Celexa and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Week 5 & I feel human again. I had all of the side effects: increased anxiety, panic attacks, no appetite, diarrhea, headache, nausea, & just not feeling connected to my brain (really spacey) but today is week 5 & I actually laughed & felt a lot better! I prayed that I would feel some light & it’s here. I’m glad I didn’t give up, I thought I’d feel awful forever but they’re definitely working & I feel like my old self again."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "Celexa has given me my life back! I suffered from severe anxiety and depression to the point where I would just lay in bed for days. I didn't want to go anywhere, and cancelled plans with friends all the time just to stay home and sleep. It took about a month to work and now I feel great! I am back to my old self - I love going out, seeing friends, exercising, reading, everything I used to do and I'm happier than ever! My only side effects were the first 2 weeks - anxiety was worse, insomnia, no appetite. That's gone now and I have no complaints. If I take it in the morning, I sleep well. If I take it at night, I can't sleep. You just have to learn what's best for you!"

• 1ha...
• July 5, 2015

For Depression "Week 1 dizziness, nausea, no appetite, foggy feeling, stomach growling. Week 2 same as before plus sweating, bad GERD, and insomnia. Almost stopped but decided to stick it out. Week 3 everything slowly disappeared. Now on week 4, much calmer, lost weight about 8 lbs, blood pressure dropped to normal readings, I have more energy now. I am walking every day, still feel like myself, not numb like some reported. Reason started was I had 2 deaths in a month and was losing it. In the past, I have tried Prozac, Lexapro, Effexor, Zoloft, and many others, nothing has worked as well as Celexa. My advice: give it time, be patient. Like many things, it's worth waiting for. Good luck to all!"

• Gem...
• November 1, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I’m 23 years old and began to have severe GAD due to a stressful situation. I felt worthless, depressed, anxious, and pessimistic. I decided to go to my doctor and was prescribed Celexa. I experienced a low appetite, insomnia, and mild diarrhea the first couple of weeks. I also had increased mood swings. The adjustment period was rough! However, after about 6-8 weeks, I started to level out and had less anxiety. Now I can say that my anxiety is about 90% cured! I have been taking this medicine for about 2-3 months. I still experience some anxiety during normal moments that I should experience some anxiety, but it’s NOTHING compared to where I used to be. I can still feel my emotions, the lows are just not as low anymore. I’m going through a breakup right now and I can honestly say that although I’ve had sad moments, I am still fully functioning and I am still managing to be happy with my life. Thank you Celexa!"

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2014

For Depression "I think I waited too long to start taking this medication. I, too, along with many others, was against 'happy pills' as I used to call them. I started having anxiety attacks at work, and my emotions were starting to bleed into every aspect of my life. I had to do something. Depression is sneaky... you don't realize what it's doing to you until you can step out of it and take a breath, a real clear-minded breath. That's what Celexa has been for me. It made me so tired at the beginning, and I didn't eat much, but after about a week, I noticed I was not crying all day like before. I can't say I feel super happy all the time, but I notice that I am not as sad and I have energy to do more than lay on the couch on the weekends!"

• Sam...
• July 11, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I have suffered with anxiety since my early 20s. I'm now 27. After the loss of my father, it threw me into a depression that I couldn't seem to get out of. I started Celexa 20 mg about 2 weeks ago. The first two days, I could tell I was on medicine. I was a little slow, however, on the 3rd day, I felt like a brand new person. I have no depression, anxiety, or mood swings. I feel as if everything that I thought consumed my life was over. I had a new approach to dealing with everyday life. I think Celexa saved me. I did lose my appetite, but I wanted to lose a few pounds anyways. So another good thing about it, and I have occasional dry mouth. HOWEVER, I feel great. So I'll take it. I recommend this medicine to anyone."

• cdm...
• September 1, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm a 25-year-old female, and my doctor prescribed Celexa to help me manage my anxiety. I've been on it just shy of 3 months. I started with 10 mg and increased to 20 mg after about 2 weeks. My initial side effects were dry mouth, decreased appetite, sleepiness, and low libido. The first few nights I was on Celexa, I also found myself suddenly waking up in the middle of the night in a panic. This also happened after my dose was increased. After almost 3 months on Celexa, all the side effects have disappeared, except my sex drive is completely non-existent. Overall, I feel very relaxed, and my anxiety symptoms have significantly decreased."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking Celexa for 5 years and it is the best thing ever. I lost my business and marriage to anxiety and anger issues. For 2 years after, I blamed everyone but myself. Then I started Celexa and have been a much better and much more successful person. I have noticed two side effects: my appetite changes, causing my weight to vary in the 5 to 10 pound range, and sex has never been better. I do not crave it as much, but when I do, it's much better. It lasts longer and has a bigger effect."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2023

