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Celexa User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

Celexa has an average rating of 7.3 out of 10 from a total of 832 reviews on Drugs.com. 65% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 17% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Celexa

  • Anonymous
  • October 16, 2009

For Depression "So far Celexa has been great. I was very hesitant to start a medicine for depression/anxiety. But after being extremely low, hostile and moody for months it was time to go to the doctor. I was angry and depressed all the time. I just wish I went for help sooner. Also, I used to get panic pains in my chest and throat probably 100 times a day. Sudden scared and nervous little panics over anything! It has helped that a lot too. No side effects for me except good ones! The only reason I cannot give this a 10 is that I have only been on it for a month. Hopefully these results last!"

9 / 10
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  • Feeling...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 23, 2013

For Depression "The depression, feelings of worthlessness, suicidal thoughts and chronic anger have all eased somewhat since I started taking Celexa (10mg). I've been on it for about two months and have noticed a marked difference. Sleeping okay after insomnia at first. No decrease in sex drive (male), but definite decrease in ability. Hoping that doesn't last. Although some days I feel like my old self, mostly I feel better. Life has become more clear to me, my relationship with my wife appears to be improving, and this has allowed me to begin forgiving myself. Long road ahead. I wish you all the best."

8 / 10
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  • amee
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 22, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking Celexa a week ago for social anxiety disorder, and I already feel major relief. For the first time, I was social at work and made new friends. I feel happier and can focus on caring about other things and people rather than just myself. I had social anxiety, but I can honestly say that this medicine has worked miracles on me so far, and I'm only on 10mg. This medicine has quite literally saved my life. If you are experiencing depression or anxiety, in my opinion, it's not worth it to keep fighting it without medication. I suffered from social anxiety disorder for 2 years before finally deciding to take it. Now, I wish I had taken it much sooner!"

10 / 10
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158 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Katie...
  • March 21, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I didn't realize how bad my anxiety was until I started taking citalopram (and found relief). I had never taken any antidepressant and I started off with a TINY amount..5 mg in the morning for the first three days. I got a bad headache, which went away after a couple of days. I then increased to 10mg... then 20. I ended up at 40mg daily and have been on that for a little over a year. I am currently in the process of decreasing my dose. I dropped down to 30 mg for two weeks and I am noticing my irritation and anxiety increasing. My goal had been to get to 20mg but I am not sure I'll be able to do that, due to the increased feelings of anxiety. All in all I have found this medicine to be a HUGE help with very few side effects."

10 / 10
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  • AliDi...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 1, 2014

For Depression "I think I waited to long to start taking this medication. I too along with many others was against "happy pills" as I used to call them, I started having anxiety attacks at work and my emotions were starting to bleed into every aspect of my life, I had to do something. Depression is sneaky... you don't realize what its doing to you until you can step out of it and take a breath a real clear minded breath. That what Celexa has been for me. It made me soo tired at the beginning and I didn't eat much, but after about a week I noticed I was not crying all day like before. I cant say I feel super happy all the time but I notice that I am not as sad and I have energy to do more than lay on the couch on the weekends!"

8 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Brook...
  • July 19, 2015

For Depression "Felt better in 2 days ! This is a miracle for me. Suffered with terrible depression for years. Also had severe anxiety and panic attacks. I have NO side effects from Celexa. It is WONDERFUL from my personal experience."

10 / 10
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126 Report
  • JoeTu...
  • July 2, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "*UPDATE*December 19, 2017 I have now completely have gotten off of celexa after a year and feel great. I took 2 months to ween off of my 20mg dose. Celexa helped me with all of my issues: Extreme lack of focus, panic attacks, not being able to hold conversations, de-personalization, had to quit my job... But enough of that, ultimately this medication was the biggest roller coaster ride I've ever been on (for the first 6 weeks) but am so happy I decided to go on it. For me Celexa muted all of my anxious feelings and allowed me to regain who I was and gain all of my confidence back. So anyways I thought I would share my final review of this drug and for anyone trying to get through a bout of anxiety that is so bad it destroys their entire life, there is hope! It's hard as anything but I wouldn't of done anything different. Good luck everyone! BTW I was on it from June 16 2017 to June 27 2018. The "it gets worse before it gets better" part was over after about 4-6 weeks."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • July 23, 2008

For Depression "I have taken Celexa (started at 40 mg now at 20 mg) since I was 18 and have learned that it has been very beneficial in helping me maintain a positive mood. Along with a healthy diet and exercise I know that Celexa will probably be a part of my life forever. The only side effects I experience are frequent yawning and occasional sleepiness. Sleepiness is less of an issue if I take the medication at the same time of day consistently (late afternoon.)"

