Citalopram and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "Worst drug ever. Side effects: tinnitus, loss of appetite, shakiness, vision issues, breathing issues. Rubbish drug all around. After experiencing these side effects, I stopped poisoning myself with this foul drug. The withdrawal effects of this poison came to the fore. Walking 2 streets to a grocery store, my chest seized in agony, I could barely breathe. I was visibly shaking. Upon return, 1 street away from home, I dropped to my knees, groceries on the ground, gasping. 1 street later, at home, I could not go up the stairs, as all parts of my body were shaking. It took approx 1 hour to get up 6 stairs. This drug is poison. I'm wondering who was paid to approve this junk. I will instruct my doctor to remove it from their recommendations."

• Anonymous
• April 16, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking Celexa for three weeks. I did have side effects such as some nausea, decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, fuzzy-headedness, drowsiness, and a small headache. These side effects got better each day. After a week of being on a 10 mg dose, the side effects were very minimal. Then I increased to 20 mg, and the side effects started over again and got better after a week. I am not 100% yet, but I am far from where I came from. Looking forward to each passing week as I know it will keep getting better. I was afraid to take this medication. It sat in my cabinet for a few months until I couldn’t stand myself anymore. I took a Klonopin with my first dose, and it helped a lot. Then I took a Klonopin when I increased my dose to 20. Have not had any Klonopin other than those two days. The Celexa does a great job at abating the anxiety, and my only regret is not starting it sooner. Didn’t rate it a 10 because it makes me super tired. Each day that feeling lifts a little more."

• SJ2...
• June 1, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I'm on my second day of citalopram and on a 20 mg dose, so far, I've felt awful. I've had a little bit of nausea, hot sweats, my head feels spaced out, I'm tired but I can't sleep, and I've lost motivation to do anything. I've also lost my appetite, too. I'm on the verge of giving up after seeing a lot of reviews say side effects can last weeks because I'm not sure I can continue feeling this rubbish for a few weeks, the only thing keeping me going is people who say it does get better."

• Car...
• October 28, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking citalopram for a long time, and I noticed that when I first started to take it, I got shakes like a hypoglycemia attack and loss of appetite, but both stopped within a few days. I have also developed a tremor in my left hand (common side effect in SSRIs), but it doesn't really cause problems. I find it so effective because when I was weaned off it, my anxiety slowly got worse until I had an anxiety attack almost every week, but the week I was put back on it, I was overall less stressed and anxious and could let things roll off instead of bothering me."

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2017

For Depression "I started on 20 mg for major depression and anxiety. I did get bloating and nausea for about 3 weeks, which was manageable, and decreased appetite (good because I'm overweight). It helped but not as much as I'd liked, so my doctor moved me to 40 mg. Same side effects as before. Nausea went away after 3 weeks. I feel a lot better at this dose. My depression is like 1/10 now, and my anxiety has gone down a lot! I'm going out and making friends, I was the kind of person who'd make plans and cancel and be very anxious in social situations. I also get less panic attacks (it takes more than it used to in order to trigger one). This drug saved my life. I don't want to be without it. Just get through the side effects and wait, this won't work overnight."

• Jaf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on citalopram for about 8 weeks. The first 4 weeks I was on 10 mg, and I could notice a difference in myself, but felt I needed a stronger dose because my anxiety was still there. I've been taking 20 mg, which is much better. I feel calmer and don't get as anxious as I was. The reason for going on this medicine is because I started getting anxiety before leaving the house. I started getting obsessive about making sure plug sockets were switched off and the cooker was off. I struggled with social situations, and I used to panic before leaving the house for work, which would upset my stomach. I did suffer some side effects with this to begin with: very tired, yawning a lot, low sex drive (failure to orgasm), loss of appetite."

• Dor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I’ve been on 10 mg of citalopram for a few years, no real side effects apart from a tickle of a cough now and again. My depression and anxiety got quite bad recently, so my doctor increased me to 20 mg, which seemed to do great for a week. Then I guess the medication really started to kick in, as I’ve been coughing constantly, a dry tickle cough which gives me real bad headaches, and also I have been sweating real bad (never one to normally sweat this bad). Can’t sleep, although I’m tired, and my appetite seems to have vanished, which isn’t good for a type 1 diabetic. Will be going back to my GP Monday morning to change these, as I cannot live with feeling like this, just feel dreadful."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I’m on week 2 of the 10 mg dose, and so far, haven’t seen any improvement. I know it takes a few weeks to work, but the side effects suck (shaking, fatigue, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite). Praying things get better soon, cause I can’t afford to lose any more weight, and my panic attacks are affecting my work."

