I've just started 20mg of citalopram for depression and anxiety. What side effects have you had anyone had who's taken it? it's causing me problems sleeping. i don't know if i can stay on it if this is going to be the norm. also, has anyone found citalopram to be effective in easing depression and how easy is it to come off? sorry, lots of questions! i've never taken any form of drugs before, prescribed or otherwise and this was the last resort but i need to find the old Me again and am hoping this will help
Citalopram - what side effects have you had, was it effective, how easy was it to stop?
- Asked
- 30 Nov 2010 by MC1981
- Updated
- 4 Apr 2013
- Topics
- depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, citalopram, side effect
Responses (8)
I have been on Celexa (Citalopram) for a little over a year now. I do not have any side effects from it, other than it makes a little more tired than normal. I take 40mg though, so that might be the cause of my slight drowsiness. I hope this medication works as good for you as it does me. :)
I just started taking this about 2 weeks ago. Started on 10mg for 7 days, then 20mg. No feelings of hunger like other anti-depression drugs I have taken, and I sleep like a baby again. I get a little sleepy during the day, however, I also take Prem-Pro which may be causing the drowsiness. I don't know the full effectivness of Citalopram yet, I think I would be a better judge in about another month. I was precribed this for irritability issues from menopause. I was on Cymbalta for over a year, it worked great, but was so expensive since there is no generic. Cymbalta was a little difficult to come off of.
i hope it works out well for you. i'm in the UK under the NHS system, my GP thought this the best medication for my needs and i don't really know any different. i've never taken anything before so i decided to read up on what i am taking
Hey, I know it is scary! I started on 20mg of citalopram over a year ago. I started to feel very strong and myself again and like human nature stopped taking the medication. Well when you suffer from General anxiety disorder and stop taking medication and stress piles on the relapse is not a walk in the park. I finally went back to my doctor and she put me back on the 20 mg of citalopram. I knew before I didn't have these side affects from the medication that is was from my anxiety and stress. I was unable to sleep, I was experiencing racing thoughts, loss of appitite, and scary and disturbing thoughts that I could not control. I did hours upon hours of research and talked to friends and strangers who went through the same thing. It was the stress, depression, and anxiety that were causing this.
When I took this medication, it did not help me at all. I still had anxiety and became extremely irritable! If you have these types of issues, I would try Lexapro. It has really helped me feel better. I am happier now, don't feel so anxious all the time and don't feel irritable!
Hi, i've been taking citalopram for about 2 years now and really like it. I did go through the usual adjustment period when i felt pretty awful (Bad depression, crying all the time, feeling of hopelessness)! But i persevered and i'm glad i did. I started on the 20mg and the idea was to see how well they did for me, with a view to increase to 40mg after 4 weeks. At 3 weeks i was a mess and so my doctor decided to increase my dose early. A week after that i felt like a huge weight had been lifted! You must be aware that anti-depressants can cause you to feel worse before you feel better, at the end of the day they are changing the 'chemical' balance of your brain. It is important to tell your doctor if you start to feel worse than before you started them. Side effects; I honestly don't think i have any (and i'm on 60mg), maybe an increased appetite only. I hope they work out for you. Btw i'm also in the UK.
Delila are you still around? I'm presently going through exactly what you did with citalopram, and I'm only on 10 mg. It's been three weeks and I have bad depression, and crying all the time! I experienced the same with cipralex so P.Doc took me off it after two and half months. It was far worse though. I'm so tired of all this after nearly four months, I'm ready to quit all drugs. My P. Doc told me it's not scientifically possible to be depressed on an anti depressant! I got news for him! I'm tired of Drs., drugs and not feeling well!
I'm somewhat more confident after reading your post though, as at present I'm feeling pretty hopeless. That being said one day last week I awoke and thought "oh My God" I feel normal, it lasted for a day!
Hi, It still surprises me to hear peoples experiences with different doctors! Of course you can be depressed during the adjustment period, it is listed as a side effect on the paperwork in the box! I would hope that you are very close to feeling better... as i wrote, my doctor decided to increase my dose earlier them recommended because i was near suicidal i felt so bad. Then a week later i felt like a completely different person, it was great. As you know, everyone is affected differently with medications, something that is great for one person may not be for another. I hope you have the same success that i did though. My mum takes 10mg, she has found it to take the edge off her anxiety. Try to think positive, i know how hard it can be though. Write to me whenever. I hope you are feeling better soon : )
I have been on Citalopram 20mg for 2years. I have not had side effects , but now I want to get off the drug and am doing it cold turkey. The last 3 days I have had dizziness and just plan to get through it. I understand people suggesting taking a lower dose and wean off the drug. I hope to just quit and feel like my old self without feeling to use drugs to get through the day .
i tried it a few months back at 10 mg and 15 mg i couldnt cope with the side effects, which were weight loss coz i couldnt eat and i was constantly being sick or dry wretching. it also did nothing to help me sleep and actually made me more anxsious so i then woke even earlier in the morning i now take 5 mg every second day with a view to stopping. i was on them for anxiety and slight depression my doc recommended i try mitrazipine if i find i need something as the make most people sleep
hey,
i was on citalopram for a year i was on 40 mg at first i had sleeping troubles as it made me really hyperactive "high" for about two weeks and then it calmed down and was feeling normal so just keep with it!! i find it when i start any new tablets !! im starting some new ones now and its the same no sleeping etc ..
x

Further Information
- Citalopram Information for Consumers
- Citalopram Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Citalopram (detailed)
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thanks, i hope so too. its early days for me i suppose i'll see how things settle down after a few weeks