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Citalopram (Citalopram) - Reviews, Ratings, Comments by Patients

 
 



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Below are Citalopram reviews, ratings, comments submitted by patients and caregivers. Based on a total of 33 ratings/reviews, Citalopram has an overall score of 6.76. The effectiveness score is 7.27 and the side effect score is 6.55. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. This information is not vetted and should not be cosidered as clinical evidence.
 

Citalopram review by 43 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   20 mg taken once per day for the period of two months
Other conditions:   anxiety
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I no longer felt depressed. I felt back to "my old self" and able to function normally in everyday activities.
Side effects:   When I first began taking this medication I had urgent need to urinate throughout day and night. This effect went away after about a month of taking the medication.
Comments:   I took one pill every morning.

 

Citalopram review by 37 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Antianxiety/Depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken once per day for the period of 1 week
Other conditions:   Could not concentrate/Worry
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   There weren't any significant benefits.
Side effects:   I felt groggy, sick to my stomach and had a general "heavy" feeling all of the time. Also gave me a mild headache
Comments:   Only required to take it once a day with meals

 

Citalopram review by 39 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   30 MG taken 1 per day for the period of 2 yrs.
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   N/A
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   less tired, more optimistic, more energy, no more depression
Side effects:   sweating
Comments:   I started taking Citalopram 2 yrs. ago for mild depression. I started at a 20 mg pill once daily. I notice approx. 1 yr. later I was still SLIGHTLY depressed, so my Dr. prescribed I move up to 30 mg. I felt great. In the fall, I noticed 'blue'. (S.A.D. ?) So my Dr. again prescribed that I move up to 40 mg throughout the winter months to see if that helps with seasonal affective disorder, & that I can start to ween myself back down to 30mg shortly before spring. The only side effect I've noticed so far, has been some mild sweating durting the night that started when I started taking the 40mg. Other than that, I have loved the way I feel since I've been taking Citalopram. So far so good.

 

Citalopram review by 47 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken daily for the period of 9 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Alleviation of mild depression, effective progressively after 3 weeks of start. Removal of anxiety.
Side effects:   Slight skin irritation, temporary. Dulling of mental activity, feeling of no concern regarding important subjects. Eventually feeling the drug was inhibiting overall life progress.
Comments:   20mg daily for 3 months, taken as one pill each evening 10mg daily subsequently for 6 months.

 

Citalopram review by 28 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression and anxiety
Dosage & duration:   40mg taken 1 time per day for the period of started fall 2007; still taking it
Other conditions:   NONE
Other drugs taken:   NONE
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The number one benefit was that it helped with the mood swings. I no longer felt like I was having a mental breakdown. I felt like I have had more control over my emotions, being that I could be upset and crying one minute and then just fine the next.
Side effects:   I had headaches for several weeks after taking this med. Along with insomnia. I also had some mild weight gain. After being on it for several months I lost my urge to be sexual active.
Comments:   I was instructed to take one pill a day, keep track of the side effects I was experiencing, then go back in for a re-check to make sure everything was going better. Everything had gotten alot better, so I continued at the same dosage and am still doing well today.

 

Citalopram review by 22 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg 2 months, 40mg 1 month taken 1 pill each morning for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I feel that the citalopram helps keep me calm. I no longer have mood swings as often. No longer feel the need to just stay at home bymyself. No longer want to leave work because of depressed moods.
Side effects:   First 2 days wicked nasea. I do sweat more than usual. Trouble sleeping at times.
Comments:   I started taking 20mg pills for a few months. I noticed that it would feel as though it was wearing off by 7pm or so. My doctor prescribed me up to 30mg for a week and then to 40mg for the rest of the month. Things seem better than on the 20mg. However I still get depressed at times and nothing seems to ever go right. Perhaps therapy will help which my doctor mentioned. Going to continue on the 40mg for a few more months and see if it helps if not I will make another apt at the doctor and see what she thinks weather we want to try and up the dose or try something different.