• Ale...
• August 17, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I've only been taking this medication for a week, so I can't say whether or not it will work, but so far, side effects have been anxiety heightened more than before, which is the primary reason for me taking it. I wake up in full-blown panic, and it's happened throughout the day as well. I have a lack of appetite and cannot sleep through the night. At one point, I even had suicidal thoughts, which I have never had in my life. Keep in mind this medication affects everyone differently."

• Kco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I started citalopram 10 mg on September 1st for anxiety. Had anxiety really bad for years, I just thought it was who I was. Couldn't drive long distances or be in a crowded place too long, overactive thoughts non-stop. So I decided I needed something as it was affecting my life. I caved and tried citalopram. The first week was awful, I was yawning non-stop, nervous, and I couldn't eat, etc. The following week had a couple of days where I was OK. How wrong I was. On the 25th day of taking it, I woke up at 4 a.m. in severe panic and had a panic attack that lasted for two and a half days. Then it hit my mood, I went so low I think it was impossible to go any lower. I've never felt like that my entire life. I didn't sleep for three days, I didn't eat, so I stopped. My anxiety calmed down, but my thoughts didn't improve. It made me depressed when before I wasn't. It's been over a month, I'm still not myself, my mood is so low I have intrusive thoughts. It messed me up. I'm a bit better now, getting there slowly. Started for anxiety, now it gave me depression."

• Kay...
• December 22, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "8th day on this drug and it’s horrible. I feel no change whatsoever. I haven’t been able to get out of bed, I have no motivation, suppressed appetite, dizzy.... I’m not taking this rubbish anymore!!"

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I am now on Day 14 of 20 mg per day, and every day has been awful. Total fatigue, diarrhea, shaking body, horrible thoughts, lack of appetite, agoraphobia, etc., etc. Sometimes, around late afternoon into the evening, I start to feel a little bit better. I spoke to my doctor on Day 10, and he suggested taking the tablet at night. I haven't managed to do that yet, as I felt my body was craving the drug in the morning. I have decided this morning to wait till night to take it. I cannot help but think all of this is not worth it, and I will never get any better."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I’ve been on citalopram 10 mg for around 10 days now. I will be honest, the first 5 days were absolutely brutal. Nausea, lack of appetite, panic attacks, and insomnia. But I’m so glad I stuck through it. I’m on day 10 and I feel like my normal self again. I started out taking it at night because it was said to cause drowsiness. But after a week of no sleep, I decided to switch to taking it in the mornings, and I finally started sleeping through the night."

• rev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2022

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "At the beginning of this year, I started experiencing severe depression and anxiety. I went on Celexa about 4, almost 5 weeks ago (20 mg). So far, I don't notice any improvement in my anxiety. I am concerned that the medication is adding to my anxiety, but I'm going to keep taking it because I heard it can take up to 6-8 weeks to kick in. Really hoping that will be my case. My symptoms lately have been anxiousness, chest tightness, loss of appetite, sweating/nervousness... and again I'm not sure if these symptoms have been influenced by the Celexa or not. I'm assuming the best thing to do is keep pushing through and I may be a case where it can take 2 whole months to kick in."

• Che...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 5, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have OCD. I take citalopram. I was on 40 milligrams and learned I have AFib. My doctor reduced it to 20 milligrams, and I am doing fine. I have been on citalopram for about 10 years now. Prior, I was on generic Paxil. It gave me an appetite. My former physician changed me to citalopram. Doing well on it."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2011

Citalopram for Depression "Be careful when taking this medicine. Very helpful to relieve depression, but will interfere with your sleep. After only taking it for 4 days, I was fired for falling asleep on the job because I did not hear the phone or the knock on the dept door. I do not remember going to sleep as I usually would, and normally I'm a very light sleeper. It also made me sweat a lot, and I lost the ability to cry. On the good side, it relieved my depression, I lost my appetite, and my thoughts became much clearer."

• sam...
• January 22, 2020

Citalopram for Postpartum Depression "Initial symptoms, premenstrual dysphoric syndrome. Extreme irritability in evenings the week before the period. While I used to be fine after the period, I started having a depressed mood. The only time of the month feeling good was around ovulation. Started on 10 mg. First week, queasiness, dizziness, no appetite, brain fog. Allowed self to eat junk or whatever sounded appealing. Protein shakes. Initial effects improved after the first week. No real notable difference. After a few weeks increased to 20 mg. Lack of appetite returned. Started having excruciating headaches, tension headaches, and clenching of jaw. Worsened depression. No motivation or desire to do anything. Headaches resolved. At 7-8 weeks. Extremely tired. Sad, blah, heavy face feeling. Anxiety may be worse. Probably less irritable, but don’t feel the other side effects are worth it. Felt better the next day after decrease to 10. Then switched to Paxil and have had no side effects and doing well one month in!!!"

