Celexa and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Lee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 7, 2017

For Depression "Living with a depressed husband and my parents passing within 16 months of each other threw me into two years of depression. When I finally sought help, my doctor put me on generic Celexa. Within a month, I felt a lot better; however, I was nauseous and woke up at 3 a.m. for the first 3 months. I'm glad I stuck it out because after that, I was fine for about 2 years when it stopped working. Over the past 3 years, I have tried 3 other antidepressants, but nothing has worked or they increased my blood pressure, so my doctor suggested trying Celexa again. I'm hoping I won't have the side effects this time but feel they are worth it for two years of normal living."

• Dan...
• November 25, 2016

For Depression "I had been on Wellbutrin, which worked great for me, but my insurance would not cover the cost, and my insurance does cover Celexa, so my Dr. switched me to Celexa to see if it would work for me. The first 2 weeks I felt great! I had tons of energy and just felt really good. I did have some mild nausea, but not something that I couldn't handle. After 2 weeks I started feeling extremely tired and went from sleeping 6-7 hours per night (the most I have ever slept at night) to sleeping 10 hours a night. I also feel really tired and just blah all day. I got to the point that I just feel numb and stopped caring about anything. Dishes and laundry piled up, don't care. Family needs dinner, don't care. Needless to say, I will be switching meds!"

• Anonymous
• May 17, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I've had panic attacks since 8th grade. I'm 28 now and notice my anxiety about having a panic attack was getting overwhelming. I started to notice I was avoiding situations. I'm a full-time student and work part-time. I need to do many speeches, and I would worry about speeches from the time they were assigned. I've been on citalopram 20 mg for 2.5 weeks. I have no panic attacks, and I have done two speeches with no issues! Side effects of nausea with yawning and sleepiness, but those go away (1.5 weeks), then I noticed the change! Wish I started sooner."

• Kat...
• March 13, 2015

For Depression "Helps post-traumatic stress disorder that has turned into chronic depression and irritability. Side effects are nausea, appetite gain, and tiredness, in my case, but I also have hypothyroidism and clogged arteries. Helps enough to be worth it for good in my case."

• ERr...
• April 6, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "Currently on week 2 of my experience with Celexa to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. The first couple of days were absolutely terrible due to side effects (nausea, insomnia, headache, flu-like symptoms, and a huge increase in my depression). Don't know why I had such a severe reaction to the medication right off the bat since I've heard this is one of the more tolerant SSRIs in terms of side effects. But after a few days, my system normalized, and I'm already starting to feel like myself again. The doctor said it could take up to 4-6 weeks for it to fully be in effect, but I find myself sleeping through the night and waking up with a much more positive attitude and not on edge with anxiety like I had been in the past. So far, so good!"

• Har...
• November 14, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I recently started Celexa, my doctor told me to start with 10 mg for a week, then go up to 20 mg. I noticed a difference with the very first pill, I felt more anxiety and severe nausea. I kept taking the pills, and it got worse with every dose. I couldn't leave my house or bed, it made everything worse. My doctor said to keep taking them, so I did. Six days later, I couldn't take it anymore, so I stopped, and the withdrawal side effects are just as bad: extreme nausea and excessive anxiety, it's been a terrible roller coaster ride. After not being on it for a week, I'm finally starting to feel better."

• Har...
• November 14, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I recently started Celexa, my doctor told me to start with 10 mg for a week, then go up to 20 mg. I noticed a difference with the very first pill, I felt more anxiety and severe nausea. I kept taking the pills, and it got worse with every dose. I couldn't leave my house or bed, it made everything worse. My doctor said to keep taking them, so I did. Six days later, I couldn't take it anymore, so I stopped, and the withdrawal side effects are just as bad: extreme nausea and excessive anxiety, it's been a terrible roller coaster ride. After not being on it for a week, I'm finally starting to feel better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "Was put on this for depression/anxiety, and it was a disaster! About 40 minutes after I took it, I started to feel very nauseous and had bad diarrhea. I also felt very hot and had a lot of anxiety (more anxiety than I had in the first place). Later on, I noticed it made me yawn quite a bit, and each time I yawned, my jaw would stay clenched for a couple of seconds before it would relax again. I only took it for one day, and almost 2 days later, I am still having some nausea, yawning, and burping a lot. According to the other reviews, it seems like it either works for you or it doesn't. I am obviously not one of the people it works for!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "Was put on this for depression/anxiety, and it was a disaster! About 40 minutes after I took it, I started to feel very nauseous and had bad diarrhea. I also felt very hot and had a lot of anxiety (more anxiety than I had in the first place). Later on, I noticed it made me yawn quite a bit, and each time I yawned, my jaw would stay clenched for a couple of seconds before it would relax again. I only took it for one day, and almost 2 days later, I am still having some nausea, yawning, and burping a lot. According to the other reviews, it seems like it either works for you or it doesn't. I am obviously not one of the people it works for!"

