Citalopram 10mg help

[Sophiey11]

Hi all. I was on 5mg Citalopram for 4 weeks and felt no real change, so I was increased to 10mg. I’ve now been on the 10 for 4 weeks and 4 days. My anxiety is awful and I’ve had panic attacks. This started around week 3. I have also just had a period so not sure if it’s related to that. I’m looking for some real hope that things would improve. I thought by week 4-5 I would have started seeing some improvement. Tia

It’s a small amount so hopefully the 10 will work better for you.

Could you ask for 20mg if you’re not improving with panic etc?

I would also suggest increasing to 20mg. I was originally on 30mg which is not a huge dose and was on that for many years. Now (after big life changes) cut back to 10mg which is keeping me stable.

Thanks for your messages. Yes I was thinking maybe I need to increase to 20mg. Just wasn’t sure how long to give the 10mg a chance for

I’ve been on 40 for years, unlikely to ever reduce. I would be seeking increase over the next few days until you see an improvement.

@pteromum wow I’ve been on 20mg for 10 years and the doctor has cut it down to 10mg despite me saying no. I was raging with her. OP I’d definitely increase to 20mg to start off with, you’ll definitely see a difference in a couple of weeks.

oh that’s hard. Mine was like I’m keeping you here forever. End of.

I agree with other posters that you need to increase to 20mg. My psychiatrist told me that 20mg is the minimum therapeutic dose so I’m surprised that you were started so low.

I’m surprised you were started so low too OP. 20 mg is the usual dose, so start on 10 for a week then increase. You should see improvement after a month or so on 20mg, then GP reviews/monitors.

Are you sure it’s Citalopram and not Escitalopram? 10mg Escitalopram = 20mg Citalopram.

Its really helped me, I haven't had panic attacks or feeling of anxiety for years. Definitely ask to be put on 20mg.

Hmm, it could be related to your cycle. You could ask them for a scan just in case

Op how u getting on now? I’ve been on 10mg for 9 week and still having side effects I want to increase to 15 or 20 but scared the side effects will increase or the ones that have gone will come back I was also on this cit 20mg in 2017 to 2024 and I felt great and came of it thinking I was well forward to Oct 2025 and bang it all came back don’t get me wrong I’ve had a some good days but still feel room for improvement also when it’s my time of the month I also drop too as ur serotonin declines around this time so ur brain is fighting for the extra from the cit causing a decrease in serotonin making me feel more anxious since ive started the meds again but this will lesson over time when I finally have the b@lls to increase can any one give me some advice about doubling up to 20mg

Hi @Kellbell14 last week I increased to 15mg. Although I’ve seen some slight improvement I am still struggling massively with my anxiety. Today particularly I’ve woken up with racing heart and sweating. Although haven’t noticed any side effects from increasing the dosage on both occasions from 5 > 10 and 10 > 15 and I am very sensitive to medication. Doctors are also suggesting I may have PMDD as like yourself around time of the month my anxiety is horrendous, there have also been times where I’ve had suicidal thoughts a few days before my period. Maybe this is something you should look into. X

Sorry you’re going through this . It’s awful isninut?
i watched a video on progesterone and anxiety/pmdd and it was saying micronised progesterone can really help in the literal period for some as it can relax yiu.
It didn’t help with my anxiety but for many, many women it does!

Hi from my experience the cit can loose its effectiveness around the time of the month due to hormone fluctuations this has only happened to me since re starting cit especially at a low dose the side effects ur getting are just that side effects as everytime u increase u can experience them a gain altho they shouldn’t last as long im the same on a morning too but when i get up and start moving around it tends to fade n by the afternoon I feel fine im also on 15mg increased 2 days ago n ive noticed on a morning im a bit wobbly keep going tho cos it does work i felt great when i was on it a few years ago its takes time like months