9 / 10
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  • EvaGurl
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 4, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I started on 10mg after quitting drinking and starting AA and I had to increase my dose to 20. So I've been on 20 for a week and I was on 10 for about 3 weeks before. I feel great. My anxiety level is so low and manageable and so is my negative thinking and my anger towards everyone. I have the right perspectives just couldn't apply them before and now I find it easy to. I don't freak out, get mad, irritated and frustrated like I used to. Life is easier to handle but you still need tools. So far my sex drive is still there tho it might take a little more effort to orgasm but not bec I don't feel it as much but bec it's hard to reach a certain level fast enough. My cravings for alcohol and sweet foods is very low. I'm motivated."

10 / 10
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  • branw...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 7, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on Celexa for about 1 1/2 years an I love it. I have a real big history of panic attacks the ones that make you feel like your dying well they have decreased alot I still have them once in a while but they have gotten way better. This medication has really made a difference for me I recommend it to everyone with panic an anxiety disorder it works."

4 / 10
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  • BillB...
  • July 20, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Completely changed my life. I was having severe anxiety accompanied with frequent panic attacks and was feeling hopeless about improvement. First two weeks on Celexa were terrible, but I can't necessary attribute all symptoms as side effects because my anxiety was so bad it could have been that. I was waking up with night terrors, had extreme fatigue, dizziness, and dissociation. But then at some point I forgot about my anxiety and was living a normal life again. I started at 10 mg and went to 20 mg before coming back down to 10 mg due to improvement. After about 6 months I weaned off the drug completely and have only mild anxiety relapses currently."

10 / 10
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  • Anon
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 15, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking Celexa for 13 years for anxiety/irritability which it works great for. Sexual side effects are terribly disappointing - lack desire and difficult to climax. Anytime I try to go off, the anxiety and irritability are present within the 2nd day. Really wish I could find something that worked as good without the side effects. No other medicine has even touched anxiety/irritability the way Celexa has."

10 / 10
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  • TLD
  • February 3, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking Celexa about a month and a half for anxiety. I didn't go to the doctor, on the given day, to get anything but an antibiotic for being sick. I walked out of the doctor's office that day with Celexa also. I was VERY fearful of taking a type of drug like this, but I was also tired of being very anxious - always have been. I was easy to irritate. I couldn't handle stress well and couldn't seem to focus at the task at hand when I was stressed. Celexa has taken away these feelings. I feel 'normal' now, so to speak and can handle everything better. I can also orgasm, no problems (am married) ;-) and I have NOT gained any weight! I can cry also and have normal emotional responses. Celexa has been great!"

10 / 10
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  • 32y f...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 7, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I am on week three of 10mg celexa. I felt a difference in my mood immediately. My husband too finds I am much calmer. I was a mix bag of anxiety, irritability, anger, sadness, stress, mind racing and exhaustion. I used to snap at every little thing. The mood shifting was not only hard on me but my family as well. I couldn't live like that any more. Although I was prescribed celexa, I did not rush out to buy it I guess because I was ashamed about having to medicate myself. It took me two months to admit it to myself. I now regret not starting it earlier! It has changed me for the better. I am still the same person with the same life problems but I can better handle my problems now. I can think clearly. The negativity is gone."

10 / 10
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  • Yinchy
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 14, 2021

For Depression "I have depression that sometimes makes it impossible for me to leave the house. I took celexa several years ago and if memory serves, I was euphorically happy. Over the course of the last 2 years, I have tried everything under the sun but nothing has helped. Three days ago, I started taking Celexa again. I’ve been sleeping almost continuously for three days. I’m so sad, I can’t clean my house or do much of anything really. I’m praying that this lack of motivation goes away. I will update as soon as I feel any change."

3 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 30, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on this medication for a week and have never felt better. I have noticed no anxiety and my mind does not race all the time. My spouse has even said that he has noticed a difference with my attitude. I feel like my old self. I have been smiling more and feel relaxed. I take 20 mg per day. The only downfall that I have found with this medication is that it upsets my stomach, so what I have been doing is taking it with my dinner meal and that has seemed to help."

