Loss of appetite with Citalopram (generic of Celexa) after a week of use?
Question posted by Phelps038 on 6 Aug 2015
Last updated on 15 April 2017 by Celexa
I'm a male, 18, and going into my last year of high school. Since I was very young I have always been an incredibly light eater, I was basically fed off of Pediasure until I was around 6. I'm 6 feet and weigh only 120 pounds, putting myself at the very low percentile for my age and height group. I believe the reason I have such a low appetite is because of my anxiety, during the school year I can expect my weight to drop to as little as 113. I've tried Ciplactin and other appetite stimulants and have never been able to get hungry off of them. The only thing that really works I find is cannabis, but I'd rather not have to smoke to eat food.
Anyway, that was the background information. I spoke to my doctor about my weight and my anxiety and after several blood tests (thyroid, renal, and some other one- which all came out normal) he prescribed me with a small starter dose of Citalopram (10mg) and plans to increase it if it works out well. The day I took it it was instantly like a laxative and I have already dropped seven pounds because of the nausea it has given me. Not only that but my anxiety has actually increased, I can barely stomach food. From what I understand Citalopram should actually increase my appetite, because I would have less anxiety. This hasn't happened yet. Has this situation happened with anyone else? Extreme weight loss with beginning Citalopram? Will my appetite return once I've reached the therapeutic amount? I'm desperate to gain weight and I would appreciate ANY input from anyone who has found a solution for their appetite/anxiety problems. Thank you.
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5 Answers
CE
Celexa
15 April 2017
Recently my Celexa was raised from 20 to 30. I experienced loss of appetite. I bought some BOOST shakes and they helped alot. Taste good and give you your protien and vitamins. I would eat several times a day. Fruit, puddings etc soft foods. I hope this works for you.
Votes: +0
PH
Phelps038
19 Aug 2015
My anxiety with Citalopram began to decrease recently and my doctor decided to increase my dose to 20mg because I didn't seem to get any relief from the 10mg I was taking. Of course the side effects all come back with my body not being use to this new dose, but they definitely weren't as bad as they were when I first began the 10mg pills. I am getting light anxiety attacks from this new dose but I know they'll eventually go away.
Votes: +0
SW
sweetsaaphie
10 Aug 2015
hi i have been taking this pill for years, , i never ever had trouble eating , infact i eat way to much ,i am an elderly lady and have been on and off having trouble with axiety but i have found this pill fine , i also take a beta blocker for the panic attacks i find them very good , mabe you could have a word with your doctor about them they may help you . the ones i take are called propranolol hope this helps
Votes: +1
DE
Delila
6 Aug 2015
Hi this is the second time this week that i have heard of people losing weight when starting Citalopram - it is much more common to make people gain weight as the medication slows your metabolism and increases your appetite. I believe that when you have been taking Citalopram for a longer period of time and at an increased dosage, you will find that you will feel much better and should/could expect weight gain. Unfortunately, the way SSRI's work, people find they can feel worse before they feel better, hence your anxiety. My experience; for the first 3 weeks of treatment i was very depressed & feeling hopeless, my doctor increased my dose at the 3 week mark and i felt almost immediately better, i could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Try to stick with it if you can, it is a very good medication. However, if the diarrhoea and sickness continue you may have to discontinue use. Please stay hydrated while you are feeling poorly...
Votes: +1
PH
Phelps038
7 Aug 2015
Thank you to both you and Laurie for your input. Getting feedback on other peoples experiences do help a lot and I really appreciate it. I'm getting on Ensure and for whatever reason I don't have problems drinking calories so I think I'll be able to make it until I reach the point where I'm seeing good results from an SSRI. The anxiety is debilitating though. I'm unable to see my doctor but I will see a PA tomorrow morning. I have read people who experienced heightened anxiety in this stage have used Valium or Klonopin to relieve these side effects until the Citalopram kicks in and maybe I'll discuss this with the PA tomorrow. I'm also considering switching to Lexapro, but from what I've heard it is very similar chemically to Celexa and I would probably still get these side effects. Anyway, it is a relief to discuss this with like-minded people who've gone through this and can relate. Again, a thank you in advance for any input or suggestions.
