Citalopram and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Jil...
• December 20, 2014

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Day 4 of Celexa & WOW my negative thoughts, constant worry & irritation have almost vanished! I'm taking 10mg a day and am amazed at how quickly I feel this medicine working. I have had some bad headaches, dizziness & a little nausea but that's about it & totally worth it for the difference I'm feeling. I feel like life is worth living again. Thank you Celexa!"

• Syn...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 31, 2014

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I'm a 40-year-old male that has taken Celexa for about 10 years now for anxiety. I take 40mg once a day. It works well to manage my anxiety. With the higher dose I take, it can cause nausea for me if taken on an empty stomach. I also get sleepy for an hour or two after taking it, so I take it at bedtime. The only issue I've had is forgetting to take or running out of this medication. The withdrawal is pretty bad after about 4 days of not taking, causing anxiety, dizziness, brain fog, 'brain zaps', insomnia, and flu-like symptoms. Celexa has worked very well for me, and I would recommend it for treating anxiety. Just don't suddenly stop taking it. You have to slowly wean off."

• all...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2014

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "After holding on to the medication for about 3 weeks, I couldn't believe the results after just one day and literally felt the effects hours after I took the medication. I did experience side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, headache, and dizziness, but I found out after taking it the second day that it was only because I hadn't eaten before Celexa. I really see the difference, I'm no longer stressed and depressed. I do feel the difference, and it's a really great medication. I was so iffy about taking depression anxiety medication, however, I'm so glad that I did."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2011

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I'm 21 years old and relatively inexperienced with my anxiety and taking medications for it. For the last two years, my anxiety started to have a negative effect on my life. It progressively got worse to the point that I had trouble with everyday activities. I finally went to a doctor and he prescribed Celexa. I'm on 10mg a day and it has been wonderful. Slight side effects at first like occasional dizziness and unusual sleeping patterns but these were very minimal. After two weeks of being on the medication, the side effects TOTALLY subsided. I have been taking Celexa now for 9 months and have a great life. School performance improved, relationship with friends and family are better than ever, and most importantly I'm happier than ever."

• 1ha...
• July 5, 2015

Citalopram 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!"

• Ash...
• May 7, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Citalopram 10mg then 20mg after 7 days. The first 10 days were awful, but reading these reviews helped. I took 8 days off work (I never take sick days). I had extreme nausea, headaches, body aches, complete loss of appetite, poor sleep, increased constant anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and dizziness. I did not leave my bed for 4 days. Clonazepam and Ativan helped with the sleep, panic attacks, and anxiety and got me through the first two weeks. Then each day got easier, the symptoms lessened, and I started going to therapy. After 3 weeks, I was feeling like I did before the medication, and by 4 weeks, I was feeling a bit better than when the panic attacks and anxiety started taking over my life. At 5 weeks, the anxiety that I have dealt with on and off for 5 years is manageable and almost gone. I feel like me. Citalopram also helped clear up my IBS, which I know is connected to my anxiety. If you are on this drug and just starting out and wanting to quit, I would try your best to stick to it."

• Bil...
• July 20, 2017

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Completely changed my life. I was having severe anxiety accompanied with frequent panic attacks and was feeling hopeless about improvement. First two weeks on Celexa were terrible, but I can't necessarily attribute all symptoms as side effects because my anxiety was so bad it could have been that. I was waking up with night terrors, had extreme fatigue, dizziness, and dissociation. But then at some point I forgot about my anxiety and was living a normal life again. I started at 10 mg and went to 20 mg before coming back down to 10 mg due to improvement. After about 6 months I weaned off the drug completely and have only mild anxiety relapses currently."

• Sar...
• April 22, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on citalopram for a couple of months now and I absolutely love it. The only side effect I had was dizziness the next day after the first dose, but it went away. As of right now, no side effects at all, and I have noticed that I am more independent and more confident than I have ever been. Before this medication, I took Paxil, which was horrible. The side effects were the worst and the withdrawal (which I have read about) is bad as well, but I got over it. Before Celexa, I would be afraid to talk on the phone and do basic things like calling insurance companies, cable companies, etc. But now I have the confidence to call anyone and the change has been night and day. Highly recommend this medication!"

