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Can I take citalopram at night?

Posted , 5 users are following.

mari34228
mari34228

Hi, sorry if there is an answer to this already but I can't be bothered scrolling through the posts!

My GP has prescribed me citalopram today and I didn't think to ask her if it was ok to take it at night. I was recently on sertraline but came off it for various reasons after 6 weeks (with no improvements I should add). One of my problems with it was insomnia. For the first few weeks I didn't even bother trying to sleep before 3am. But also the whole six weeks I pretty much just lay under blankets on my sofa and slept. 

I'm a little worried about the citalopram having the same affect (as I have two kids to look after, and can't just neglect everything). Also she is starting me on very low dose as when I was on Citalopram for a short time 6 years ago it gave me racing thoughts and panic attacks (which I had never experienced previously). This usually happened at night. 

Has anyone found taking it at night instead might help allieviate such problems?

2 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • stevo1975
    stevo1975 mari34228

    Posted

    Hi Mari, plenty of folks take before bed so should be ok as long as keep the pattern to avoid withdrawls?
    • mari34228
      mari34228 stevo1975

      Posted

      Hi stevo, thanks! I assumed for some reason that they had to be taken in the morning. The only one I've taken at night before is Mirtazapine as that one helps you sleep. Anyway, I'll get started on the cit tonight then.

       

  • Marf
    Marf mari34228

    Posted

    Hi, I take mine at 8pm, I tried in the morning to start with  and it didn't work for me.  I'm nearly six weeks in and feeling better, my side effects have been quite bad but are slowly wearing off now xxx good luck xxx
    • mari34228
      mari34228 Marf

      Posted

      Hi Marf, I was going to take it at 9pm but on second thoughts I was in my bed by 8.45 last night! Not that I got to sleep till about 1am..grrr. Anyway, I think I'll take it at 8pm too.

      Good that you are managing to get thru the side affects and are starting to feel better. Hope it keeps improving for you. xx

    • Marf
      Marf mari34228

      Posted

      Thank you xx don't worry too much about the sleep as if you were in your bed then you were resting if nothing else xx hope tonight's good xxx
  • Sparkly40
    Sparkly40 mari34228

    Posted

    I have always taken mine at 8pm, I am on 20mg, has ur gp prescribed diaizipam ?? I take that in the morning if I am feeling anxious but only when I need it xx
    • mari34228
      mari34228 Sparkly40

      Posted

      Hi Sparkly, no diazepam for me. I took it for a while when I had a major meltdown a year ago but I think I'm more depressed than anxious at the moment! I'm sure that will change though (unless the cit works wonders), as it always does neutral

      Thanks for replying xx

  • dawn66355
    dawn66355 mari34228

    Posted

    Hi, I take mine in the morning, scared I will forget to take if I take at night, any advice as to changing over to taking at night, took one this morningg, so would I take another tonight or wait until tomorrow night, do you sleep better taking it at night rather than the morning? xx

     

    • Marf
      Marf dawn66355

      Posted

      Hey, sorry to jump in, I took mine in the morning for a couple of weeks and then swapped to nightime which has been better. I took one the following evening instead of the morning  (ie tomorrow night) on the doctors advice and it was fine. I'm on week 6 today and sleeping could be better but hopefully will soon improve xxx
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