Going back around a year, I was prescribed Citalopram Hydrobromide (otherwise known by the brand names Celexa and Cipramil) for my anxiety and panic attacks. I can confirm that, in part, it was of great benefit to me in overcoming my anxiety and panic attack issues.
Having said that, my attitude is to never rely on drugs to provide a long term solution to problems if at all possible, and that would certainly be the case with Citalopram, as it is never intended to be prescribed for an extended period of time.
What Is Citalopram?
Citalopram was actually developed as an anti-depressant. I was surprised when my doctor told me that he would be prescribing an anti-depressant to help me with my anxiety and panic attack issues. However, he assured me that it is often also prescribed ‘off-label’ to help with what I was going through.
What is relevant to us is that Citalopram can be prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and anxiety disorder. It is prescribed in dosages of 10mg, 20mg and 40mg.[*] I was initially prescribed with a 10mg dosage, which was subsequently increased to 20mg.
My Experiences With Citalopram
I personally found Citalopram to be very useful in helping me overcome my anxiety and panic attacks.
I found that the initial dose of 10mg that I was prescribed seemed to have a noticeably positive effect, but it still left me with bouts of anxiety and panic attacks that were still too much for me to handle. An increase in the dosage to 20mg helped greatly towards largely alleviating all of my anxiety and panic attack issues.
It is however important to note that whilst (and before) I was taking Citalopram, I was also working on mental techniques that I believe were of huge benefit to me. So although I am convinced that the medication had a positive impact on my recovery, I do not believe that it was the sole positive influence.
The Side Effects Of Citalopram
For the ‘official line’ on the side effects of Citalopram, I will quote drugs.com:
Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Citalopram:
Decreased sexual desire or ability; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased sweating; lightheadedness when you stand or sit up; loss of appetite; nausea; stuffy nose; tiredness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Citalopram:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); absent menstrual period; bizarre behavior; black or bloody stools; chest pain; confusion; decreased concentration; decreased coordination; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory loss; new or worsening agitation, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, restlessness, or inability to sit still; persistent, painful erection; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent anxiety or trouble sleeping; severe or persistent headache; stomach pain; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; unusual weakness; vision changes; worsening of depression.
These side effects can seem utterly terrifying. However, please note that the vast majority of them are extremely rare. I personally had no overbearing side effects from my usage of Citalopram. Within the first two or three weeks I had some mild side effects such as drowsiness and tiredness, but they passed. If you do suffer mildly from some side effects when first starting out with Citalopram, try to be patient and wait for them to subside.
Having said that, if the side effects seem serious, then do not hesitate to contact your doctor.
Find out more about the side effects of Citalopram here.
Treat Citalopram With Respect
Citalopram is not like aspirin – it is a controlled substance and should be treated with respect. Follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter when taking Citalopram. When you do come off the drug, it will have to be ‘tapered’ (i.e. your dosage will be reduced over a period of weeks or months). It is important that you follow the tapering instructions to the letter, as the withdrawal symptoms are not something you want to go through.
As with any drug, there are inherent risks in taking Citalopram. However, those risks are small, and in my opinion, the potential upside is great. If you suffer from anxiety and/or panic attacks and your doctor recommends Citalopram, I would encourage you to take his or her advice.
Photo courtesy of Fran Simó
