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I’m on a really low dose of Citalopram and 4 weeks in feel so tired

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judith52739
judith52739

Can anyone give advice please? I'm very sensitive to medication and after having taken 10mg for the first week and experiencing severe nausea, I'm now on 5mg every other day at the recommendation of my doctor. It has helped with my anxiety quite a bit already but I'm feeling so tired. Part of the original problem was tiredness so I really needed these meds to give me an energy boost. Will this subside? I'm a real lightweight, hence low dose. Hate the idea of trying another one-don't they all cause tiredness?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Charlie_T
    Charlie_T judith52739

    Edited

    The tiredness should reduce with time. I took mine in the evening to start with to try and sleep off some of the effects - this seems to be a hit and miss approach i.e. works for some and not for others.

    Citalopram has a mild antihistamine effect so this might explain some of the tiredness.

    • judith52739
      judith52739 Charlie_T

      Edited

      Thanks for the advice. I'll keep going with it for at least the next couple of weeks until my next review. I already take it at night but really struggle with the tiredness each afternoon. I find that walking really helps to deal with it at the moment.

  • Hope3578
    Hope3578 judith52739

    Edited

    Yes the fatigue is something I struggled with alot. I'm 9 weeks in now and overall my energy levels have returned back to normal. I'd say they started to get better around the 5th/6th week.

    I am very sensitive to medication too, I'm on 10mg and take mine every morning around 9am. I had very bad nausea at the beginning and it did finally ease. I've had a dip recently due to a brand change in the medication, so the tummy ache and tiredness returned for a week, but coming back out the other side. That's great that's its helping the anxiety, keep going. You need to let this medication have atleast 8 weeks to fully work. Some need longer. Also be prepared that if you do increase you may experience the side effects again for a little while, but not as severe.

    • judith52739
      judith52739 Hope3578

      Edited

      Thanks for the advice Hope, it's encouraging that you've had a similar experience and now report more energy which is the holy grail for me. I shall persevere as I hate the idea of changing, and I can feel the benefits already. All the best.

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