Horrendous reaction
Posted , 10 users are following.
Please can anyone advise? My daughter was prescribed CITALOPRAM to help with her anxiety. She took one single tablet and has been vomiting for the last 70 hours. She has also had numbness in her arms and legs and been shaky, hot and cold flushes and continued palpitations. She already decided that she wasnt going to take another one and being the weekend we cant contact the doctor and very reluctant to take her to hospital as this will make her anxiety much worse. I personally think she has been given too high a dose....20mg even though she is tiny, she only weighs 7 stone. She is 26. Can anybody offer any suggestions on getting through this until it leaves her system?
Thanks in advance.
0 likes, 8 replies
holly_t j59103
Posted
I'm afraid 20mg is the lowest therapeutic dose meaning anything lower would likely not have an affect. However i think doctors are completely clueless/naive about the side affects. I have taken it a few times and i learnt to start very low - around 2.5mg using a pill cutter for a few days/a week and then raise it.
having said that, that does sound like an EXTREME reaction to citalopram. I had insomnia, palpatations, increased anxiety. Vomiting for 70 hours sounds very concerning. She may be allergic or something. Perhaps speak to the doctor about trying something else like sertraline and build up very slowly.
Gianneli j59103
Posted
Do you happen to have any Xanax or something similar on hand that will help calm her symptoms down .
Aimee87 j59103
Posted
These are all normal side effects and will subside eventually if she carries on taking the tablets x
katecogs j59103
Posted
Yes, these are normal reactions to Citalopram though it seems your daughter may be a little more sensitive than others. It would be better for her to have taken 10mg or even 5mg (or less) and ease up to the require dose.
There should be an emergency number for a Doctor 24/7.
But ….. these are usual side effects 😦
lois95799 j59103
Posted
i take 10 milligrams of celexa and iam totally recover for the last 3years.hope your daughter heals quickly.best regards
Potatoghost j59103
Posted
I have to agree with everyone x everything she is experiencing is pretty normal when starting up. apart from the being sick for 70 hours straight. I know nausea and vomiting are common side effects but to that extent I'm not sure.
maybe 20mg was too high for her to start as some people need to start lower and work there way up. maybe starting on 10mg would have been a better idea and she may even recover on 10mg people are different. a lot of people do.
make sure she stays hydrated as he must be dehydrated from all the vomiting x let us know how she gets on x
is there an emergency number you can call for some advise?
natalie39598 j59103
Posted
i would agree that starting at 20mg seems a bit steep. i started at 5mg and recovered on 10mg. i refused to start at 20mg due to very severe reaction to sertraline previously when started at normal dosage. it turned out I did not need full 20mg anyway.
vomittingis quite concerning-some people have problems with the way SSRI impact Na levels in bloodand I would ask for that to be checked for sure and I would discuss with the doc trying much lower and seeing how it works if blood work turns out ok.
good luck!
marsh23433 j59103
Posted
Hi J59103/this sounds like a very bad reaction of Citrolopram .I also think that 20mgs is too high for the start of this medication.10 mgs should have been prescribed.Did your daughter take this on an empty stomach or after food