Issues with citalopram?

[Beccag]

I have been taking citalopram for maybe 5 months or so now as I got prescribed this after taking sertraline. Last week I went 6 days without taking it (20mg usual dose) because I ran out and didn't have time to pick any more up. I have since restarted as of 3 days ago and feel exhausted and very anxious with bad stomach pains. Is this because of the break I had and start up symptoms again? Thanks!

[Josh1234]

Ummm, yes. 6 days?!? Nothing you could have been doing should have made you stop your anxiety meds that long.

[lior]

Yes, you might have underestimated how powerful this stuff is. For me, if I miss one day, I get weird dreams and start thinking in a strange way about reality. I missed two or three days a month or two ago, and it made me feel bad for maybe a week and a bit, but starting a few days afterwards. I slept less, my sex drive went up - but I was emotionally haywire.

Be really serious about this - the side effects are not pleasant, as you now know. Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing you can do about the side effects - you just have to stick it out, and stay consistent.

[spanishbasqueheart]

Just started on Citalopram 10mg (should have been on them a long time ago but GP didn't listen to Epilepsy Specialist Nurse) have found them helpful to get rid if most of my panic attacks and the health anxiety but only been on them 2 weeks and a break of 2 days due to GP not following me up as promised due to her being on holiday thank goodness another doctor gave me a 2nd course. Only side effect I've had is waking up too early muscle aches xx

[LiveAboveIt]

Yes, you might have underestimated how powerful this stuff is. For me, if I miss one day, I get weird dreams and start thinking in a strange way about reality. I missed two or three days a month or two ago, and it made me feel bad for maybe a week and a bit, but starting a few days afterwards. I slept less, my sex drive went up - but I was emotionally haywire.

Be really serious about this - the side effects are not pleasant, as you now know. Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing you can do about the side effects - you just have to stick it out, and stay consistent.

Its funny you say that. Are the weird thoughts about reality an anxiety symptom? Im on Sertraline because my thoughts are so existential and cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Did meds help you with this?

[MyNameIsTerry]

Just started on Citalopram 10mg (should have been on them a long time ago but GP didn't listen to Epilepsy Specialist Nurse) have found them helpful to get rid if most of my panic attacks and the health anxiety but only been on them 2 weeks and a break of 2 days due to GP not following me up as promised due to her being on holiday thank goodness another doctor gave me a 2nd course. Only side effect I've had is waking up too early muscle aches xx

If it happens again for whatever reason, have a look on NHS Choices (easier to find with Google though) because there is an emergency prescription policy which applies to pharmacies so you can get around the need for a prescription if the meds should not be stopped.

---------- Post added at 06:06 ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 ----------


I have been taking citalopram for maybe 5 months or so now as I got prescribed this after taking sertraline. Last week I went 6 days without taking it (20mg usual dose) because I ran out and didn't have time to pick any more up. I have since restarted as of 3 days ago and feel exhausted and very anxious with bad stomach pains. Is this because of the break I had and start up symptoms again? Thanks!

Well you effectively went cold turkey so that alone could have been bad. At 6 days you would have gone just over 4 half lives of the med (half life for Cit is 35 hours) and this would be put you somewhere slightly under approx. 6.75% of the active drug. Under 5% is classed as clinically insignificant so you are nearly off the med by this point.

It's going to take some time to rebalance the drug in your blood plasma. Normally this is just under 7 days for Cit when altering a dosage, starting or withdrawing, etc. Hopefully it will be sooner though.

[spanishbasqueheart]

[QUOTE=MyNameIsTerry;1561975]If it happens again for whatever reason, have a look on NHS Choices (easier to find with Google though) because there is an emergency prescription policy which applies to pharmacies so you can get around the need for a prescription if the meds should not be stopped.

---------- Post added at 06:06 ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 ----------



Thanks for advice, doctor was in touch today to review my medication so here's hoping it can be put on repeat prescription xx