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How long does Citalopram take to work?

Posted , 148 users are following.

disco123
disco123

I've been prescribed Citalopram 20mg and have been taking it for 3 days now. I don't quite know how this works, but it's making me very anxious, gives me a dry mouth and fatigue. Is It to soon to see any changes? Should a give it a week or two?

16 likes, 165 replies

165 Replies

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  • lola98219
    lola98219 disco123

    Posted

    I have major anxiety that leads me to constantly blush and sweat out of my face.. i'm not going to lie being a girl and all it's been pretty hard on me. I am going to college in a couple weeks and just got prescribed citalopram 10 mg. I dont know what I should think of this.. Hopefully it works
  • katelyn1995
    katelyn1995 disco123

    Posted

    Hi there, My names Katie and I've just been put on CIT today by my doctor this is all new to me.. Any words of wisdom? Anything I should stay away from, or things that I should expect. Past couple of years have been hard for me, but i'm finally doing something for myself. 
  • LoveGod26
    LoveGod26 disco123

    Posted

    Hello,

    I'm glad I found this forum. I was started on this medication a week ago 20mg and I've been feeling anxious as well. I thought it was just me. It is reassuring to know that this feeling will go away but it's nerve wrecking. It seems like my appetite has decreased as well. Continue to share your experiences.

    • linda05005
      linda05005 LoveGod26

      Posted

      Hi my appetite is virtually non existent as well can just manage water. So scary but good to know I am not alone & hoping so much that it will get better x
  • linda05005
    linda05005 disco123

    Posted

    Hi also have been prescribed Citalompram I have been taking it for 4 days So far I have experienced one good day the rest seemed to have got worse & I feel like I am losing control. But after reading different messages I hope this is just side effects and that if I persevere I will feel better and get my life back
    • clairepop1
      clairepop1 linda05005

      Posted

      I've been on citalopram 20mg for several years with no problems. But recently increased to 30mg due to stress of selling/moving house. First two wks had bad side effects third week (last wk) they all went away but as I had a super busy wk when I stopped in weekend felt so tired then anxiety came back. Now in fourth wk feel exhausted as keep waking around 5am can't get back to sleep. This can make me anxious if I know I have things to do but feel so tired. I've read should give it 4-6wks and see how feel.
    • stephen35115
      stephen35115 linda05005

      Posted

      Hi 2linda, I too have just started taking it and yesterday being my first day I felt ok and had good nights rest. Today I took my tablet at 10.00am and by 4.00pm I was having panic attacks, they are continuing to come and go this evening so I contacted the psychiatrist and he said this is normal for the anxiety to increase in first few days and he reassures me this will settle down between 3-5 days. I was ready for stopping them but I think as one of the other blogger suggested, I was put on them because my stress levels were through the roof and I was having anxiety and depression so it could be a combination of both. Good luck with your journey.
    • linda05005
      linda05005 stephen35115

      Posted

      Hi yes hopefully it will get better for you. I have been on the tablets for 6 days now and at last I am starting to feel like I am gaining control I have had my best day today . yes I conclude that it does make you feel worse to start with very frightening but do persevere. It isn't easy but you will feel better. The fact that you are reacting to them so soon apparently means they will work for you. So hang in their . Chin up & good luck & best wishes for your recovery
    • stephen35115
      stephen35115 linda05005

      Posted

      Thank you for these encouraging words. I had a terrible nights sleep due to feeling 'wired' with anxiety but I had pretty much conceded this would happen due to the afternoon/evening I had. I take my next tablet at 10.00am and will just take it a day at a time. I am so grateful I found this forum as I had no idea how common the initial increase in anxiety symptoms can be.

      Thank you again.

    • brandy78
      brandy78 linda05005

      Posted

      I started taking 20 mg.going three days.almost forgot.just took it.aroind 10:30 pm.whn i remembered.my 3rd pill... Whn is best time to take? In morning? Cuz whn i get up.i always havr coffee..
    • Barrie79919
      Barrie79919 brandy78

      Posted

      Hi I told morning is best time to take though I inititially double checked this. I am only on day 6 think I sm feeling some benefits already, fingers crossed. How are you now ?
    • Bing121
      Bing121 clairepop1

      Posted

      Hi Just wondered how you are now? I have had my cit increased from 20mg to 30mg then after 2 weeks now 40mg due to selling/moving house. Anxiety coming & going still but also exhausted. Just wondered if it takes less time to work when already on them & they are increased. I am desperate for them to help. Its only been 5 days since I started the 40mg. Hope things settled for you. Thanks

  • andy23q
    andy23q disco123

    Posted

    Am I the only one who is suffering rapid heart beats from my Anxiety? I've had my heart looked at and its not beating abnormal just gets fast and my anxiety goes threw the roof, been told by two doctors that it's all my Anxiety I believe it is also but for some reason once it plays up i think to myself that something serrouise is wrong with me. Does anyone else think this way? I've been on citalopram for 2 days now every now and then I feel like it has calmed me abit but at night when I'm in bed it's the worse.

    • jazmin_80019
      jazmin_80019 andy23q

      Posted

      I get the fast heart beat but the Dr gave me clonezapam for when I get too anxious.
    • carol67984
      carol67984 andy23q

      Posted

      No, I am also having heart palpitations.  Very disconcerting.  It is worse at night.  Two days is not long enough tso feel the results from cit.  I tried Lexipro and had worse palpitations.  Sometimes I wish I'd never started but have heard its worse stopping  A rock and a hard place.  Prayers Andy.

    • Bayside925
      Bayside925 andy23q

      Posted

      Andy ?? hey I just started Cit it’s my 3rd night, I don’t feel any differently, but the Doc says it will take up to 4 weeks to take effect. I too have the rapid heart beat like it wants to come out of my chest, very heavy anxiety, and a disconnected feeling, Iam going to stick with it, I’ve heard nothing but positive results. I see your post is from a year ago, just curious how you are doing now ?

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