 

Citalopram review by 40 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   10mg taken every day for the period of 2 weeks
Other conditions:   migraine
Other drugs taken:   paracetemol
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   none particularly, i guess my appetite was reduced but after a while thats not a good thing. i only took them for 2 weeks so i didn't give then enough time to kick in and work probably because the side effects were too much to take
Side effects:   apathy, tiredness, sleeplessness, felt worse; emotionally numbing. I couldn't stay awake in the day and just wanted to lie down and had zero motivation to do anything. I also had bad headaches, different to my normal migraines.
Comments:   after 2 weeks stopped taking the drug - i felt ill for days afterwards then decided to improve my diet, exercise and attitude and now feel a lot better

 

Citalopram review by 29 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Anxiety disorder
Dosage & duration:   20mgs taken once a day for the period of 2 months and still going
Other conditions:   Narcolepsy
Other drugs taken:   dextroamphetimine, klonopin
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I sufffered from dibilatating panic attacks, but they only lasted 15-20 minutes max. I was taking klonopin every once and awhile which helped a little, but by the time the klonopin kicked in the attack was over. It got to where I had an attack at least every other day. The Citalopram kicked in in about 2 weeks and I've had only 1 episode since, granted I've only been on it for 2 months but it has worked wonders for me.
Side effects:   None that I have noticed.
Comments:   20 mgs. once a day.

 

Citalopram review by 45 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression/Bipolar Affective component
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken daily for the period of 5 yrs
Other conditions:   Nil
Other drugs taken:   Sodium Valproate/ Epilim
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Gradual improvement of mood. Reasonable results over the years, but not stable. Too afraid to try others.
Side effects:   Clenching - jaw, legs, arms, shoulder therefore pain in muscles, also very painful hips after sitting for any length of time, driving etc. Clenching has been getting worse over last 12 months. Sodium Valproate augments effect of Citalopram, so currently decreasing Sodium Valproate to see if it makes any difference.
Comments:   Citalopram 40mg to start with but too many side effects. Reduced to 20mg, less side effects, worked okay on mood..except I was swinging. Introduced Sodium Valproate, gradually increased it to 1g BD (twice day), has worked quite well up until recently where side effect profile is interferring with my life.

 

Citalopram review by 34 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression/anxiety
Dosage & duration:   20mg for 2mts 40mg after taken 1tablet per day with food for the period of 2mts+ ongoing
Other conditions:   n/a
Other drugs taken:   n/a
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I did not notice any benefit myself, although my wife felt I was less 'Snappy'. Hoping to get more benefits now I have moved up to a higher dose.
Side effects:   Waking up in the night and not being able to sleep. Shaking. Nervousness. Agitation. Sweating. Increased sex drive. Upset stomach/ flatulance. Tiredness. Dejavous.
Comments:   I am writing this having just been back to the GP's as I did not think it was working as well as it could do according to other reports. He raised me up to 40mg from an initial dose of 20mg. As you can see I have listed a lot of side effects, although to be honest these were not a problem and mostly gone by 10days of treatment. That is until I got raised to 40mg and now they are back with a vengeance. However, if it helps with the depression it will be worth it. I have my tablet with food as otherwise I get a dodgy stomach, but for some people they may need to take it without food for the same reason. Again, if it makes you tired, take on an evening, if it keeps you awake then take on the morning.

 

Citalopram review by 25 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken every morning for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I felt alot better about myself and not feeling depressed all of the time. Overall I do feel better about myself but I don't like the feeling from the side effects from this medication.
Side effects:   I had a bad headache, nausea, sudden feeling of cold sweats, insomnia, and stomach pain. I suggest that everyone that is going to take any depression medication, to seriously ask yourself if you even need it that bad because for me the side effects aren't worth taking the medication.
Comments:   I am taking citalopram for depression. I do not advise anyone to take this medication at all. I am not a doctor but I know how this medication made me feel and its not good.

 

Citalopram review by 39 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   anxiety, ocd
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken once a day for the period of 1 1/2 months
Other conditions:   hypothyroid, fybromyalgia
Other drugs taken:   Levothroid, Liothyronine
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Improved sleep considerably, relieved muscle pain, calmed anxiety, stabilized mood swings.
Side effects:   Initially I had a bit of nausea and extreme sleepiness the first week, but then that subsided and everything was great for a month. After that I began to experience itchy skin, but not enough to be bothered by it. Soon after that I then broke out in hives all over my body in the middle of the night several nights in a row. The itching was unbearable and I had to switch to a different medication.
Comments:   I took one dose a couple hours before bed each night. I also have regular therapy, yoga practice, daily exercise and healthy diet.

 

Citalopram review by 18 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Panic disorder and anxiety
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken 1 tablet at night for the period of Been taking it for 13 days so far
Other conditions:   IBS
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Made my panic attacks less frequent and less intense. Sometimes felt happy for no reason, in a good way, which helped alleviate some of my anxiety and stopped my worrying so much.
Side effects:   Tingling and burning sensations, insomnia, constantly hot, dizzy, feeling faint, feeling emotional, needing to pee often, racing heart - these occurred at different intensities and at different times. They sound bad, but they are much easier to cope with than my condition before I took the tablets.
Comments:   ?

