New to Citalopram - So sleepy and tired - Anxiety Support

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New to Citalopram - So sleepy and tired

Chopper1975 profile image
17 Replies

Hi all.

I have been taking 10mg of Citalopram for the last 5 weeks without issue (bar a few initial manageable side effects). The plan was always for me to go up to 20mg which I started last week. I am sooooo tired since I started the 20mg. I’m yawning constantly and feel shattered all the time. The last few evenings I’ve been going to bed at 9pm as I can’t keep my eyes open. I'm normally very active but right now I have no energy. I normally take my tablet in the morning with breakfast. The extreme tiredness usually kicks in shortly after lunchtime/mid afternoon. I wondered if anyone else taking Citalopram had experienced this? I’m hoping it’s a side effect that will pass otherwise I may need to consider going back down to 10mg or coming off them completely as I can’t function feeling so sleepy, especially as I have a young family so need to be on the ball. Thanks.

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Chopper1975
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17 Replies
stde profile image
stde

As a e-citalpram user---keep on it at the moment when your body adjusts the tiredness will get less..........and ask your doctor if you may change what time you take them at.......you tiredness seems to kick in 4/6 hrs after taking it........what would happen if you took them at bed time??? or each day at 3pm....Ask your doctor as something as simple as this might help tremendously....... keep on truckin...ha ha

sunshine42 profile image
sunshine42 in reply to stde

Thank you so much. I tell its hard getting the meds in your system. Iam soooo sleepy

leehow79 profile image
leehow79

Keep at it ur body will get used 2 them. xx

debibel profile image
debibel

my mum has recently started these as well and is very sleepy all the time, i am going to start giving her the tablet at about 6pm in stead of the morning see how that goes, but i wont stop her meds as they have helped with her severe anxiety, as she has cardiovascular dementia as well she is 72,

Jaimie profile image
Jaimie

Purely from experience, anything you take for anxiety can cause weird stuff to go on for a bit (: Its something unnatural entering you brain to help deal with anxiety, but anything entering your brain and changing things makes the body react in strange ways, as a way of telling you something is different. If It was me, i would totally ask a doctor about it, But I imagine coming off it early might confuse the brain more, as then it would return you to the state you were at before the medication. This is all speculation of course, Dont quote me (: xx

Hi

Give it few weeks.It s normal .your body will get used to it.

Love

Train

Chopper1975 profile image
Chopper1975

Thanks for all the positive replies. They mean a lot. :)

angelfaced profile image
angelfaced

Hi i just wondered how you are getting on now with your citalopram, i'm taking the same,

rfarah92 profile image
rfarah92

Hi chopper 1975. I started citalopram 13 days ago, 20mg a day, also diazepam to lessen the side effects, by the 5th day I felt amazing with renewed energy I felt I could conquer the world then in the days following I am exhausted, no motivation, anxious and want to nap at around the same time as you. likewise, have a young family, 3 children under 10 and my husband is doing everything, I feel so guilty but I'm just not well enough yet. I have diahrea everyday which I'm presuming is a side effect and I yawn all the time. Everyone telling me I need to give them more time but I have no hope. How did your experience work out? I notice it is a year since your comment.

sublimed profile image
sublimed

I have been taking Citalopram for 5 years and I never got over the tiredness. I kept thinking it was something else - other meds, food, etc., but after eliminating everything else, I figured it out. I'm taking it at night now, but I'm just going to try to get off it altogether because I'm sick of being a zombie. What's the point of not being depressed if you're too tired to act on it?

in reply to sublimed

Hello. Have you tried a different brand of citalopram? I found that any brand other than almus makes me tired, and despondent. If you ask your pharmacy..or even your doctor you can request a certain brand. It helped me

crest74 profile image
crest74 in reply to

Hi do you get your album citalopram from boots by any chance? I've read that that is the only brand they do?

Many thanks.

Pathan90 profile image
Pathan90 in reply to

When it comes to any medication whether prescription or over the counter the ingredients are the same. The "PL" number on packaging basically tells you this. So if you buy brand name paracetamol or boots own, you'll see the number will be identical. Policy Licence numbers are issued by the pharmacy board. They do this to ensure that tried and tested medications are all the same regardless of who they're made by. Citalopram made by Sandoz has the PL number 04416/0914 if you live in the UK you'll notice this is the same for all manufacturers of Citalopram. It's useful to know this as you can save yourself a good deal of money by not going for branded over the counter medication.

dorothy225 profile image
dorothy225

I've been on Celexa (Citalopram) for roughly nine months and I couldn't be happier. Since taking this medication I've become relaxed, feel in control, and can rationally think through my anxiety instead of letting it overwhelm me. The only side-effects I suffered were insomnia and jittery hands, but both symptoms stopped as soon as I began taking my 10mg in the morning instead of before bed. Citalopram works well for me. If you are curious this is reliable site where I order it online without prescription : generic-meds-store.com. I hope this helps you. Many blessings

Murray2332 profile image
Murray2332

I take 20mg of citalopram daily at 830pm. Constantly tired but also have a traumatic brain injury(TBI) wich probably adds to the tiredness. Is there a alternative to citalopram that does not cause tiredness. I'm a 34 year old male and always being tired is no way to live. Thanks for any and all replies.

Annie1936 profile image
Annie1936

I started on 20 mg Celexa in 2003 and after 2 weeks I was back to my normal enjoyment of life. I have taken it at bedtime for 14 years no problems. 2017 increased to 30 mg., I am so fatigued in the morning that I have to lie down after I get up. I'm thinking the increase is doing it. It's such a great drug for me that I hate to discontinue it.

Melzie2017 profile image
Melzie2017

I've been on it 3 years and still remain constantly tired. Times up going to find something else. tired of being tired

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