I have been on Celexa for about 2.5 months, and have been experiencing really bothersome tremor and muscle jerks/tics since then. It is really intolerable at times. I have had to decrease to about 5mg, which appears to still be effective, but the shaking persists. I have been on Celexa many times in the past (the most recent stint I was taking 40mg for about 3 years), and have never experienced shaking like this. The only change is that I am 4 months postpartum with my first child. Anyone else experience shaking on Celexa?
Muscle jerking/twitching/tremor on Celexa?
Question posted by kdvirginia on 28 Nov 2016
Last updated on 9 December 2021
Answers
emcdonjo
24 Oct 2019
Yes, I have experienced muscle twitching involuntarily jerking movements. I get kind of scared b/c it mimick a seizure. I take 20mg of citalopram daily. I wish I could change med, but all meds have some kind of side effects
Leadore
28 Nov 2016
I do. Been on 10 mg for 2,5 weeks and it seems to be getting worse. Feel very afraid. Is it like parts of your body can "pop"?
kdvirginia
28 Nov 2016
Yep! And a tremor when I try to do things with my hands. I had a shaking in my legs as well, but that got better when I decreased the dose. When I try to pick things up, my hand will jerk or legs etc. Like a popping as you describe.
Leadore
28 Nov 2016
I have exactly that! Had the same experience with other ADs. Thinking I will have to stop taking it because of the side effects, but really need something for my anxiety at the same time.
Have you mentioned this to your doctor?
kdvirginia
28 Nov 2016
I have, we were trying to adjust my dose to see if it helps. And it does, but hasn't gone away, still really annoying. My anxiety/depression are a lot better on the meds, so I don't want to come off them. And I've been through a lot of SSRIs and Celexa is the most tolerable for me historically, so I really don't want to switch :( I just don't know why it would be causing this now and not in the past. What does your doctor say?
Leadore
28 Nov 2016
Have you looked into Tardive Dyskinesia? It can be caused by SSRIs and other drugs.
kdvirginia
28 Nov 2016
Mine isn't anything to the severity of tardive dyskinesia. There is no repetition and it doesn't really occur when I'm at rest (except at night in bed when I can feel the popping some - myoclonus). The fine tremor is what bothers me the most, and that occurs when I am trying to do some kind of precise movement, like pouring a scoop of formula into water or doing crochet.
kdvirginia
28 Nov 2016
I think the tardive dyskinesia is more for long-term use of antipsychotics and things that affect dopamine, which SSRi's generally don't. I don't know what it is about SSRI that causes shaking.
Leadore
28 Nov 2016
I understand. I read that Tardive Dyskensia is just involuntary movements so that is why I asked. I have not been on any anti psychotics either! Although mine is more frequent when resting/relaxing, is that a bad sign then?
Have you tried Lexapro? It is supposed to be similar to Celexa but with less side effects. But I understand that you do not want to change meds, I feel the same way! But the jerks scares me a lot especially for the long term.
Sorry that I can't help you more. Maybe when 5 mg has settled down in your system it will get better over time?
kdvirginia
28 Nov 2016
Yeah maybe, who knows. I was on Lexapro before Celexa and I couldn't sleep at all. And it made me feel totally wired. And Zoloft before that, same thing no sleep and no appetite. Most SSRI's and SNRI's are way too activating for my system unfortunately. Celexa seemed to be the magic one for me and now it isn't :( I still had some shaking on Lexapro, but it was a lot better. Maybe it would work better for you?
Bevo10
4 Aug 2018
I’ve been on celexa for a few years. 40 mg a day and I also have the bad muscle twitching. A few months ago a jerked so hard that I clicked my teeth and chipped a tooth. I’ve been telling my dr for well over a year about the twitching but he keeps telling me it’s not from the celexa. I know it is cuz it started a few months after I started taking it.
5257-1933
10 Dec 2021
I have had these real bad and I’m taking 10 mg.My doctor gave me a nerve pill for a couple of days and it stopped.
Related topics
celexa, tic disorder, tremor, muscle
Further information
- Celexa uses and safety info
- Celexa prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Celexa (detailed)
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