Hi with all going on wondered if anyone has had to up dosage of citalopram to 40 mg feel anxiety is taking over again?
Increasing does of citalopram?
Question posted by Anonymous on 15 Jan 2021
Last updated on 1 February 2021
3 Answers
Lela32
1 Feb 2021
Hi Lynne, I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. I pray it gets better for you. I see your last post was about 11 days ago. Are you still taking the 40mg and how are you feeling? I just started citalopram 4 days ago and my side effects are horrible. Burning chest pain like if I want to have a panic attack, dizzy, shaking. Doctor put me on 20 mg. The first two days were horrible. Didn't feel myself. I lowered the dose to 5mg and I feel the side effects aren't as bad as 20 mg. I still feel high anxiety, I'm getting a little bit of an appetite back. I just want to know is this medicine working or making me worse or does it get better and the symptoms go away after awhile. Ugh the frustration.
WildcatVet
1 Feb 2021
Lela,
Side effects generally resolve within days to a week or so and they lessen quickly. If you try to hold on for a few more days you should start feeling less of the side effects and some of the improvements... which you say you're already doing. Look for them and don't dwell on the side effects if you can. Keeping a positive attitude will help the medication start doing it's job.
Increased or new anxiety is unfortunately common with most, if not all, antidepressants but don't let it do the talking for you. Distract your thoughts by reading, listening to music, taking a long walk, meditating, working out, anything that you enjoy doing.
Within the first two or three weeks or so you'll know that it's working but it may take 6-8 weeks for the medication to become fully effective.
It'll be worth the time and effort!
Best regards, Wildcat
PS, it's important to stay in close touch with your doctor during this initial period. Report both side effects and the progress you're making.
Lela32
2 Feb 2021
Thank you wildcat! Makes feel better to know this can be temporary. I've taken celexa pretty much my whole life. I was on it when I was a teenager in high school for a couple years and got off in my early 20s. When I was about 24 yrs old, I started randomly having panic attacks. So bad to where I was in the ER cause I thought I was having a heart attack or something really wrong with me. I went to specialists after specialists and they told me I was healthy. So I went to psychiatrist and that's when I was diagnosed with panic disorder. I was put back on celexa. I stayed on it for several years and got off of it. Now the panic attacks came back. So I told my new psychiatrist celexa worked for me before. I never had any side effects the last two times I was on it. And now I feel like I have every side effect that is making me feel worse. I don't understand. I know I feel like the side effects aren't as severe as taking the 20 mg but I still some what feel it.
I don't want to get out of bed and just force myself back to sleep. Through out the day, I feel like a panic attack wanting to come on. My boss is being understanding and letting me work from home. I didn't like my new psychiatrist, didn't really try to find the source of my panic. He didn't ask me questions really. So I found another one and I have an appointment with him on the morning. It's just so frustrating. I'm praying and keeping faith.
WildcatVet
16 Jan 2021
Hi, Lynnie!
40mgs is the maximum recommended dosage but your doctor could prescribe 60mgs off label if she/he feels it's safe for you.
If you've been taking it for some time it could be that your medication is "pooping out" which happens fairly frequently with antidepressant/anxiolytics.
Options might be an add-on like Abilify or Rexulti. They help booster the effects of your med while working on their own to help with depression/anxiety. Another anti-anxiety medication that could be added is called buspirone.
Otherwise, the other way to go would be to switch to another drug.
Talk to your doctor and get her/his professional advice.
Best regards and I hope you get an answer that gets you feeling better quickly.
Inactive
16 Jan 2021
Thank you I am going to start taking my 40mg from tonight and hopefully start to see an improvement. I hate how it's making me feel cant fall over to sleep for hours heart racing so fast and cant eat.
WildcatVet
16 Jan 2021
When doses are increased there IS a chance of some side effects but they are short-lived.
Believe me, I know... anything is better than trying to live with 24/7 angst!
Inactive
21 Jan 2021
Just checking in 6th day of dosage increase and I feel so agitated and not getting sleep, doc has prescribed me 2 weeks worth of zopiclone to combat this. I'm really hoping everything settles down once I've citalopram into system.
TyreseTl
15 Jan 2021
I believe that your current dose is starting to become less effective and you may need a dose increase. But you should address your concerns to the doctor.
What is your current dose? And how long have you been on Celexa?
Inactive
16 Jan 2021
Hi thank you for your reply, I have been on 20mg since 2009, it's got to the point I feel panicked all the time and it's taking me hours to fall over to sleep my heart is racing. My doctor has suggested upping the dose to 40mg but I'm nervous I get more side effects
TyreseTl
16 Jan 2021
You have been taking it for a long time. As wildcat said below; “If you've been taking it for some time it could be that your medication is "pooping out" which happens fairly frequently with antidepressant/anxiolytics.”
TyreseTl
17 Jan 2021
Hey. How are you feeling now with the extra dose?
Inactive
17 Jan 2021
Hi thanks for keeping in touch, I felt it hard to fall over to sleep last night but did around 4 and woke around 10 so at least I slept, my anxiety is still bad but I'm assuming it just takes time for the dosage to get into system.
TyreseTl
17 Jan 2021
No problem. Keep us updated
Yes. Give the extra dose a little time to work. But do keep track of your symptoms. Take care of yourself.
Tyrese
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Further information
- Citalopram uses and safety info
- Citalopram prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Citalopram (detailed)
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