 

Citalopram review by 22 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   anxiety/depreesion
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken 2 pd for the period of 2 years an counting
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   none!!!
Side effects:   i still feel very tired, no motivation, cant work, my body mind and feelings are numb, everything is still a struggle. ive tried talking to my gp about changing my meds but they say if i change i could get worse!!
Comments:   i started on 20mg pd then up to 40mg pd i feel the exact same as before i started taking them.

 

Citalopram review by 23 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   mood
Dosage & duration:   10mg taken once a day for the period of one year
Other conditions:   NA
Other drugs taken:   NA
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Mood was uplifted and dosage was easy (once daily). convenient dosage form
Side effects:   dizziness, drowsiness, decreased sex drive The full effect took a while to build up
Comments:   Patient mood was extremely low when treatment was started. Initial dose was 5mg, increasing to 10mg after 1 week. Started taking in the morning but caused too much drowsiness therefore changed to take in the evening

 

Citalopram review by 24 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Anxiety
Dosage & duration:   40 mg taken once a day for the period of in 2007
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   My doctor has this combined with Hydroxozine and I feel wonderful. I have taken Paxil, Lexapro and a few others since I was about 12. I would def. say that this drug combination has worked the best. The first two weeks I experienced withdrawls from my other med(Lexapro) but after that, I am great and back to new :)
Side effects:   For the first couple of weeks I had withdrawls from prior medication. But that is all I have experienced.
Comments:   I believe that this, and the hydroxozine are a miracle drug combo. I have suffered from anxiety since around age 7 and I finally have a "normal" life.

 

Citalopram review by 26 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression, Anxiety
Dosage & duration:   20mg to start, then 40mg taken every day for the period of 1 and 1/2 months at 20mg, 1 day at 40mg
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Decreased crying and depression. Decreased anxiety. Got rid of insomnia.
Side effects:   20mg - Mild nausea, stomach aches. Dry mouth. It made me very, very tired, so I take it before bed and sleep wonderfully. With 40mg dosage - increased sweating, faintness, nearly passing out.
Comments:   I started with the 20mg dosage and it seemed to be working pretty well until about a month in when I had a bad anxiety attack. After seeing the doctor, she upped me to 40mg. After one dosage of 40mg, I nearly passed out twice and started profusely sweating. My hearing also went all funny. The doctor advised me to drop back down to 20mg and then try to go back up to the 40mg. Emotionally, I felt better after the 40mg, even after nearly fainting, but the side effects were very bad.

 

Citalopram review by 27 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   mood
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken 1 a day for the period of 2 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   none
Side effects:   diahharea
Comments:   i have taken this drug just like i was instructed to, bu it did absolutely nothing for me. i would not reccommend this for anyone. i have found no effectiveness from this drug at all. i think it is a useless pill that should be removed from the market!!!!!!!!!!

 

Citalopram review by 31 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression, anxiety
Dosage & duration:   20 (dosage frequency: once daily) for the period of 4 months (and still on it)
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   Alprazolam, diazepam
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   After about 2 weeks, felt much calmer and less depressed. Stressful situations or emotional distress were experienced less acutely and I was able to deal with them much better. Overall feeling of 'who cares' but not to a bad extent. Also lost about 20 pounds which may be due to it acting as an appetite suppressant? Or maybe because it stopped my stress eating. Either way, nice side effect :)
Side effects:   Loss of weight- appetite suppression. Complete loss of sexual interest. Kind of a bummer but preferable to the depression. Also experienced an episode of intense confusion around the time it was supposed to be kicking in.
Comments:   Works great... Very happy with it, as alprazolam seems to have no effect on me.

 

Citalopram review by 32 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken once daily for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   N/A
Other drugs taken:   N/A
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Some symptoms of depression - crying all the time, dark thoughts - were lessened, although hard to know how much benefit the treatment gave all told or whether I would have come through it anyway as I had in the past.
Side effects:   When started on treatment: vivid images when eyes closed, trembling, anxiety, feeling of detachedness Throughout treatment: Insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns, some dizziness at times, muscular twitching, fidgeting and spasming, weight loss due mostly to fidgeting all the time Coming off treatment: what others have termed "brain shivers", a sort of brain zing which was very disturbing, crying, feeling like the depression was coming back
Comments:   20mg once daily for 5 months, weaning self off over 1 month decreasing dosage until 10mg every two days then stopped

 

Citalopram review by care giver of 33 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression
Dosage & duration:   50mg taken 1x for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None (just vitamin supplements)
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Patient was more mellow and not as angry or argumentative. Also suicidal ideation went away. Patient was able to keep a job for longer than one year and not get fired due to bad attitude.
Side effects:   Absolute loss of libido, lack of interest in sex. Extreme night sweats. Weird body odor. Ability to sleep for 12+ hours a night.
Comments:   The patient took the drug in the morning with breakfast.

