Worried about starting something new to treat the worry!! I have recently been diagonosed with depression and anxiety and was given Citalopram 20mg to treat these. I have to admit, I am hesitant to take anything of this sort, but I am @ my wits end looking for some type of resolution.
Citalopram - how long does it take to notice a difference and are there any long term side effects?
- Posted:
- 2 Feb 2012 by Anonymous!
- Topics:
- depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, citalopram
Details:
Answers (5)
pledge2 Feb 2012
Hello Anonymous. Citalopram the non generic is Celexa came on the market in the United States back in 1989. To ease your fears, its generally a drug that has its share of side effects but as prescribed (my own point of view), it has a fairly high rate for helping depression. Anxiety, my opinion it doesn't really work that well, but again depending on the level of your feeling anxious, it can and it does fairly well. In clinical studies, some of the more common and normal side effects were Diarrhea, close to 8%. Insomnia close to 15%, Drowsiness almost 18%. I can add to the list but please remember that the numbers as I just gave are low. And it doesn't mean that you will for example have Insomnia. Most all the side effects of psychiatric drugs are very similiar from one to another. Weight gain, or loss, feeling fatiqued, stomach aches, etc are usually always found in a sat SNRI or SSRI. You'll feel the drug, Citalopram working theraputically between week 4 or 5.
Delila3 Feb 2012
Hi, Pledge has already told you all you need to know, but i just wanted to add my history with citalopram/celexa... I have been taking it for about 3 years(?) and find it really good. I was first started on 20mg, like you. I was told to expect to wait about 4 weeks until i noticed a difference. It is very common with this anti-depressant that you can feel worse before you feel better, so be prepared for this. If you are feeling very depressed please talk to your doctor, even if it is before the 4 week mark. I was still feeling very upset and tearful by 3 weeks so my doctor took the decision to increase my dose to 40mg, and within a week i felt so much better! I am now on 60mg (along side other mood stabilisers) and i haven't ever had any side effects, except maybe some weight gain? Although this could also be due to other med's? I hope you get some relief from it, don't be scared of it. If it isn't for you then no harm done, and you might need to try an alternative.
CrummyVer...9 Feb 2012
60mg... I thought I read somewhere that 40mg should be the maximum dosage. For what it's worth: I was on 60mg of Paxil and began having auditory hallucinations, i.e. a machine-like noise. Fortunately the noise went away when I gave it my mindful attention. But more fortunately, of course, I went back down to 40mg.
Aud119 Feb 2012
Hi, just to endorse what both Pledge and Delilah said, give it time to work and if you experience anything adverse contact your doctor. Every medication works in different ways for different folks hence why we sometimes have to try many to find the right one. Like Delilah I am now back on 60mg (starting at 20mg/40mg etc) after an unsuccessful trial with Setraline/Zoloft. In response to Crum 60mg is the highest dosage providing patients on this dosage get regular ECG which is the proviso I am returning to it. It will not help any anxiety issues though. Good luck let us know how it works for you. I had no side effects whatsoever.
Aud1
29 Apr 2012
Hi Gracey
It usually takes at least four weeks for the anti-depressant to kick in. See how you feel in the next week and then contact your doctor and discuss. You may need to be increased to 20mg but again talk to your doctor I have been on citalopram for the past 10 years, at 20, 40 and latterly 60mg.
I was interested to read your comment that it works for your sons anxiety however all medications work differently for everyone and right now my meds need reviewing as even on 60mg I get high levels of anxiety! Take care and do keep us posted.
Blessings, Aud
Graceyc
29 Apr 2012
It works for his anxiety unless he's under alot of pressure, then he has to take a sedative.
I'm just an impatient person with regards to meds. I had nothing but adverse side effects from cipralax after 2 1/2 months. That was an awful drug for me. He now has me on celexa experiencing nausea, crying spells 24 days in. I do know it can work, as but for the depression making me think about it continually, it has calmed the ruminating.
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