Global Patient Feedback for Celexa (Citalopram) ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
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Question/Comment:

I WILL NEVER TAKE THIS MEDICATION AGAIN. DURING MY SECOND WEEK OF TAKING IT, I WAS RUSHED TO THE E.R. WITH SEVERE STOMACH PAIN AND HORRIBLE ANXIETY. MY NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE OF 100/60 WAS SUDDENLY 139/110! THE E.R. DOC CHECKED WITH THE PHARMACIST WHO SAID TO DISCONTINUE THIS MEDICINE IMMEDIATELY. IT'S BEEN 3 WEEKS OFF OF IT AND I AM STILL SUFFERING WITH ABDOMINAL PAIN AND DISCOMFORT THAT THE G.I. DOC STRONGLY FEELS WAS CAUSED BY THE CELEXA. GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE WANTING TO TRY IT!

45 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

i took celexa for the first at bed time last night within 20 minutes i had severe dry mouth add hard time swallowing didnt think nothin of it went to bed i was awakend about 4;30 am in the morning with severe shaking chest felt like it was on fire and couldnt speak my jaw was tight the ambulance was called they said they knew me and i was having an anxiety attack.they made me walk down to flights of stairs after i told them i couldnt walk in the ambulance i was told to breath slowly at the e.r i was diagnosed with TOXICOLOGY DRUG REACTION;DYSTONIC after an hour i was discharged with papers saying i had been treated with an antidote to reverse this REACTION i was not treated.it is 11 hours later and im still feeling SIDE EFFECTS.they say it can last up too 3 days.THE DOCTOR SAID DONT TAKE THE OFFENDING DRUG EVER AGAIN.please read side effects on medication CAREFULLY

Answer/Reply:

I have never heard of that happening with Celexa before! Was that the only medicine you were on and did they do tests to see if it was something else? My spleen ruptured in 2006 and it took them 3 days before the hospital ever got around to testing for that!

47 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I need to try bacause aprozalam is making me have mood swigs and worse anxiety attacks. The Dr said take celexa for 1 month before me coming off aprazalam. I already have stomache problems. Should I give it at least a month.

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Have been on Celexa for almost 10 years..off and on..seasonal..2 hours after taking last dose was having extreme flushing and premature atrial contractions ..spent the night in the ER..had been having other symptoms for several months but never connected them to this drug..Be aware of this drugs ability to due harm without much notice...

Question/Comment:

i just recently started taking celexa about two weeks ago how long does it take to see the change

32 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I was recently put on Celexa for GAD. My doctor told me it would take up to 8 weeks before I see any difference. Guess I have to put up with sudden axiety and heart palpitations until it kicks in.

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

The change is very subtle. Friends, family and co-workers notice the change in me before I did. I am a lot less angry and my relationships have improved. It took about 2 month before I could notice anything.

Question/Comment:

i LOVE it! i still get depressed a little but i can handle it. i agree it makes me feel normal

47 year old Female

Question/Comment:

If one needs this kind of help then I would reccomend citalopram

74 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

i've only been taking it a couple days .but it seems like it only works for about six hours or so and i'm back with some neg thoughts i'm taking 20mg for now. but i'm so tired and feel so drugged out. my pupils are dilated i look messed up .i cant even look in the mirror .i'm so worried about the wieghed gain too. i want to make it work cuz i was in such bad shape my daughter is taking it as well. How long have u been on it?

47 year old Female

Question/Comment:

its better than zoloft

38 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Minimal to no side effects experienced with taking this drug. Am very happy with the results!

29 year old Female

Question/Comment:

It's worth it. It has kept my anxiety issues at bay and helped to keep me on a more level emotional state.

42 year old Male

Question/Comment:

Celexa doesn't work for me. I am going to have my Doctor Change my medicine back to Prozac

29 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Celexa is really good in treating my depression. It has helped me in so many different ways. I have had absolutely no side effects what so ever. I would recommend Celexa for anyone suffering from Depression.