 

Citalopram review by 36 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Rapid Cycling bi polar
Dosage & duration:   80mg taken every night for the period of 3 years
Other conditions:   Post traumatic stress, panic attacks
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Through taking this medication i basically have a stress free life. Being bi polar is crazy crazy stuff. I take 80mg of citalopram every night and wake up every morning able to function and care for my three children. Structure and routine is looking very possible. I now only have a flat day once every few weeks.
Side effects:   sleepiness but as time goes by your body adjusts to it. Compared to mood stabilizers and anti psychotic drugs citalopram is a dream drug. You do not gain weight! I have taken most of the usual bi polar meds and felt like a fat zombie. 80mg of cialopram really works.
Comments:   Started at 20mg and slowly went up. I did trial many anti psychotics with it. Although the other meds worked the side effects were revolting. So I have just stuck with citalopram 80mg. There is a huge huge difference from 40mg to 80mg. I became a lot less manic at 80mg infact i am basically never manic at 80mg. Really this dose levels me out and i recommend it for anyone who suffers rapid cycling bi polar. I have been on 80mg for over 18 months and the change is amazing!

 

Citalopram review by 38 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken once a day in the evening for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   That I felt able to function. The dose was perfect for my condition. Felt more calm and moods much better.
Side effects:   mild headache at the start, and loss of appetite.
Comments:   citalopram has made it possible for me to feel good whilst coping with depression. My only concern, like with any medication is becoming dependent.

 

Citalopram review by 44 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken 1x daiy for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I found that this drug immediately released alot of emotion - which was suprising. I wept for about a week - I had no idea what was going on at first, and then I realized that - I could actually FEEL my emotions. I felt normal and healthy. I regret going off of this drug too soon, as I did. I switched to Wellbutrin, which was not a good idea.
Side effects:   Mild drowsiness. Emotionalism.
Comments:   over the counter.

 

Citalopram review by 46 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg-40mg taken daily for the period of ten weeks
Other conditions:   vitamin d deficiency
Other drugs taken:   vitamin d
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I felt that i did not feel any benefits from this drug.
Side effects:   I felt more anxious than before starting on this medication, these effects lasted about ten days, i began having headaches which lasted about a week. I carried on taking citalopram for six weeks with no benefit, so my doctor increased the dose to 40mg daily. Four weeks later i decided to stop this medication as I felt like a zombie, as though my thoughts were on a go slow. I quit there and then, which i know is not advisable, but I just wanted to get this drug out of my system. The worst withdrawl symptom I had was the strange dreams/nightmares. I will never forget them, they were so vivid and funnily enough i had not had (remembered) any dreams for the previous five years.
Comments:   Starting dose 20mg daily. Increased to 40mg daily after initial six weeks.

 

Citalopram review by 57 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Insomnia
Dosage & duration:   40 mg taken 1/day for the period of 4 months
Other conditions:   Osteopenia
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I did notice right away a marked improvement in my insomnia and no longer require the clonazepam. I too felt a weight lifted off my shoulders and my disposition improved. I felt much better than I had in years. Little aches and pains in my lower back and hips which I've been treating throught the chiropractor, became more tolerable. My husband was pleased and thinks I'm much easier to live with. I didn't realize how grouchy and difficult I had become.
Side effects:   I have trouble waking and getting up in the morning. My lips are very dry and nothing seems to help. My mouth is also dry first thing in the morning, but improves as the day progresses. I yawn excessively. I don't have as much energy, I have to force myself to take an evening walk.
Comments:   Dr initially told me he thought my insomnia was depression. I was desparate. The sleep deprivation was making it hard to function at work and home. I agreed to take 20 mg of citalopram. My insomnia didn't completely subside, so I still was taking clonazepam .5 mg about every other night. After a month, the dr upped the prescription to 40 mg. I slowly made the transition from 20 to 30 then 40 mg.

