Citalopram and antibiotics

[Joni-m]

Hi. My citalopram was raised to 40 mg 3 weeks ago, still not sure it’s right for me as I suffer from stress induced anxiety not depression. I’ve been on amoxicillin for the past 4 days for a urine infection and have been feeling more anxious since then. Just wondering if it could be the combo of the 2 meds and if this has happened to anyone else. I know there are no medical/ clinical interactions between the 2.

[lorianxiety]

hi I was offered citraoplam last year as I felt the new gp was only interested in swopping my almost 30yyr dependency on 5mg diazepam,and bith my stress and anxiety levels were too high to make any adjustment-gp was not in the least bit helpful,in fact ive never felt so stressed at his abrupt way of weaning me off this anxiety tranquilliser.. if your taken amoxicillin for urine infection ,its recently been in the news that gps should stop dishing out anti-biotics,cranberry juice or something similar is supposed to be ideal-im surprised too that this gp has given you 40mg Citralopam---its quite a large dose ,have you been taken them,and how are you feeling now?

[Joni-m in reply to lorianxiety]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I started taking Citalopram back in March after I pretty much had a breakdown after 2 years of stress. The citalopram has built up gradually since then from 10mg to 20, then 30. I’ve now been on 40 for about 4 weeks. I think maybe I am starting to feel a bit better - I’ve been hibernating in my room for most of the time, with a fear of going out in case of a panic attack, but over the last few days have started doing a bit more. As for the antibiotics, they are ones I’ve had before for urine infection and they are working - last dose today. I’ve been drinking cranberry juice as well.

Have you been given something to replace your diazepam. I was also given diazepam back in March, 2mg 3 times a day. I did that for a few weeks then decided to wean myself off them with the agreement of my GP. First I halved the morning one then after a few weeks halved the afternoon one, kept the bedtime one at 2mg as I think it helps me sleep. I’ve now slowly cut out the morning and afternoon altogether and just take the bedtime one although I will cut that down as well. I do still have a prescription for them on an ‘as needed’ basis.