What is citalopram 20 mg used to treat?
Citalopram is used to treat depression, including major depressive disorder (MDD). It is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines are thought to work by increasing the activity of a chemical called serotonin in the brain.
What are the side effects of citalopram 20 mg?
Common side effects
- Dry mouth. Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets.
- Sweating a lot. Try wearing loose clothing, use a strong anti-perspirant and keep cool using a fan if possible.
- Being unable to sleep.
- Feeling sleepy, tired or weak.
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Headaches.
- Feeling sick (nausea)
When is the best time of day to take citalopram 20mg?
You can take it at any time of day, but it’s best to stick to the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If you have trouble sleeping, it’s best to take it in the morning.
How long does 20mg citalopram take to work?
It may take 1 or 2 weeks before citalopram starts to work on your symptoms. It usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks before you feel the full benefits. This is because it takes around a week for citalopram levels to build up in your body, and then a few weeks longer for your body to adapt and get used to it.
Does citalopram calm you down?
An SSRI like Celexa can prevent serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells that previously released it. This simple act can improve mood, reduce feelings of anxiety, and decrease the severity of panic attacks and other panic disorder symptoms.
Does citalopram 20 mg make you sleepy?
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and fluoxetine (Prozac), taken for depression or anxiety, can make you feel sleepy.
What should you avoid when taking citalopram?
Avoid drinking alcohol or taking illegal or recreational drugs while taking citalopram.
…
7. Interactions
- anticoagulants (blood thinners), such as warfarin, or other drugs that have blood-thinning effects such as aspirin or NSAIDs.
- anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, or primidone.
How long can you stay on citalopram?
Most people take citalopram for 6 months. But in some instances, a doctor may prescribe this substance for 9 months. Long-term use of antidepressants may put people at risk for type 2 diabetes, and SSRIs may cause heart rhythm abnormalities at higher doses.
Can you stay on citalopram for life?
So, how long can you stay on citalopram? Since depression can vary in severity, there’s no set length of time for which antidepressants like citalopram are prescribed. However, it’s normal to use citalopram for several months, or even several years, in order to treat depression.
What happens when you first start taking citalopram?
Starting out with some side effects
The first day of taking the pills, they made me feel nauseous. A few days later it got much worse and I was very tired and too dizzy to stand up. I had to call in sick to work and just lay on my sofa (crying a lot because I felt so awful).
Should I take citalopram in the morning or at night?
You can take Celexa at any time of day. But it’s best to take it at the same time every day so you don’t forget a dose. If you start taking Celexa and find that you’re having trouble sleeping, try taking it in the morning. This may make it less likely that you’ll have trouble falling asleep.
Does citalopram make you feel weird at first?