• luv...
• January 21, 2013

Citalopram for Depression "I have been on Celexa for nearly two weeks, and it has been a huge help. I can finally get up, bathe, get dressed, and go out. I am able to take my children to school and actually function. This is my first time taking meds, but I am open to them since I have an educational background in mental health. I am a grad school student and was first put on Prozac, but after nearly two weeks, I went from severe anxiety to falling into a deep, terrible depression that left me unable to function. My Dr. immediately switched me to Zoloft, but after only 4 days, I became severely nauseated. So, once again, I was switched to Celexa, and finally I can say that now I have gotten some serious relief. Only side effects are itching and dizziness. Good luck to you."

• Str...
• July 21, 2016

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on this medication for a week, after switching from Zoloft. My doctor started me on 20mg. I made the mistake of immediately going online to read reviews. Instead, my advice is to let the medication start to take effect. You will make yourself feel worse if you read the negative reviews. I can say that one week on this medication has turned out better than my previous medication. Everyone is different, so I think I found the one that works. Initially, you may have some insomnia, but it will pass once you start to feel more relaxed. I did have some tingly feelings in the hands, but that passed after day 4. I felt a head rush of sorts the first 5-6 days, where I felt high, but it too passed for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 16, 2013

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "In November 2012, After 4 years of unbearable symptoms (dizziness, headaches, facial neuralgia, sweats, spikes in blood pressure, ataxia, feeling like I was about to have a seizure) from about 5 times a week to 4 times a day and with medical investigations exhausted I decided it was time to try an SSRI. I had always insisted my symptoms caused my anxiety; not the other way round. Because of this, I put off taking the medication for about 2 years. I started on November 30th on 10mg. Felt slightly odd the next day but immediately noticed the anxiety was lessened. After 7 days I went onto 20mg/day. Things just got better and better. I'm still on the same dose now (Sept 2013). For me it has been fantastic. I'm pretty much 100% my old self."

• Kay...
• April 25, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "For many years I had been trying to live with anxiety until it reached a point when I realized I needed help. I often felt stressed and anxious with simple activities like going to the store, and couldn't hold a job or stick with things. Celexa made me happy again, helped me look at life as a glass half full, not empty. Started on 20, noticed some improvement but not complete relief...increased to 40, and then feeling great decided I no longer needed medication. Tapering off, withdrawal symptoms included: dizziness, shakiness, nausea, etc...also, anxiety returned full force. I'm back on it, I gave it an 8 because as effective as it is, therapy is an important component to include with treatment. I'll probably stay on this for many years!"

• Its...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2018

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Was on Zoloft for months for panic disorder. Thought nothing could ever help me. After months of going from 25 mg to 200 mg of Zoloft, my doctor finally switched my medication to the same one (Celexa) my mother takes for depression. The first about 8 days or so were awful. Withdrawing Zoloft and Celexa side effects. Hot flashes, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, extreme panic, and tiredness. Then suddenly I just felt better. Happier. Less anxious. Normal again. It saved my life!"

• wor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 8, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I was on citalopram for 13 years and coped through some pretty bad times and health scares, and I was able to cope. Came off them two months ago and got vertigo, which scared the life out of me. I started having panic attacks, feelings of constant doom, and that my life was over. I felt odd in certain lights, like I wasn't balanced in the room, and it was horrific. Lost two stone in 3 weeks! Moral of the story is now I'm back on citalopram, I am starting to get better again, and I never want to stop taking them again... ever! I would likely have coped with the situation if I hadn't come off these. The feelings of dread are going and starting to feel like me again. This drug does wonders."

• Mam...
• March 21, 2016

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Celexa for two days now and have had almost no side effects whatsoever. I was super hesitant about taking it as both the reviews I read and the doctor who gave it to me told me it would cause bad anxiety for the first week. I was pleasantly surprised when I took my first 20mg dose, as it helped my anxiety almost immediately. I have a bit of nausea and fatigue, along with a bit of dizziness but nothing serious. This is the first time I have gone a day without anxiety in three years, and I know it's not a placebo effect since I initially believed the medication would do the opposite. My sister suffers from depression and after seeing my reaction to the medication is considering seeing a doctor to try it out."