• bon...
• November 13, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I have taken several medicines for depression and anxiety in the past. None have worked and would cause me to have terrible insomnia at night. Celexa has been great. At first, I experienced dizziness and was very sleepy. I also had nausea and GI upset. After a week, the side effects went away. I feel more relaxed and do not worry about things that used to stress me out. I sleep great at night. I take 10 mg at night. I am so glad I tried this medicine."

• kGm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2021

For Depression "I felt compelled to write a review on my experience. I'm into the second week of this drug, and it's been a miracle. I started at 10 mg for a week and increased to 20 mg in the second week. The first two days were rough, felt like the flu and increased depression and anxiety. After a week, I woke up with energy and no negative thoughts. Prior to this, I woke up not wanting to live and dragging myself out of bed. I was plagued with negative thoughts, I was in a deep fog and struggled cognitively. Now, in my week two on Celexa, I feel great. I'm also taking 5 mg of Trazodone for sleep, which also causes me to feel nauseous for the first few weeks. Everything is balanced out, and I'm back to being me again! I wish anyone reading this lots of love and hope."

• SMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I took this Celexa about 15 years ago for depression and stayed on it for about 3 years. At first, it made me a little sleepy, but that went away after a couple of weeks. The only side effect was it made it very difficult to ejaculate. I stopped taking it because I started to feel too chilled out/apathetic. I cut my dosage down to half for about a week and quit. No side effects at all. Now I'm 49 and started taking it again for stress/anxiety. The first two days started with 5 mg, then I upped it to 10 mg. By about the 6th day, I was feeling mild nausea and some dizziness. The 7th/8th day was terrible-hot flashes, anxiety, nausea-I had to take Xanax and Zofran. Then, by the 10th day, I felt a change-almost like a light switched. I'm thinking, ok, this is working now! I still feel a little nausea, but my mood has improved. I'm also feeling the difficulty with ejaculation. I'm not sure if the side effects are due to my age now or what, but I was surprised since I didn't have them in the past."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I was feeling very moody, having rapid highs and lows. My boyfriend called this 'The Dragon.' I reviewed this website and read the reviews to see which medication would be right before I spoke with a doctor. I was prescribed Celexa by my doctor and have now been on the medication for about 4 weeks. I have noticed that my exaggerated mood swings are not as extreme. I can let more things just roll off my back rather than dwelling on the negative perspective. This medicine has been very helpful to me. Not many side effects, just nausea and suppressed sex drive. Altogether, losing a little weight is worth the steadiness of my moods."

• Dee...
• June 26, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "The worst drug that I've ever taken in my life. I suffer from chronic anxiety and my doctor decided to prescribe Celexa since the other brands made me feel horrible. Prior to taking the dose, I researched every detail about it and read nothing but good reviews; thus, I decided to take it. I took one dose that one evening. The next morning, while letting my dog out in the yard, I felt the room turning black, and a horrible sensation of nausea came over me. I rushed to the bathroom, confident that I was going to vomit, and before getting there, I fainted; eyesight went, hearing went, my body was like a noodle... couldn't move. When I came to, I had the horrible nausea, sweats, and I felt my heart rate was through the roof. I went to the ER, but all they did was give me allergy meds, which didn't help. Symptoms did not subside at all. This nightmare lasted two horrendous weeks."

• can...
• August 25, 2011

For Panic Disorder "20 mg citalopram caused me to have severe anxiety attacks, feel like I cannot relax ever, cannot sleep, I feel dizzy all the time and nauseous, and it's given me horrible digestive problems. I have taken Zoloft and Paxil with good results for years, but started having sexual dysfunction and was switched to citalopram. It stopped my crying spells, but I feel like my depression is still there. I just cannot let out my feelings due to this medicine. The only positive is that I can just barely manage to function sexually. I am really surprised to see all these good reviews on here as to how it made others less anxious and more positive and social and even drowsy, as it has had the total opposite effect on me."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2015

For Depression "I have been on this for a week. Day 1. Blurred vision and feeling like I'm in the matrix, zoned out after 2 hours, and severe nausea. I wanted to quit. But it calmed me, and I felt unbothered by things that would normally make me cry. I take it at night and wake up with SEVERE anxiety as I had before taking it, but I can feel my body trying to compress it. I pray and hope it gives me the happy, energetic feeling I need. Right now, it's keeping me calm, but I still can't get out of bed."