For Depression "I wanted to leave a review for those struggling in the beginning days on Celexa/Citalopram. I had an A-fib episode in early January and was put on a beta blocker. Before this, I had no anxiety or depression, life was great. Soon after starting the beta blocker, I went into a depression and had much anxiety for no reason. I soon learned that beta blockers can cause both depression and anxiety. I weaned off the beta blocker with my cardiologist's permission but was still having the depression and anxiety. My primary care physician suggested Citalopram. The first 2 weeks were very difficult, to say the least. Fortunately, I was able to take those 2 weeks off of work because I could hardly get out of bed or off the couch. Increased anxiety and worsened depression, along with complete loss of appetite and insomnia. But I read a lot of the reviews, and everyone kept saying to give it time. I am now on day 30, and I feel like me again! Hoping those wanting to give up will give it time. It works!"

• ldd...
• July 15, 2013

For Depression "25-year-old female. I started taking 10mg of Celexa after experiencing severe depression. I was having harmful thoughts, insomnia, and anxiety in all aspects of life. I finally succumbed to the fact that I needed to take medication because therapy, exercise, positive thoughts, and other outlets were not working. The first few weeks sucked. I had severe insomnia, couldn't eat, and felt ramped up and clenched my teeth when I did sleep. I never had the zombie experience though. But a few weeks later, the world seemed more clear and happy. Celexa did nothing for my anxiety, I had to add Klonopin, but it worked for my mood swings and depression. I would go on it again if I had to. Just remember everyone has different brain chemistry."

• FUN...
• May 31, 2009

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking Celexa for 8 weeks. I lost my appetite (of course that's always a good thing). I have become forgetful but it's helped me so much not to have anxiety or stress, and helps my Crohn's Disease. So I will stay on it until I feel like I'm forgetting everything."

• cez...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I was having some marital problems and was unable to eat, sleep, or function. I went to the doctor after a few days, and she prescribed Celexa. I've been taking it for 23 days. I suffered from debilitating fatigue and sweats on days 3, 4, and 5. On day six, I was able to get up on time and be functional. I had a headache for the first 10 days, but now it is not noticeable. I am able to drink coffee and not feel jittery. I still have a low appetite and am losing weight, and my feelings of sexual arousal are numbed. I feel that the edge has been taken off and that I am very level. I feel more patient and objective. I have terrible premenstrual dysphoria, and this past cycle, all my worst symptoms did not appear."

• fee...
• December 26, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I am on 20 mg of Celexa for work stress and anxiety. The first 4 weeks were hard, but after that it got easier. I am on week 6. I still have a loss of appetite, but I sleep well. I recommend Celexa to anyone dealing with anxiety and stress. Make sure that you exercise, drink plenty of water, and eat a well-balanced meal every day."

• Rac...
• June 10, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm on my third day of Celexa! I have experienced a few side effects such as trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, tightened jaw and grinding my teeth, as well as loss of appetite and feeling as though I might be on cheap MDMA. I do feel as though it is helping with my anxiety because I already feel less stressed, and I feel happier than I felt before. I do feel a bit paranoid though, because I read many reviews of people gaining weight, so I'm trying to eat as healthy as possible."

• Rat...
• August 11, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "Coming up to the 1-year mark, been on 20 mg per day until this week, when I've increased to 30 mg. Until the last few weeks, my anxiety has been manageable, but now I feel it returning due to some personal issues at home. Compared to how I was this time last year, just before I started, I am ten times better, but I am by no means cured. I've increased my dosage with the doctor's guidance in order to continue managing my anxiety and depression. I find this medication great in most ways, but the side effects are not good. I had severe nausea for the first 3 weeks, night tremors, hot sweats, and no appetite. Within 4 weeks, these had all gone completely, but I've found that I suffer from terrible short-term memory, increased hair loss, and alcohol affects me much worse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Celexa for almost two months now. I was wary about starting this medication because of the reviews. The initial side effects are rough. I couldn’t sleep, eat, or talk to anyone, really. I had very bad twitching and heightened anxiety. About two weeks after starting it, I finally noticed a difference. Two months later, (now) I am very happy and don’t have much anxiety. Keep in mind it has to get worse to get better (starting the medication)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 18, 2012

For Depression "In 2003, I started on (brand name) Celexa 5 mg a day for anxiety and depression. Within a week, I started to feel almost a magical feeling of well-being and a nice calmness within myself. The world looking brighter and so much better. For once in my life, I felt that the hole in my soul was healing. No more anxiousness and crying most of the time, and no more waves of horrible emotional pain. I gradually worked up to 10 mg a day, and now I am on 20 mg a day. I did have a headache, nausea, and loss of appetite. They went away. I gained weight but was feeling so much better. I tried generic Celexa for almost 1 month, and I felt irritable-like a dark cloud descended upon me. It is not the same as the brand."

