I was just prescribed Celexa for generalized/social anxiety and panic attacks. I was given a 20mg dosage and simply told to take one a day at the same time. But after reading about the drug, a lot of info says it's best to start with a lower dose and gradually up it. I trust my doctor, I'm just worried starting at 20mg right off the bat isn't a good idea or something.
What is the proper starting dosage for Celexa?
Question posted by staceynor on 28 May 2011
Last updated on 26 January 2019
6 Answers
My doctor just started me on celexa 10 mg. I have suffered with anxiety for years. I have read people’s reviews I am praying for a miracle. Those that have had good results with it. How long till you started feeling results?
"Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood, anxiety, and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.
Citalopram (Celexa) | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness"
Try to be patient because you may see some initial improvements but it can take several weeks to feel the full benefits. Antidepressants are not a quick fix but they work well.
Best regards, Wild Cat
Wild cat thank you.. I am praying this works I start today. May God bless you
I have been on Citalopram (Celexa) for some time now. I wanted to stop the drug to see how I would feel... it was terrible! He increased the dosage to 30mg but I went down to 20 mg again. I'm very sensitive to medications! There are so many other meds that I need to take for my health issues.
Hello , My doctor started me off at 5 mgs due my sensitivity to meds and stomach issues then to 10mgs.
After 8 days I went to 20 mgs but it made me very sick.
Headache ,more nausea , very dizzy.
I felt good on 10 mgs and have gone back to that.
I started taking celexa 20 mg on a Wednesday. I had very high anxiety and a few panic attacks. On Friday night, just three days on it I experienced a very bad reaction to the drug. I had a panic attack that lasted 5 hours. I felt out of my mind crazy, unable to function. I had extreme lose of appetite and lost 5 pounds. I ended up I'm the hospital because of none stop anxiety with dehydration and low calories on my body. I spoke to a phsyciatrist at the hospital who evaluated me and said to take 10 mg of celexa. That 20 was too much for me. I had taken celexa 2 years ago for years with no problems. Not sure what happened. I am 40 lbs lighter so maybe that has something to do with it. Good luck. Panic attacks suck!!
I've noticed as I get older that I am much more sensitive to meds I took years ago for panic attacks. Years ago I was tried on very high doses of gabapentin and had side effects of dizziness, yet recently I was tried again on a very low dose and I felt horrible. Anyone else notice more difficulty with side effects as you get older (I'm now in my early 60's)?
Hot sure what your age is. But I'm 67 now and having a devil of a time starting meds again
My doc recommended remeron, has anyone been on this. What I've read doesn't seem like I want to go the direction of severe weight gain and feeling like a zombie. My doc feels like my stomach is having a hard time with the seratonin. Any thoughts woukd be appreciated .
i also was percribed 20 mg celexa on wed... was told to take half wed and half thurs then a whole pill friday... it made me pretty(bare with me and my spelling)nauseus... for like 4 hours so on friday the day i was suppose to take the whole pill i called the dr to see if i could do a couple more days of the halfs which she said was fine... so grat news on sat took a half... and no sickness!!! still gonna half it for sunday and monday cause im a pussy but going tto take the whole pill tuesday!! actually pretty pyched about it i really hope this med works... i have pretty ridiculous anxiety... was finally getting the best of me. have a med recheck in amonth to see how its going... p.s. i have never been on any kinds of med like this.
Hi, i also take celexa (citalopram where i live, UK). I don't want to contradict pledge but there is a 10mg version (maybe its not available where he lives?). My mum takes the 10mg for mild depression/anxiety and has gotten relief from this. I am on 60mg now. But as pledge said, 20mg is the usual starting dose. I was on this 2 weeks, then went up to 40mg and was great on this for many months. I have bipolar also and take seroquel at night, and it was making me a bit 'zombified' during the day, so my psych decided to drop the seroquel by 50mg and increase the celexa to balance it out. And it works amazing for me. I hope you have as much success on it as i've had.
Hi staceynor. I was on celexa, prescribed for my anxiety, just as yourself. The starting dose is 20mg. Most everything I've read, from the other members here on the site, is that they also began and most of them stay on 20mg or a few are on 40mg. So, I believe that its ok, that your dr.prescribed you the 20mg.dose. They don't make a 10mg pill. Its 20 or 40. Have a fine weekend.
Hi staceynor... Just to let you know, I have been on celexa for just over a year now. I take it for anxiety and panic attacks. I started off taking 5 mg. Celexa DOES come in 10 mg pills. At first I would take the 10 mg and cut them in half. I did that for a long time ( months! ) and then I went to 10 mg... I was on the 10 mg for about 2 months, and then I went to 15 mg... ( again, cutting the 10 in half ).. I am now on 20 mg. and have been on the for about 2 weeks. The reason for me taking such small doses is because I am extremely sensitive to all these kinds of meds. Trust me, I have taken just about everything out there! You name it, I've tried it... So far, I've found Celexa to be the best. I hope this helps you...
Hi Staceynor ,
You gave me good information.I will start off on 10mg myself . Ihope I also get good results from it .Thanks
they do make a 10mg because I just got a new script for it:)
Not true about available dosage. I'm on this med and have 10mg pills. It is also safe to break them in half.
hi everyone- i take the generic for celexa which is citalopram... i cut a 10 mg in half and i am doing fine on the 5mg... i read its best to take the lowest that you can take i am 69 yrs old.
I just cut them in half
Related topics
celexa, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, dosage, anxiety and stress
Further information
- Celexa uses and safety info
- Celexa prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Celexa (detailed)
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