• Djc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I never leave feedback, but this was the most horrible feeling I have ever felt in my life. I couldn't sleep from 1 dose. Was wide awake for 3 days straight. Had a ton of energy, but it made me feel crazy. Upset stomach, nausea, headache, jitters, jaw clenching the entire time and the list keeps going. Then when the medicine was coming out of my system, I couldn't stop crying. It's horrible... For me anyways. I'm kinda scared to try another antidepressant. Are they all like this?"

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2011

For Depression "I mainly wanted to talk about withdrawal from this medication. It does work very well for depression. I honestly felt a lot better after being depressed for 4 or 5 years before I sought treatment. Just a warning to those who are considering stopping the medication... please consult your doctor and do it gradually. I stopped taking it, and at the end of a 7-day period, I felt like I was having a heart attack. My chest wouldn't stop hurting, and I felt nauseous and dizzy."

• lac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I was put on Celexa for anxiety and depression. I took it for the first time last night, then woke up at 10 a.m. with the worst nausea of my life. I thought I was going to vomit. I also couldn't stop shaking, but I wasn't cold. My whole body also felt like it was on fire and burning. The worst was my feet, hands, and ears. My feet were so bad I couldn't feel them. So, not taking this med anymore."

• ese...
• April 14, 2009

For Anxiety and Stress "Celexa was the first medication I was ever put on for mild depression, stress, and anxiety mostly stemming from my stressful work environment (prison). I felt no difference with this medication, and I was nauseous as a side effect. The doctor switched me to Wellbutrin, which did not work, and then to Effexor, which is a wonder drug."

• Anonymous
• November 10, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "I took Celexa for the 2nd time today and threw up within 1 hour. The first time, same thing. For some odd reason, I am yawning more than usual, and every time I yawn, I want to throw up. It causes a severe upset stomach and causes it to come out both ends. I sure hope this stops soon or I would rather deal with anxiety and stress alone because this is far worse."

• Mis...
• March 3, 2012

For Depression "I've been taking Celexa for a few weeks now. I've gained a lot of weight, so much in fact we thought I was pregnant! AND I'M NOT! I've been feeling nauseous and having cramps. I don't want to have sex anymore, and when we do, I can't have an orgasm. My period is down to just barely anything (I have an IUD that I've had for 3 years). Celexa does make me a happier person. I'm playing with my kids now, which before I wouldn't. I just wanted to be left alone and wanted to play my computer. Now I do things with my family, I feel happier."

• Bub...
• June 1, 2011

For Depression "I have been taking 40 mg of Celexa now for the past 2 weeks. I can tell quite a change in my personality, and it's for the better. It's literally saving my relationship. I have experienced nausea, but the positive is that it's helping me lose some unwanted weight that I put on from previous medications. Overall, I think that it's a great medication."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2018

For Depression "This medication was extremely dangerous for me. When I began taking it, I started to sweat profusely, I had a terrible headache, I was nauseous and shaking uncontrollably. Luckily, I was at an inpatient facility. The psychiatrist immediately stopped the medication and told me I was suffering from serotonin overdose, aka serotonin syndrome, which can be deadly. I was so pale I started to turn gray. Once the medication was out of my system, it took about a week to feel better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Celexa for 3 weeks now, and I can already feel a huge difference. I was having panic attacks while at work to where I would need to walk away and go into a bathroom to calm down. I would have meltdowns at home, getting home from work and having to deal with my two boys (3 years old & 10 years old), who were not listening and coming home to a messy house after working all day. Now I come home, and I am more at ease, calm, and not having any attacks. The first week and a half were a little rough with the side effects: tiredness, nausea, headaches, increased panic attacks, hot flash symptoms (sweating a lot), hungry (I am talking every 10 minutes, not feeling full hungry), and now on week 3, all of my symptoms have gone away. I am taking 10 mg Celexa, and I see my primary on 11/30 for a follow-up, so hopefully, by week 4-6, my anxiety will be gone as well."