I was taking 5mg escitalopram for two month. After 6 weeks, the anxiety lifted and I felt so much better. Much more like my old self. Two weeks later and I could feel the black and white thinking and lack of motivation/fear start to creep in again. I had a chat with my GP who suggested I now try 10mgs. We kept me on 5mg due to my own body chemistry, side effects and more personal factors.
I'm aware that with each titration, the side effects will come back,thus is the paradox with SSRI's. Taking into account that we are all different, I suppose I am looking for some reassurance that this will improve again. it seems that in the ten weeks I have been taking them, there has only been two weeks I have felt well and motivated.
I have a good understanding of how these work and so all I require really is to read others similar experiences.
I have no real support network and so it is tough right now being alone with this.
Many thanks in anticipation.
Increased escitalopram. How long do side effects continue with each titration?
Question posted by hoffgrad on 14 Aug 2021
Last updated on 15 August 2021
Answers
Hi
I am currently in a similar situation to yourself. I’m on 10mg citalopram for anxiety and panic attacks. I felt better for a few weeks and then I began to have a nervous stomach all the time. Worst in the mornings. I am now considering titrating uo to 20mg but I’m afraid for the side effects. I was quite lucky and didn’t have a lot first time round but was wondering if u could tell me how severe the side effects were on titrating. I know how tough it can be initially so hang in there, you should be near the end of side effects.
Hello
Thank you for writing. I have just looked at my calendar as I keep a note of changes... I started on 10mg of Escitalopram on 2nd June. Due to heightened anxiety, nausea and insomnia I reduced it to 5mg on 15th June. From 12th July I felt amazing. No anxiety whatsoever, and also I could feel the depression lifting but still room for improvement there. Then from 30th July I crashed with really bad depression. So for me, the 5mg was not enough to help with depression, only anxiety. I increased the dose to 10mg on 7th August and for the past week I've felt depression more than I had originally. I have awful brain fog and inflammation too.
I have taken various other SSRI's over the years. Citalopram that you are taking, is not the same at all as Escitalopram. Similar names and GP's will tell you that the drugs are almost the same but I can assure you that having taken Citalopram in the past, this one is very different. Better in my opinion, but as you are aware, I'm sure, we are all different in how we metabolise drugs.
What I do know is that Escitalopram is more expensive to the NHS, so they tend not to prescribe it first time, to patients for that very reason. They tend to offer Sertraline or Citalopram. It was only because I didn't get on with those two (and Fluoxetine heightened my anxiety too much), that I was offered Escitalopram.
Related topics
depression, anxiety, escitalopram, side effect
Further information
- Escitalopram uses and safety info
- Escitalopram prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Escitalopram (detailed)
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