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  • Wicho
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 21, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I was afraid about taking celexa and because my Christian believe. I pray for a long time and being fighting anxiety for 4 years. Feel relief when I read the Bible and pray. But my doctor advise me to get on celexa. Now 5 weeks I feel a lot better feel in control. And side effects minimum. All gone feel like I’m alive once again. Sometimes your mind makes you think the medicine is not working but you have to help yourself feel better. "

10 / 10
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  • Stres...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 22, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking Celexa about 2 months ago. I told the doctor that I was always overwhelmed and having anxiety attacks while driving and waking up in the middle of the night sweating. I immediately felt the effects within the first few days, but the dry mouth and yawning was unbearable. I switched to taking it before bedtime since it knocks me out anyway. About 2 weeks in I noticed myself acting a little goofy and happy again. I've noticed a dramatic difference in myself since I had my second child and my husband was working 60-70 hours a week, but now with the Celexa I feel much more normal like when I was younger. My doctor told me it would take about 3 months to fully kick in, but so far so good."

8 / 10
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140 Report
  • blond...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 4, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I just started the medication 10mg for 14 days then 20mg for 1 month then doctor wants to see me I have been diagnosed with anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, depression, and depersonalization. I have been on the celexa for five days an although the doc told me it would be 3-4 weeks for full effect I smiled today, I don't feel heavy with thought, I feel like I will come back to me I didn't mind wander or get too into my head today. That's a great feeling, I think I'm going to be okay!"

8 / 10
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  • Sarit...
  • April 22, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on citalopram for a couple months now and I absolutely love it. The only side effect I had was dizziness the next day after the first dose, but it went away. As of right now, no side effects at all, and I have noticed that I am more independent and more confident than I have ever been. Before this medication I took Paxil, which was horrible. The side effects were the worst and the withdrawal (which I have read about) is bad as well, but I got over it. Before Celexa I would be afraid to talk on the phone and do basic things like calling insurance companies, cable companies, etc. But now I have the confidence to call anyone and the change has been night and day. Highly recommend this medication!"

10 / 10
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  • Crissy...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 2, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I began taking Celexa during detox for addiction to prescription medication. I honestly thought I would never smile or laugh again - but after about 4 weeks, the fog I was living in lifted and I felt better than ever! This was the second time went through detox and after the first time, I used Celexa - and once I began feeling good. Unfortunately I stopped and relapsed. Stopping Celexa without tapering was the equivalent to hitting a wall of great sadness. I have been clean and sober for over 90 days and I believe Celexa plays a huge role in my decision making process."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 28, 2009

For Depression "I started taking Celexa in Nov '08 and continued it for seven months. My depression disappeared and I was doing a whole lot better. Normality returned and I had no side effects other than a little weight gain which may not have been due to the drug. I was eating popcorn every night! Anyway, since I felt better I decided to stop taking it in May 09. Well, my depression returned. It's funny, this time I felt it coming on but didn't do anything about it until it was full blown. I started taking Celexa again three days ago (Aug 23) and, poof! Most of my poor mood is gone and I feel so much better already. I'm not stopping again. This medicine is great!"

10 / 10
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168 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 16, 2014

For Depression "Celexa has changed my life in 5 days! Thanks to a doctor who finally understood what was wrong with me after suffering excruciating physical pain for at least 10 or more years. I feel lIke a new person. Have had more energy in the last 5 days than I have for 5 years! Suffering from some insomnia but I am sure that will go away. - 51 year old female"

10 / 10
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  • Emma...
  • April 16, 2015

For Depression "I was hesitant for years to ever be put on medicine for anxiety/depression, but once it had significantly gotten worst into my "adult" years (mid-20's), I decided it was time. I cannot say enough amazing things about Celexa. I have been on it for a little over two weeks (10 mg starting out and now 20mg) and wow. My only regret is that I didn't get put on this way sooner! My emotional state is so much better, I am rarely irritated, and I can deal with everything so much better without going absolutely crazy. It's truly amazing. I did have side effects at first- headache, light-headedness, going to the bathroom a lot, stomach upset, lump in my throat, clinching my jaw, but it was worth all that once I got past it!"

10 / 10
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  • Miss...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 31, 2015

For Depression "Celexa was a miracle for me. I was struggling with debilitating depression and anxiety, but after 6 weeks on Celexa, I feel almost myself again. It does take the full 6-8weeks to kick in, so make sure you give it at least a few months to get all the benefits."

10 / 10
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118 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.