Citalopram 20mg

[Karrierbag]

I took this for about 18 months a year or two ago and found it fantastic.. However, my mother who has been taking triptafen has just been switched to Citalopram because Trip been taken off the market has had horrendous side effects from it. She's only taken two of them but they've caused anxiety, sleeplessness, nausea, shaking and the feeling that her throat is closing. Very scary and she refuses to take anymore, can't say I blame her really. Has anyone else experienced this? And if so, what did you do? Am thinking she needs to try different medication but definately need to speak to her doctor. Many thanks
xx

Hi, I'm on Citalopram, 20mg as well. Have been up to 40mg and down to 10mg in the past. I definitely experienced what you describe when I first went on them, when I came off them and when I went back on. It's always worn off after about a week or so, two weeks the very first time I took them. It was a very odd feeling, like the muscles in my jaw were clamping my mouth shut. I didn't have sleeplessness but I had very very bizarre vivid dreams, not necessarily bad ones but extremely realistic. GP mentioned all of these and said to expect them as side effects at first.

So, in short, I think it's probably fairly normal with these tablets but if it is worrying her and she is not happy then definitely she should see her GP. Anti Ds are supposed to make you feel better not worse and they sound like they're not helping her.

Good luck

I am on 10mg Citalopram at the moment. My dosage was increased to 20mg at the start of December, and within a week I was having panic attacks, couldn't eat, sleep and was scared to leave the house. It was terrifying! The doctor said it was normal side effects and prescribed me a week's worth of diazapam to take along with it.

I stuck it out for nearly 4 weeks but still did not feel any better so I reduced my dose back down to 10mg. I have felt a bit better since then, however I still don't think this is the drug for me and plan to go back to the docs this week to discuss an alternative. Your mum should definitely do the same - some people just can't handle the higher dose.

I am on 20 mg citalapram at the mo, been on them for 6 months and doc has suggested after this packet I start trying to reduce them.

I am worried about coming off them as I experience bad shaking/ light headedness if I miss one or 2 at a time. I havent slept well for months and put it down to these, wake up at least 3 times a night. Never experienced the throat closing thing though.

sorry but dont know what to suggest, just wanted to share how they affect me.

Hi Karrier, I was started on citalopram but had terrible side effects like you describe: nausea, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, dry mouth, shaking, inability to sit still. The side effects were so bad for me I stopped them after 3 days.
I have since been put on mirtazapine which works in a different way and I've had no bad side effects at all.
I think it is a case of trying diff ADs until one that suits is found, unfortunately they affect everyone differently.

Thanks for your replies! Much appreciated Will get her to doctor asap and see what he suggests. Thanks again! xx