If you have read my article on Citalopram For Anxiety, you will know that I have personally used the medication to treat my own anxiety and panic attack issues, and would recommend it as a short term fix. In that same article, I also gave an overview of the side effects of Citalopram, and noted that I personally had no overbearing side effects from my usage of the drug.
However, since writing that article, I may well have changed my mind.
The Side Effects Of Citalopram
I have the ‘instruction manual’ that came with my medication in front of me, and the list of potential side effects is absolutely huge. It is fair to say that the chances of you experiencing any of the major side effects is extraordinarily unlikely, so it is not necessary to bother you with the entire list. What you should focus on is the more likely side effects. For those purposes, you can reference the list in my other article, Citalopram For Anxiety.
What I am more interested in writing about today is ‘real life’. Although the side effects listed by the manufacturers of the medication are based upon extensive testing, they are required by law to list every possible eventuality. Worrying about whether or not Citalopram will cause suicidal behavior is like worrying about being hit by a bus. Let’s discover more about the common side effects, based upon what sufferers say.
Anecdotal Accounts Of Side Effects
There are plenty of accounts on the internet from people who have taken Citalopram. There are various forum posts over at No More Panic with input from many different people. Based upon their accounts, common side effects seem to be:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Temporary heightened anxiety
- Lack of energy/tiredness
- Headaches
It important to note that such posts would be likely to attract more people who had experienced side effects than those who hadn’t. So don’t be too worried!
If you are concerned about the potential side effects, one idea would be to start out on a low dosage and work your way up. In this way, the impact to your body’s system would be less immediate. Having said that, always consult with your doctor with regards to such matters, and always follow his or her instructions to the letter.
My Experience With Citalopram
I am still taking Citalopram, although I am currently in the process of tapering off. I started on 10mg per day, then went up to 20mg. I stayed on that dosage for around 10 months before starting the tapering process just two weeks ago.
As I said at the start of this article, although I had previously considered the side effects I had suffered from as minimal and temporary, I may have changed my mind about that. Why? As I said in “Is There A Difference Between Anxiety And Panic Attacks?“, I have suffered from insomnia for as long as I can remember. I find it incredibly difficult to get to sleep – my mind does not switch off. I also find it difficult to wake – I usually set a minimum of three different alarms, as I tend to sleep straight through them (regardless of how loud they are). It is something that I have begrudgingly learnt to live with over the years. My doctor has never had anything more useful to say to me about the problem than “take this two week course of medication – it will reset your sleeping pattern” (needless to say, it did nothing of the sort).
Well, since I have started tapering off Citalopram, my condition seems to have improved immeasurably. I still occasionally find it fairly difficult to get to sleep – but it takes 30 – 90 minutes, not 5 hours. And I have started waking up before my alarm clock! That is completely unheard of for me. This morning I woke up at 6:55am – my alarm isn’t set to go off until 8am!
I cannot of course prove that Citalopram was the cause of my troubles, as I was an insomniac before I started the medication. However, it seems rather a coincidence that my insomnia appears to be disappearing at the exact time that I am tapering off the drug. It will be interesting to observe my sleeping pattern over the next few weeks.
Should You Take Citalopram?
It is ultimately up to you. Quite frankly, my anxiety and panic attacks were so bad that insomnia was a bearable price to pay. And you may of course experience no adverse side effects as a result of taking the drug.
I hope that this article has been helpful in enabling you to make an informed decision.
Photo courtesy of J Mark Dodds
