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citalopram

i've just started taking citalopram for depression, does anyone know how bad the side effects can get? is it worth it? citalopram is in the same class of drugs as prozac etc. i think...

not even sure i should really be taking it as my doctor seemed reluctant to give me anything (but i really don't want counselling)

are these sort of drugs addictive?

Reply 1

gyrase

3

possible side effects:
- dry mouth (dehydration)
- dizziness
- hallucination

It is not addictive, but chemical shifts in the brain due to irregular usuage of the medication may cuase mood swings.

Reply 2

lskdgjsj

10

Anonymous

i've just started taking citalopram for depression, does anyone know how bad the side effects can get? is it worth it? citalopram is in the same class of drugs as prozac etc. i think...

Yes, it's an SSRI like prozac; pretty common first line treatment for depression. There are a great many side effects, which should have been listed on a leaflet inside the box. The minor side effects, like dry mouth, nausea, headache, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, &c., are common. The much more dangerous side effects like convulsions are rare. Generally speaking the side effects, if you experience any, will go away after a few weeks.

It is important, however, if you do find that the drug works (and you will need to give it a month or so to be sure that it's having some effect) that you don't simply stop it as soon as you feel better. It's generally recommended that you continue it for at least six months after that point to lessen the chance of a relapse.

Reply 3

hallowsfanatic

I took citralopram, and didn't really suffer any side effects, although it varies from person to person. Personally, i thought this drug was a wate of space, but again it varies person to person.

good luck with it though

Reply 4

Fluffy

15

Hollz

I took citralopram, and didn't really suffer any side effects, although it varies from person to person. Personally, i thought this drug was a wate of space, but again it varies person to person.

good luck with it though

Citalopram the most selective SSRI for noradrenaline (prozac is more selective for seratonin). SSRIs are the 'safest' antidepressants on the market in terms of dangerous side effects.

The more 'common' side effects are: drowsiness, nausea, diarrhoea, and a specific type of fast heart rate (sinus tachycardia).

Very, very, very rare side effects are a specific type of slow heart rate (junctional bradycardia), seizures, high blood pressure (hypertension) and influenza-like symptoms.

However, ever the more 'common' side effects are rare with citalopram, as it's the 'weakest' SSRI in terms of seratonin selectivity.

Edit: here's a list of side effects from a fairly easy to understand website (most 'medical' terms used are linked to explanations of the term). http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=-1167392748&linkID=30457&cook=yes

Reply 5

ben!

1

My Dad's on it - as far as I know the side effects are limited to what's already been mentioned.
Don't know about the dry mouth side of it etc, but he actually wants to come off them so as far as addiction goes... Of course it's all down to the individual methinks. I'm led to believe it's one of the milder forms of antidepressant that GPs prescribe

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

OP

thanks everyone...i'm also glad to know its one of the milder drugs since i like to think i can get through this mostly by myself :p:

hopefully it will help, and i won't have to take it for long...

Reply 7

guitargirl03

13

I'm on citalopram, and when I started taking I felt sick, tierd and occasionally dizzy. I also had the shakes and I lost weight... But that was extreme, and I don't think my people who take citalopram get any side-effects.

Reply 8

wendizzle22

1

My boyfriend has escitalopram (very similar) for anxiety.. he has experienced withdrawal symptoms such as 'electric shock sensations,' irritability and feeling fuzzy. He felt very anti-social at the time. Unfortunately when these finally stopped he found that the anxiety came back, so started taking them again and at a higher dose.

They definitely improve his problem when he is taking them, although he gets the electric shock sensations if there has been a longer than usual time between doses.

I think that they would be more effective over the long term when combined with cognitive therapy.

Reply 9

guitargirl03

13

wendizzle22

My boyfriend has escitalopram (very similar) for anxiety.. he has experienced withdrawal symptoms such as 'electric shock sensations,' irritability and feeling fuzzy. He felt very anti-social at the time. Unfortunately when these finally stopped he found that the anxiety came back, so started taking them again and at a higher dose.

They definitely improve his problem when he is taking them, although he gets the electric shock sensations if there has been a longer than usual time between doses.

I think that they would be more effective over the long term when combined with cognitive therapy.

Cognitive therapy is really good. I had an 'introduction' session, and I felt better after an hour...

The electric shock sensations don't sound very pleasant. Does your boyfriend get the sensations all the time?

Reply 10

Anonymous #1

OP

guitargirl03

Cognitive therapy is really good. I had an 'introduction' session, and I felt better after an hour...

The electric shock sensations don't sound very pleasant. Does your boyfriend get the sensations all the time?

whats cognitive therapy? :confused:

Reply 11

devilgirl999

1

hi there ive been on citalopram for 2 years and the only side effect ive had from it is insomnia, the good effects from citalopram definately outweigh the side effects hope that helps.

Reply 12

Fluffy

15

Anonymous

whats cognitive therapy? :confused:

CBT is a 'talking' therapy that trys to get to the bottom of the way your think so that you can modify your behaviour and therefore avoid thinking in your old way (if that makes any sense!).