DE
Delila
7 Aug 2015
Hi, yes Valium could certainly help short term, does the PA have authority to order a prescription for you? Lexapro, aka Escitalopram is the sister medication of Citalopram, thought to be more suitable when treating anxiety, Citalopram more suitable when treating depression. I take an an add on, Lyrica, to help my anxiety and agoraphobic symptoms. Ensure is a very good idea! Dioralyte sachets will also help replenish the sodium and rehydrate you from the vomiting and diarrhoea. How are you feeling today?
PH
Phelps038
8 Aug 2015
Still not feeling too much better. Had a productive talk with the PA though, learned some breathing techniques and how perception affects anxiety and stuff. I'm deciding I'll be sticking with the Citalopram and not switching to Lex until I've given it enough time. However, now I've got some Rozerem (basically a prescription melatonin) to help with sleeping. I've also began taking activated charcoal to help with the nausea and it does work somewhat too. School starts the 24th so I think I'll have enough time for the SSRI to kick in. Thanks for the suggestion of the dioralyte sachets, I'm now taking them too and drinking lots of gatorade. I feel much more confident that riding out the side effects is the right thing to do and that this will all turn out well in the end. Please feel free to drop in any tid-bits or any thing you think would help.
DE
Delila
9 Aug 2015
I'm very impressed with your positivity! Good for you. I think it is mainly important, while going through this adjustment, to talk to people, don't shut yourself away, try not to sleep during the day, get out of the house and go for short walks, maybe take someone with you... also eating healthily helps, although that could be a problem for you atm?
PH
Phelps038
9 Aug 2015
I've gained 3 of the 6 pounds I lost in the last two days, even though I'm guessing its mostly water weight its definitely good. One thing though, about an hour after I take my pill my anxiety definitely increases and then peaks for a good 2 more hours and then lowers back down again. It was basically an anxiety attack the first time I felt this and now these anxiety spells are lasting less and less long and are becoming easier to handle. I can definitely connect the increase in anxiety with taking the pill though.
Another thing, about taking activated charcoal to ease nausea with Citalopram- I read on another forum that you want to let the pill be in you for at least two hours before taking the activated charcoal because the charcoal will absorb the Citalopram before it can enter your system? I only read this on one other forum post but I would like some confirmation on this because the charcoal does help a lot! I would totally recommend it for SSRI nausea but if the reason its helping is because its absorbing the pill, then whats the point?
DE
Delila
10 Aug 2015
That's good news that you have gained some weight. I really don't understand the charcoal tablets? Charcoal is used after pumping a patients stomach after an overdose, to absorb any remaining medication and to settle the stomach. Even after intervention, some of the medication can remain in the gastric system, and that can be many hours later... so i have to question the charcoal tablets effecting the level of medication you are taking? If anyone would like to educate me on this if i am wrong, i would welcome the feedback! Going back to your anxiety after taking the medication, i think it comes down to the 'feeling worse before you feel better' phenomenon, which isn't very helpful for you right now, but you can expect to feel better as the days go by...
PH
Phelps038
11 Aug 2015
Don't really know much about the activated charcoal, at the organic food store they recommended this and it sure helps a lot with the nausea. I'm stopping using it though, my nausea is almost gone and the anxiety I've been feeling has definitely been going down. Today has been pretty awesome, my appetite has been almost normal and I think maybe in a few days it could be stronger than it was before I started this stuff. I have seven days until I see my doctor and I feel that the world can change during this week. My sleeping schedule is awesome now too after starting the Rozerem, bed by around 11 pm now and awake at 8/9 am- lots better than it was during the rest of summer vacation. I'm real happy I didn't quit a few days ago, it's remarkable how much its changed. Cant wait to see how much better I feel tomorrow.
PH
Phelps038
11 Aug 2015
I gotta say that I also felt less of the other side effects of Citalopram while I was taking the activated charcoal, so I do think that you are messing with it if you are mixing the two. If you have to take it I'd wait a few hours after you take the medication and then take the charcoal.
It is not unusual to have the diarrhea, nausea and increased anxiety when first starting this drug. This should clear up within the first month as you adjust to the medication. Hang in there.
