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Citalopram for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

Brand names: Celexa

Citalopram has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 43 reviews for the off-label treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 70% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 19% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Citalopram

  • Cheena
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 5, 2021

"I have OCD I take Citalopram. I was on 40 milligrams and learned I have AFib. My Doctor reduced to 20 milligrams and I am doing fine. I have been on Citalapram for about 10 years now. Prior on generic Paxil. It gave me an appetite. My former physician changed to Citalapram. Doing well on it."

8 / 10
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6 Report
  • Sexua...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 20, 2016

"Not a hit with me, I'm afraid. Prescribed for my depression (doctor neglected to ask about any further symptoms and I was too embarrassed to share about my intrusive thoughts at the time). Caused some serious ticks including constant yawning, restless leg and twitching eye. I was twitching so badly I couldn't get to sleep, and I was exhausted constantly while on it (I was up for 3 days once!) The worst part was probably the severe sexual dysfunction, which, a year on, is still lingering around like a bad smell. I still struggle with physical pleasure, and to stay mentally and emotionally engaged in sex. It did dull my depression and intrusive thoughts to some extent, but it also dulled everything else. UK based, so prescribed by NHS GP"

2 / 10
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11 Report
  • Vog
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • July 12, 2021

"Made a big difference for me. Suffered from debilitating OCD for years, in and out of therapy. Finally in college my psychiatrist prescribed citalopram because a close family member has had success with it. After a few weeks on the meds I was back in business, baby! Only side effects I have are disturbing dreams, which aren't too hard to manage, and inability to orgasm, which is a worthwhile sacrifice (my partners are happy for sure)."

9 / 10
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5 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Heise...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 8, 2016

"This is one of the worst drugs I have ever tried. I was on 60 mg and I don't recommend to go above 40 mg if you have bipolar it made me feel like a zombie and confused don't know whether I was happy or normal no emotions also gave me terrible vivid dreams every single day and thats bad and did nothing for my OCD but it may work for you I just gave my experience."

1 / 10
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10 Report
  • oufoo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 20, 2022

"I have severe depression and OCD and celexa was the first drug I tried. I had very high hopes and I was also terrified to take it at the beginning because of these reviews. (try to stop reading reviews if you can they can put you in the wrong mindset). I took celexa for about a month, I was on 10mg for about two weeks and I tried to up my dosage to 20mg after that but it made my depression symptoms much worse. It became clear during week 4 that celexa wasn’t helping me the way I’d hoped. Some say that it takes 4-6 weeks or even 6-8 weeks for the medication to work but I decided to move on and try prozac instead. Best of luck to anyone struggling, I believe we will all get better in time:)"

5 / 10
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2 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Lee...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 26, 2022

"By diagnosis, I have GAD, MDD and OCD. The GAD is primary, but both of the other conditions are very problematic by spells. Over the past 40-plus years, I have been through a bushel of various psych meds from various benzos to several SSRI's and even Adderall for 5 years. Right now, I am in the best place emotionally I can ever remember. I take 30 mg Citalopram, 45 mg Mirtazapine and between 1/2 and 1 mg. Lorazepam daily. My psych doc and I credit Citalopram (or possibly the Citalopram/Mirtazapine combo) with giving me significant relief from the intrusive thoughts that are part of my OCD. I'm certain that Citalopram has also had positive effects on my anxiety and depression as well, but the most noticeable effect has been on my OCD. It has really helped a lot.."

9 / 10
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2 Report
  • Tomun...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 29, 2022

"When I first started taking Citalopram it really intensified my anxiety and OCD. In the first couple of weeks I had some new obsessions arise and they stuck with me. I tried multiple doses and gave each dose a few months to see if it helped at all and it did nothing. I found Citalopram helped maintain my OCD's intensity and when I stopped the drug I found relief and the OCD quietened down. I have since moved to Venlafaxine with fantastic results."

1 / 10
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2 Report
  • Kali
  • October 1, 2020

"Before citalopram I have tried prozac and paxil for 20 mg which did nothing for my anxiety and OCD. I'm hopeless because of other medications but I will give a try to this drug citalopram. For now there are no side effects."

5 / 10
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3 Report
  • J Laf...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 26, 2022

"I’ve struggled with anxiety depression and OCD and insomnia from anxiety. I previously took sertraline or Zoloft. Citalopram has helped me so much! I finally feel HAPPY! Which is massive for me, my anxiety is also immensely better. Before I would cry very easily and just felt so overwhelmed. I felt like running away from life. Now I feel like a better mom and when I’m with my kids it’s like I can completely enjoy them. I realize it varies from person to person which drug works for you. My daughter 11 she takes sertraline and it has helped her a TON. Whereas it didn’t help me feel happy AT ALL."

10 / 10
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  • SOT
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 4, 2021

"2,4-2,5 weeks and still not even a small sign of improvement. I suffer from depersonalization/derealization for about 3 years or more and it keeps worsening. I don't know if it's the med itself worsening the condition or my issue. It's worsening in general but still nothing changed. I'm still having intrusive thoughts and no interest about life. First week I had some side effects that really bothered me but second week was totally fine. I really expect some improvement since I had a lot of side effects, I hope so..."

2 / 10
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  • Kram
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 18, 2021

"I suffer from ocd (checking), anxiety and occasional mild depression. I was put on 20mg but it had little effect. My dose was increased to 40mg and after its settled in my system I feel increased confidence and less anxiety than before. I can relax a bit better and handle things better. A negative however is an inability to orgasm but I'm hoping that will improve with time. As for my ocd it is better but I still perform checks."

7 / 10
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1 Report
  • lmh
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 12, 2021

"I started citalopram in the third trimester of my pregnancy to try and help my extreme OCD. My OCD was mainly surrounding contaminated food so I was going days without eating. Since I was pregnant I didn’t have many options and I had already tried lexapro and prozac so I got put on this one. I didn’t have any side effects, but I started at 5mg for a week then moved to 10mg. It took away some of my anxiety, enough where I was able to eat at least dinner and sometimes lunch, but it didn’t take away any of the thoughts or compulsions. I only got to 10mg of it because every time I went above that my OCD and anxiety got worse. Now that I’m not pregnant I’m being taken off this and being put on luvox as it is more directed for OCD."

5 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • October 21, 2009

Celexa (citalopram) "I had severe OCD and within 5 weeks first at 20mg to 30mg for a month and now at 40mg, it has eliminated the obsession almost completely. I also feel that half an hour of cardio a day has also helped."

9 / 10
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77 Report
  • tdsan...
  • February 23, 2012

"This medicine saved my life, if I could rate this medicine 67890987656789 billion. I would. It was the first medicine I've ever had to take on a daily basis (I'm 13) and it was a hit."

10 / 10
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61 Report
  • Rose
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 2, 2019

"Taken the drug citalopram for 2 and a half weeks, never again the drug made me worse"

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • Kelly
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 4, 2022

"No side effects. Has helped tremendously. I can't have an OCD moment if I try to. Took 5-6 weeks to start working. I feel blessed."

10 / 10
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5 Report
  • Anonymous
  • April 30, 2010

Celexa (citalopram) "Works very well for me. I currently take 20mg."

8 / 10
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18 Report
  • Wabes...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 26, 2020

"Celexa does virtually nothing for my OCD. I'm looking for another medication for this condition."

3 / 10
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3 Report
  • micky
  • November 26, 2015

"This made my anxiety worse."

1 / 10
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3 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.