• sam...
• January 22, 2020

Citalopram for Postpartum Depression "Initial symptoms, premenstrual dysphoric syndrome. Extreme irritability in evenings the week before the period. While I used to be fine after the period, I started having a depressed mood. The only time of the month feeling good was around ovulation. Started on 10 mg. First week, queasiness, dizziness, no appetite, brain fog. Allowed self to eat junk or whatever sounded appealing. Protein shakes. Initial effects improved after the first week. No real notable difference. After a few weeks increased to 20 mg. Lack of appetite returned. Started having excruciating headaches, tension headaches, and clenching of jaw. Worsened depression. No motivation or desire to do anything. Headaches resolved. At 7-8 weeks. Extremely tired. Sad, blah, heavy face feeling. Anxiety may be worse. Probably less irritable, but don’t feel the other side effects are worth it. Felt better the next day after decrease to 10. Then switched to Paxil and have had no side effects and doing well one month in!!!"

• Gir...
• March 9, 2012

For Depression "I have been using this medicine for 5 weeks. I started on 20 mg at night. Physical side effects included excessive sleeping, dizziness on waking (lasting about 2 hours), substantially reduced libido, teeth grinding, and no appetite. Other side effects were a feeling of 'disconnection' from my emotions, forgetfulness, and repeating tasks. So, whilst the medicine alleviated the depression symptoms, it was impacting substantially on other aspects of my life. HOWEVER, I revisited my GP and requested a reduction. I am now on 10 mg per day. The difference is phenomenal - I feel hopeful and able to cope, still don't have an appetite or 'normal' libido but can work around those issues! I guess it's all about finding the CORRECT dosage for YOU."

• liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2015

For Depression "Celexa has helped to improve my mental status, but the physical symptoms/side effects are another story. In the month I've been taking it, I've had headaches, nausea/upset stomach, extreme fatigue, some insomnia, diminished appetite, and more. I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow to get off of this medication."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2017

Citalopram for Depression "I was prescribed this a few weeks ago but had to stop taking it. I currently take Seroquel (Quetiapine) 100 mg and was not sure why the psychiatrist would prescribe the Celexa (Citalopram) as I had been informed by a pharmacist that combining Seroquel and Celexa is dangerous and could possibly cause heart problems. There is a major drug interaction between those two meds, as that would explain why my chest was hurting and my depression actually got way worse. I also didn't have an appetite at all while on the Celexa, so I had to just stop taking it. Horrible drug."

• Nev...
• April 5, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed citalopram after my dad unexpectedly passed away. Within 48 hours of taking it, I started having significant side effects like loss of appetite, increased anxiety, and, for the worst part, a complete lack of sex drive and the inability to climax. I have always had a very healthy sex drive and am involved in a committed relationship. I was encouraged by my doctor to continue taking it for 30 days since these side effects were 'normal' for the drug. After 30 days, nothing had changed and I started really wishing I had my sex drive back - so did my girlfriend! At that point, I stopped taking it. After 2 months of being off of the drug, my sex drive still has not returned, which has honestly wrecked my life. I'm now learning that for some people, this drug can wreck your sex drive for life. I can't even express how frustrating this is. Unless you are prepared to not have sex for the rest of your life, I would strongly caution everyone to run away from this drug."

• Jes...
• April 16, 2012

Citalopram for Depression "Celexa has definitely helped me get back to my normal self, but I've only been taking it a week (started with 10 mg for a few days and now I'm at 20 mg), and it has completely taken away my appetite. I have thrown up every day, sometimes multiple times a day, but I feel great otherwise. Happiness comes a lot easier, so I'll deal with the excessive vomiting for a while since I need to lose some weight anyway."

• Gil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I started on Cipromil 20 mgs 14 days ago for anxiety and depression. The side effects have been shocking: nausea, increased anxiety and panic attacks, feeling tired but unable to sleep, no appetite, weight loss, and fear that it won’t work for me! I read that some feel better from day one, I only wish that could have been me."

• Muj...
• March 5, 2009

For Depression "I have been taking this medication for 18 months after struggling with chronic depression my entire life. In the beginning, I had severe side effects, including reduced appetite, uncontrollable yawning and jaw stress, insomnia, and sweating. Despite the frustration with these effects, I still noticed a considerable change in my mood and anxiety level. These many months later, I am still noticing a much better level of mood stability and social confidence. Unfortunately, I have almost no sex drive and can rarely reach orgasm. I am hoping to try to go off the drug this year and am assured by my therapist and psychiatrist that this will ready itself. I highly suggest to anyone on antidepressants to medicate while in committed talk therapy."