 

Citalopram review by 40 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   suicidal feelings
Dosage & duration:   10 mg taken once a day for the period of 3 days
Other conditions:   alcoholism
Other drugs taken:   alcohol
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   None. When I was last encountering depression 10 years ago, my Doctor gave me some round green pills whose name I can't rememeber. They worked well, helping numb my depression as I sorted out my life. After recent suicidal feelings regarding a reactive depression to losing my job, my GP prescribed me Citalopram. I just wanted something to numb me again as things got better(which they did) but these tablets nearly sent me crazy.
Side effects:   I took one late at night hoping to feel sleepy at least, but had one of the worst nights sleep of my life. I encountered sweating,shakes, jaw grinding, and horrible hallucinatory dreams whilst still awake. My GP told me I had to take them for at least a fortnight to feel any effect so tried again the following night, but the side effects were even worse. The way my jaw and teeth would involuntairily chatter was scary as hell. If I did this every sleepless night for 2 weeks, I'd have ended up insane, so I stopped after after just 2 nights
Comments:   I never went back to the doctor. I was so desperate for a good nights sleep without teeth-grinding and nightmares, I fell back on alcohol. I've never taken Valium, but feel I should've been given something similar - somthing that would heavily sedate me while I was feeling suicidal. Luckily after a week, my fortunes changed, and I found work again, so the suicidal feelings went. But I would never take Citalopram again.

 

Citalopram review by 42 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression
Dosage & duration:   40mg taken daily for the period of One month
Other conditions:   Psoriatic Arthritis
Other drugs taken:   Sulfasalazine
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I found that the drug helped with mild depression/dysthymia.
Side effects:   I am not 100% sure that this was caused by the Citilopram, but I began to experience severe ringing (Tinnitus) in one ear. It has been a week since I tapered off the drug and the ear ringing has not yet subsided. The depressive symptoms have returned.
Comments:   40mg citilopram one per day.

 

Citalopram review by 31 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken once a day for the period of 1.5 week
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I feel better about myself and less anxious and depressed.
Side effects:   I have taken it for almost two weeks now and I feel really tired and increased yawning. I have taken it during the day and at night which in the morning I feel tired still.
Comments:   I take it once a day at 20mg per pill. I do better on it now then I do without it. So I will keep my fingers crossd and hope the sleepness goes away.

 

Citalopram review by 35 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Anxiety, Panic attack
Dosage & duration:   20mg/day taken 10mg twice a day for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I suffered from anxiety for years. My GP prescribed me the Citalopram after I got unfairly dismissed from my job. I didn't feel any difference for 2-3 weeks, then I felt great. I have been enjoying every second of my life since taking this drug.
Side effects:   I would say that the only side effect I found uncomfortable was that the drug made going to the toilet all the time. It gave me diarrhoea sometimes. I think that's to do with the additives
Comments:   I have been taking 10mg of Citalopram twice a day after food.

 

Citalopram review by 21 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Major Depressive Disorder/ Anxiety
Dosage & duration:   50 mg taken once daily for the period of 6 months and still taking it
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I was unable to get out of bed or see my friends. I hated going out to parties, going to class, or just interacting with people in general. After taking Celexa I found myself jumping out of bed in the morning and feeling ready to start my day. I started going out more on the weekends and my grades improved significantly. I was happy again and I felt like my life was getting back to how it was before I became depressed.
Side effects:   For the first month I had considerable nausea and headaches but those went away. The lasting effects however were dry mouth and dry eyes. I do experience the initial side effects whenever I increase my dose. I have also lost a lot of weight, about 15 pounds, due to the nausea and food aversion I experience from this medication.
Comments:   My psychiatrist put me on a low dose in October 2009 (20mg) which increased to 40 mg in two months. I am now currently taking 50 mg and it is working great.

 

Citalopram review by 57 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   depression/anxiety
Dosage & duration:   initially 10mg for month upped to 20mg taken 1 per day for the period of 2 months
Other conditions:   Asthma
Other drugs taken:   Ventolin, Seratide
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Cried less
Side effects:   Sent me virtually over the edge - extreme anxiety and continually snapping/shouting at everyone. Unable to concentrate, sleeplessness, dizzyness, very dry mouth, continuous clenching of teeth, all my joints painful.
Comments:   Have now been taking off the drug as my GP thinks I have an intolerence of the drug of which I told them off in the first instance. Feel worse now than I did initially as now so tired and unable to hold down my job, or in fact function in any positive way at all right now. Further advised that if I still feel depressed in a couple of weeks they will try prozac!

 

Citalopram review by 52 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Depression
Dosage & duration:   10mg taken daily for the period of ongoing
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Until 10 days ago never took an anti-depressant, GP encouraged me due to my fatigue, low mood, agitation and within 4-5 days I found myself much more laid back and smiling at people more, usually because something is said and I see a funny side to it. I know it ism supposed to take 6 weeks to work but I am changed or else back to myself. My husband is pleased as I have stopped shouting at him at the least thing. I have more energy and much more optimistic
Side effects:   palpitations at times, slight dizziness but decreasing each day
Comments:   10mg per day
 


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