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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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  • JJason
    JJason disco123

    Posted

    Great thread. In 1 week in and really struggling. 20mgs. Without the cit my anxiety dissipated at lunchtime now it lasts all day plus bad sleep, dry mouth and fatigue. I also look I’ll.  I can’t focus on anything else other than this feeling. Thanks to other posters as I feel I can work it’s it through now and wait for the clear days to return. Tks 
    • joanne58498
      joanne58498 JJason

      Posted

      Sleep disturbance is normal. Dry mouth too. I also found I would yawn a look and get a jittery jaw. The good days will return. Take care
    • merridah
      merridah JJason

      Posted

      Yes stick with it, I had dry mouth and struggled to get to sleep, once asleep I would have wacky dreams as well plus sweat profusely. I am really jittery as well like I can't keep tapping my foot!  Week 2 I was absolutely exhausted and had to have a sleep on my lunchbreak at work. Dry mouth and sweat seems to have gone now but now I am week 3 my anxiety is through the roof. Still having wacky dreams as well. 

    • joanne58498
      joanne58498 merridah

      Posted

      I have wacky dreams too. I'm 2 months in lol. That I can handle though . I do still get sweaty but it's probably my age lol xx

    • gilip
      gilip joanne58498

      Posted

      Hi Joanne just interested from the forum how are you feeling on cit now ???
  • Colemma1989
    Colemma1989 disco123

    Posted

    Hi I’ve been on 40mg for 5 years after post natal depression and I missed a few tablets as I was sick and on Thursday I had a major panic Atack and my anxiety has been through the roof since. I’ve been to the GP and I’m taking my tablets again now as normal since Saturday so today is Day 6. I just want to know if anyone else has ever missed them before and if you have the same side effects as when you first ever start them coz I’m having nausea, major anxiousness, suicidal thoughts, fatigue etc thanks in advance 🙏?? 

    • nucole36482
      nucole36482 Colemma1989

      Posted

      Yes, I kept forgetting mine for four months only taking 1-2 a week and it was awful. Back on them now though. Stick with it x
    • Colemma1989
      Colemma1989 nucole36482

      Posted

      Did you get all the side effects again when you started taking them and was your anxiety worse at the beginning if you don’t mind me asking x
    • nucole36482
      nucole36482 Colemma1989

      Posted

      As it was 4 months off, I got all the side effects. I am 6 weeks in and still suffering a bit x
  • jonathan_84046
    jonathan_84046 disco123

    Posted

    Hey so you been on this med for a while now I am only in my third week right now how is it??
  • vanessa08317
    vanessa08317 disco123

    Posted

    Hi everyone! I've been on it for 2 weeks, last few days a little better; at least I have appetite. I have read, it takes time to fully work. Years ago I took Fluoxetine which is also prescribed for anxiety and for me and my body took about 4 weeks to adjust and feel better (not all bodies are the same so I guess it may vary). Every little bit better counts so let's not give up.

    Things I try also that help are: meditation, listening to Positive Affirmations, exercise and keep a family member or friend closeby to talk to. 😊

    If things get much worse I recommend talking to Dr.

    Hope this helps.

  • suzanne1952
    suzanne1952 disco123

    Posted

    I've been on citalopram for 2 weeks. And barley slept at night.

    Since coming of Dosulopin after 18 years. My gp changed my meds. Wondering if anyone else has been the same on them

    Or could it be withdraw symptoms. From the ones I was on for so long. And starting new ones.??

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