43 year old Female

Question/Comment:

IT IS DIFFICULT TO STOP THE DRUG, ONCE YOU ARE USE TO HAVING IT IN YOUR SYSTEM

52 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

As I posted in response to another question/comment... why would you WANT to stop ? If you feel better and the side effects are less than the positive results, stick with it.

43 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Ask if they can give you something that wont make you tired and uninterested in what is going on around you.

60 year old Female

Question/Comment:

That all medications effects all people in different way and if you are on any other medications that can effect the medication

48 year old Female

Question/Comment:

It is one of several courses of medications one can try. I tried it because my fluoxetine was not working as well as it used to. And, this was a good alternative.

42 year old Female

Question/Comment:

It may take a few days to kick in. There will be days when you will feel slightly depressed, but you should keep taking Celexa and work with it.

64 year old Female

Question/Comment:

my depression was so severe it was like being in a black hole.medication after medication,nothing seemed to work enough.after, being put on celexa, for the first time in over 2 yrs.i'm no longer in that black hole.if yur doctor gives it to you,there's a reason,take it.it works!!!

49 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Relief from depression and anxiety was almost miraculous, but stopping was impossible for me, even with a very gradual withdrawal. I will probably be on it for life.

Answer/Reply:

Why would you WANT to stop ? You're taking the drug because of a chemical imbalance in your brain and there is no other medical intervention that will "fix" the imbalance other than meds. Stay on them and feel better.

43 year old Female

Question/Comment:

take as perscribed

63 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Just make sure that you know all the facts before you take any medication for depression. It helps in your recovery.

31 year old Female

Question/Comment:

The effect is subtle, but itseems to work.

63 year old Male

Question/Comment:

I was initially hesitant to begin this type of drug. But the benefits have far outweighed the minor side effects.

47 year old Female

Question/Comment:

DO NOT BE AFRAID OR ASHAMED. THIS MEDICINE MAKES ME FEEL NORMAL.

74 year old Female

Question/Comment:

takes about 6 weeks to start working, taking with food minimizes the nausea

53 year old Female

Question/Comment:

THIS IS A GREAT PRODUCT TO USE WHEN HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH DEPRESSION. I HAVE TRIED OTHER ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AND I MUST SAY THAT CELEXA GIVES ME THE BEST RESULTS WITH THE LEAST SIDE EFFECTS.

54 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I agree! I have been on several others as well and have NEVER had the results with those as I do with Celexa.

46 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Thank you for posting, I have tried other drugs for the same thing but have had side effects or they just didn't work. Effexor worked well but missing a dose or getting off it was nightmareish...

Question/Comment:

Check your lifestyle before you begin and pray first.

34 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I am Bipolar, Celexa has saved my life. I was in a black hole and could not get myself out.
It is seretonin inhancer, it does have some side effects, but I found them to be mild and worth it. I have been taking it for over 10 years and do not plan to quit any time. The depression and mood swings were impossible for me and my family to live with. They used to call me "Crazy Aunt Eva" before Celexa.

age 55

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Have you ever suffered from severe depression yourself? Been so close to suicide you had it planned down to the smallest detail? I don't think so. While praying won't do any harm, & could certainly help, it would be a true miracle if it cured a serious medical issue/disorder. I wonder just what you mean by "lifestyle" - certainly eating well & adequate exersise are proven to help - other aspects have nothing to do with it eg ones sexuality, religion (or lack of)
If it makes you feel better add praying to your daily routine by all means, but please do not stop taking your meds without your Doctors support & advise - usually you need to wean yourself slowly off them to minimize withdrawal symptoms - without the meds I would not be alive today.

Question/Comment:

i just started taking celexa , how big of a help is this med?

29 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I use Celexa for only PMS cycles, but I take other mood stabilizers. I can tell a drastic difference in my mood, but my sexual desire is GONE. I don't care for that. So, I personally have been trying to get off of it for sometime now, but can't find anything that compares to it. **please remember that everyone's chemical makeup is different. What works for one, doesn't mean it will work for all.** Peace

38 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I am 30 yrs old and have been taking Citalopram for a year and a half. It's done wonders for me with no side effects. My mood is much much better and my anxiety is nothing compared to what is was before.

32 year old Female

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