• Bad...
• May 19, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I was having stress issues dealing with family and work issues. I was prescribed Celexa 20 mg, and about an hour after the 3rd dose, I began to have severe anxiety attacks. My heart was pounding, and I had to run outside, feeling claustrophobic and severely depressed. I was told to stop the drug immediately, but it still took 72 hours for the side effects to go away. I had anxiety attacks several times a day, loss of appetite, and depression during that time. I realize this was a rare reaction, but my message is to be prepared when you take something like this."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2016

For Depression "I have been on Celexa for about a week and a half, ever since I had noticed a loss of appetite and felt zombie-like. But, as for how I used to feel without the medication at first, I feel more calm and less anxious. As for the constant panic attacks that I was having, Celexa helped ease them a lot. Yes, I feel tired all the time and unable to sleep well. Luckily, I am taking Restoril along with it. I am able to sleep my good eight hours before waking up to go to college every morning. I am considering talking with my doctor to see if he can at least lower the dosage a bit to 10mg. I am currently taking 20mg. That way, the side effects won't take their toll on me."

• kri...
• November 3, 2013

For Depression "Been taking it for 4 days, I feel less sad but so thirsty and can't eat or sleep... not giving up yet because I haven't cried much and before I cried every day. And then was bitchy... that's been okay.... we will see, I will update at a later time...."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "Celexa, for me, helped with stress and anxiety, but I had to stop taking it due to the bad side effects such as insomnia in the early morning, feeling depressed, dry mouth, memory loss, vision issues, and loss of appetite. Zoloft was worse, though. I am going to use natural supplements and not these strong antidepressants."

• Anonymous
• January 7, 2010

For Depression "I have been taking Celexa for almost 3 years. It helps generally with my mild depression. I take 10 mg, and when I stop, I feel low again, and when I take more than 10 mg, I start to feel emotionally flat. It does not have sexual side effects for me when many other depression drugs do. It helps a bit with obsessive thoughts and social anxiety. Also, I don't feel intellectually fuzzy with it like I have on other drugs. I am looking for another antidepressant, however, because I don't feel very alive. Also, it upsets my stomach and depresses my appetite, and I am already underweight. It's been okay for me but not great. Prozac was the best for my mood and obsessive thoughts, but I became anorgasmic, which was so hard to deal with!"

• Dmc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2021

For Depression "I first started Celexa when I was 17 and continued to use it until I was nearly 20. I was able to get to 40 mg and had no issues with sex drive. I was able to cope with a sexual trauma, attend community college, and even helped me get my first job. And I was still able to enjoy alcohol as well. The only reason my GP changed my meds to 20 mg Lexapro is he claimed it was “more effective.” Well, why fix something that isn’t broken? I was on Lexapro 20 mg until recently, it “pooped out” due to the increase in anxiety from COVID, work, and suicidal thoughts returning. I am now on day 4 of Celexa and still have anxiety and loss of appetite. Then again, the first week can be the most difficult when starting an antidepressant. I’m on 10 mg and gradually decreasing the Trintellix. Hopefully, I see improvement by Tuesday when I increase to 20 mg Celexa. It may be more effective this time since I have a toolbox of coping skills I didn’t have 7 years ago (yoga, hiking, meditation, therapy)."

• Anonymous
• November 28, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I just finished my first week on Celexa. I have experienced mild headaches, strange dreams, yawning, loss of appetite, very sleepy all day. Nothing extreme, and I expect as my body gets used to this medication, I will not have so many side effects. I'm taking Celexa for anxiety and panic attacks."

• Anonymous
• August 26, 2011

For Depression "I started Celexa about 5 weeks ago for depression. My depression was pretty serious. I had also just been through the death of a family friend. Also, I have insomnia. I started on the 20 mg, one per day, and immediately felt side effects. Feeling super jittery, major energy, mind racing, uncomfortable in my own skin, rapid heartbeat, and loss of appetite. It made me VERY uncomfortable and unsocial. I called my doctor to tell him how I was feeling, and he told me to do 10 mg for 2 weeks and then bump up to 20 mg. The 10 mg was much more tolerable, and I noticed I did start to feel much better and more social and can sleep better at night. I stayed with 10 mg because 20 mg is too strong for me. I feel great now! The side effects have gone away."