Citalopram

[NWG23]

I've just been told to consider going on Citalopram for anxiety which is causing me to get depressed. Has anyone else been on it? I'm worried about weight gain and sexual dysfunction specifically.

[ladymoth]

Citalopram is very effective at relieving anxiety, but it does have side effects.

It tends to cause weight gain, tho' being careful with diet will help this to a large extent, and in any case this usually resolves within 6 months of stopping treatment.

Sexual dysfunction sometimes occurs - basically, it becomes difficult to reach orgasm, tho' it doesn't seem to cause any other problems with enjoyment.

This problem gets better very quickly - usually within 2 - 3 weeks of stopping treatment.

Other side effects are listed on the patient information sheet, and are mainly confined to nausea, dizziness, constipation etc., particularly in the early stages of treatment.

You will have to consider if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages for you. On the whole, Citalopram is well- tolerated and effective, so if your depression/anxiety are severe, it would probably be well worth while giving it a try.

Perhaps you might like to ask your GP to explain the effects of the medication before you start it.

Hope this is helpful

Moffy x

[justlilme]

hi there hun

its is an two in one medication it also helps with depression. i myself take the tablet i have not put weight on still size 10-12 been on it about 10 months now. as for sex when i can try to have intercourse (struggle due to pain discomfort of fibro) i am unable to get the usual end result for myself. which is crappy but i find personally has helped me at times of low mood and anxiety. its a tricky one.

kind regards

K x

[SimonViouchskie]

Hi I have been on this medication for a number of months ,

[trae]

I take citalpram for anxiety and I find the fact it helps outweighs the side effects (for me anyway) I haven't had any side effects apart from very slight weight gain (about 2 stone) but considering I was dangerously underweight, this was a blessing. Good luck

[avarose]

I take 20mg a day and it helps me so much with pain and anxiety. Best thing I ever did .

[Jjudith]

Oh My God I had the most dreadful reaction to this, on 3.11.2011 and I still have those side effects - it caused me to develop Myofascial Pain Syndrome and I still have face pain and tinnitus since then. I'm not saying others have had the same response. My response was absolutely, absolutely dreadful, i haven't been able to get over it yet, and I would rather die than have to take another single Citalopram tablet. So if you do take it, be very careful - I took it for a week even though I developed the first side effects after 2 days - tinnitus - and I should have stopped taking it then.

[NWG23 in reply to Jjudith]

Good grief, poor you. It's true all drugs have annoying side effects. The more I read and hear the less persuaded I am that I want to go back on medication. My GP tells me that my physical symptoms are due to anxiety and stress as my bloods are all fine. So maybe I should just pluck up the courage and go for counselling cos drugs just mask symptoms don't they. Wish life was more straight forward! and I wish I wasn't such an emotional complex and sensitive soul! Thanks for all your replies. x

[Hidden in reply to Jjudith]

Hi Jjudith

It sounds like you had a very severe reaction. We're you told it was definately citalopram that caused your problems. This sort of reaction is thankfully usually very rare..

I hope you are feeling a lot better now.

Love and hugs Karen xxx

[bbstport]

i have been on it for approx 18 months now and i am on 40mg i only had very slight weight gain i am size 10 - 12. i originally went on this due to depression

Hugs

Belinda xxx

[realsorelady]

I was on it a few years ago and it made me very angry and agressive, I was put on sertraline then, which seemed ok but then got put on duloxtine, still get depressed though.

[sue57]

I have been on Citalopram 40mg daily for about 9 years now, and I have had no side effects - that I know of! As for weight gain, well let's not discuss that!!!! As for sexual dysfunction (!) I'm a widow but have had no problems in the 'relieve yourself' domain!! Let's leave it at that!!!!!! ;-0

[Hidden]

Here's some info on Citalopram, just out of interest -

patient.co.uk/medicine/cita...

[karen-t]

Hi i on it as well and yes it made me put on wieght which im turn brought on diabeties but it has made the pain easer to cope with and i am no longer depresed well up umtill i broke my ankel sorry aboit the spelling have yet to find a pill that helps with that

[clairethebear]

My hubbie suffers from manic depression, and I always know when he does'nt take 20mg of it, (citolpram), its a blessing.