where the base of my skull and neck join has constantly throbbed even before starting citalopram but doctors said it was muscular.
I have 0 energy and jus feel weak all day
my bones have been aching for days now and not sure if it’s a side effect or I’ve picked something up but don’t have a fever.

please let me know your side effects so I don’t feel like I’m going crazy 🫣

I would give it another week and if no better talk to the dr about changing. There are so many types of antidepressants. What works for one doesn't for another. I didn't get on with citalopram but I know others who have its very trial and error.

I’ve been on citalopram before so I asked the doctor for that one as I knew it worked really well for me the last time. My partner works off shore so it’s really has starting a new one when I won’t have that physical support at home to deal and manage side effects , I’m going to give it another week I think and then speak to the doctor @youalright

I assume you've had some bloods done to check iron, ferritin, thyroid, b12 etc

Yes everything’s came back normal @youalright

That's annoying that would of been an easier fix. Im currently on escitalopram and its worked brilliant for me been on it about 10 years but everyone is different. I hope you find the one that works for you

I know I was so hoping they would have found something, my partner has been away most of the year then we went on holiday and I think I just crashed and burnt from having my the 3 kids and because I was running on adrenaline and I stopped I think I just crashed and I’ve not been the same for 5/6 weeks now. Im praying I get some sort of energy back to deal with the kids when he goes back @youalright

Hi. I am on day 3 of citalopram and feel awful also. I’m taking mine for anxiety and low mood. I also have health anxiety so I cut the tablet in half to take 5mg first and then increased it last night. I woke up last night with the most crazy heart racing, it actually woke me up. This was then followed by the sweats. All day I’ve had a headache, nausea, anxiety and low mood. I’m going to try my best to persevere as nearly everything I’ve read says it improved after 2/3 weeks. Best of luck

@Sophiey11 oh no 😣 the first few days are horrendous but try stick to it , don’t think this time of year helps either with all the other viruses going about 🫣 I also have health anxiety and trying not to think the worst but unfortunately when you have health anxiety it’s hard not to. Please keep me posted how your keeping ❤️

Were you on citalopram for the same thing last time? I took it many moons ago briefly for depression and it was fine for that - didn't last long on it due to the side effects though. However your side effects sound like they are possibly something else as well so maybe there is a virus mixed in there.

I found Sertraline better for anxiety and also someone close to me takes it for heath anxiety so it might be a better option if the side effects don't ease.

Keep with it cit can take 8 weeks to fully reach its therapeutic dose what ur feeling is normal side effects I’ve just recently started back on them after been off them for a year I could kick my self for stopping them I’m sensative to meds so I started on 2.5mg for a week and now on 5mg yes I’ve had side effects even on a low dose head aches dry mouth feeling sick hightened anxiety restlessness it’s all normal and will pass my advice drink plenty of water cut down the caffeine and get ur self out for a walk round the block and rest loss of appetite is another one so I get protein shakes yogurts and soups in. I’m wanting to increase to 10mg but I’m also worried over the side effects increasing but no pain no gain x

How u getting on

@Kellbell14 hi there , I had my partner home for 4 weeks , he normally works away off shore but I really struggled mentally and health wise my gastritis was really bad and was sick constantly so he taken time off which really helped me rest and with the kids and even getting out in the car and just someone else to talk to. I have massive health anxiety and now he’s away almost a week now I just constantly have these thoughts in the back of my head for example I’ve got pericoronitis just now (gum infection) and straight away I’m scared like what if the antibiotics don’t work what if I’m feeling crappy of something else that’s not been diagnosed or even so something happens to me and my kids are at home.
i have been a lot better than I was but think I’m going to increase as 10mg isn’t a lot and I’ve been on them for 5 weeks now

Yes they say 20 is the therapeutic dose I started on a very low dose of 2.5mg for a week n half then 5mg for a week then 10mg for 2 week and I’ve just taken my 1st 15mg this evening hoping the side effects don’t increase I did it this way as the last time I started these 8 years ago dr put me straight on 20 and it absolutely knocked me out for weeks very bad side effects but they did work brilliantly silly me decided at the end of 2024 I didn’t need them any more I went a full year without them did fine and then Oct 2025 bang it all came back I tried to cope without them untill after Xmas but then decided I needed to go back on them and most probably will be on them for a very long time I see it as if I had another illness I’d need to take medication for I’d take it so why not this to help my mind I have had side effects this time but no where near as bad as the first time I just can’t wait for that relief altho I have some days where I’ve felt good then days of feeling crap again

I have been on 5mg for 4 weeks now and think I probably need to increase. My side effects haven’t calmed down but my anxiety just isn’t getting better. I’m not sure if I need to persevere longer or increase the dose.

I’d increase to 10mg and stay there for at least 4 weeks u might get side effects again tho I’ve been on 10mg for 2 weeks and had a phone call today with the dr about increasing she said to stay at 10mg for now and give it another 2-3 weeks x

Thanks for the advice @Kellbell14
i have been sent home from work today due to a panic attack and non stop crying. So as it’s week 4 of my tablets I think it’s safe to say I need to increase to the full 10mg

Take a week or of work let them do there thing without u adding more stress to ur self at work im week 3 in to 10mg and my side effects these past couple of days have been quite intense which is normal at this stage it’s awful not going to lie but it will settle

Has anyone upped their citalopram ? And what were your side effects ? I increased mines to 20mg on Thursday as my mood were so low and crying constantly and now my anxiety is back through the roof 😭 I’m also on antibiotics so I find sometimes antibiotics can cause anxiety

Anti biotics can interfere with them I found that out the first time I was on them but it will pass also yes everytime u increase cit side effects can come back for a few days to a week as ur adding more serotonin that ur body needs to get used to I increased to 10mg 3 week ago and got side effects I had to start low at 5mg as I’m sensative to the side effects … just tell ur self theses are just side effects and will subside I know it’s hard I’m still having some side effects now altho these past 2 days av been my best yet stick with it each increase needs 4 weeks to level out

I have increased from 5mg to 10mg 5 days ago. So far today I have a headache, and seem to have blocked sinuses also nausea. I’m trying to persevere

All normal keep going don’t just stop taking them as u can get withdrawals keep on the 5mg at least a week or 2 the increase again to 10

It took me longer than I expected to feel the benefits of citalopram. It made me more depressed before it got better. I did find that 20mg wasn’t enough for me though and had to have 40mg. However since that, they have been life changing for me.