• kha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 23, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "First starting taking citalopram 3 years ago at the suggestion of my therapist. I was nervous to go on medication, but it was getting to the point that I was having intrusive suicidal thoughts at work and had panic attacks on the regular. My psychiatrist said it would take a few weeks to kick in, but within days I was starting to feel better. It was the first time in years I got through the day without chest pains! I can go months without a single panic attack now. I originally started on 10 mg, but have been on a dose of 20 mg for the past two years. The only real side effect I noticed was a lack of sex drive for the first few months. Please listen to your doctor and your body, they know what is best for you. For me, it was an absolute life changer! One warning: do NOT quit cold turkey. Briefly, when I could not afford my medication, I stopped for a month. I experienced agitation, panic attacks, dizziness, blurry vision, and nausea."

• jmp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2014

Citalopram for Depression "I have taken 4 doses of Celexa thus far. I noticed changes about 24 hours in. Prior to starting, I was very out of it, sad, withdrawn, had urges to hurt myself, had no appetite, experienced nausea/vomiting, and had anxiety. I saw my doctor for my worsening depression, and she added Celexa to my other meds (Wellbutrin, Lamictal, Geodon). I had been on that combination and the same dosages since May 2014. My boss noticed major negative changes since May. Today I am a little dizzy and nauseous, but otherwise feeling much better, which is weird. I am not used to this feeling. I was worried this was too drastic of a change because it had been only 24 hours, but after reading other reviews, I am optimistic."

• Tyl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 20, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "The Pro: I've been on 40 mg citalopram for 8 years now. I can safely say, it's done the trick. 95% of the time, my mood is great and my conditions are few and far between, friends and family have seen a huge difference. The Con: It's weakened my stomach lining, and I get heartburn quite often. I tend to run out of energy by 3 p.m. each day. If I miss more than 3 days, I'll get extreme head pains and be dizzy (very unpleasant, set reminders). My Advice: It took my body around 5-6 months to adjust and actually work as intended, don't expect it to be a magic pill that will fix you in a few weeks. Give it time to work. Expect some sort of side effect to appear at some point, the pro outweighs the cons hugely, though! Keep your chin up :)"

• Bet...
• August 6, 2017

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Mom was put on 10 mg. Then Dr. increased to 20 mg, and her husband passed away, and Dr. increased to 40 mg. She kept falling, blacking out, and having dizzy spells. I kept asking Dr. if it could be any of her medications, and they said no. Then she started having signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's. On her first diagnosis, she was diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer's. We saw no signs or family history of Alzheimer's. You see that coming 4-5 years out. After fighting this for 4 months after diagnosis, I decided the only thing that was changed was adding Celexa, so I weaned her off Celexa, and in 3 weeks we had our Mom back from the Alzheimer's state that she was in."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I struggle with anxiety and have done so for many years, I was put on citalopram 10 mg but just stared at the box for 3 months, worrying about the side effects. I upped the courage one day and cut the tablet in half (the doctor said I could). I instantly felt different after about 30 to 40 minutes. I felt calm. I’m on day 4, and the side effects I’ve experienced are feeling sick (only for the first day), headaches, sweating a lot, feeling dizzy (calming down a little bit), and not being able to sleep at night. I don’t feel as anxious, panic attacks have calmed down, I’m able to get out of the house again. These tablets do take time to kick in, and I’m still waiting for the full effect to kick in. The side effects can be very hard to deal with, but pull through. These tablets are safe and are to help but do not work straight away❤️"

• jac...
• June 7, 2011

Citalopram for Panic Disorder "One day, six years ago, I became consumed with anxiety. Panic attacks, head pressure, foggy head, pressure in my ear, nausea, dizziness, and tingling appendages appeared literally out of the blue and became my life at 26 years old. I went to numerous doctors who tested me for EVERYTHING. I managed with Xanax, which seemed to be the only thing that made me feel normal again for brief periods of time. I just wasn't myself, and I longed for my old life when I felt confident and in control. I didn't want to believe that it could all be in my mind and was convinced that I had some unknown disorder. Finally, I went to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with Panic Disorder and GAD. I was prescribed Celexa 20."

• Mia...
• April 17, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started taking citalopram 4 weeks ago for anxiety. I felt rubbish, with symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, and nausea for 9 days, then I started to feel so much better. This is the best pick-me-up I have had in ages. My husband said, why didn't you start them sooner? I feel so much better. Give them a go....."

• kim...
• February 14, 2012

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been on 10 mg of citalopram for just over 2 weeks, and I noticed a huge difference after 5 days! I was put on them for generalized anxiety as I couldn't get in my car and drive on my own after passing my test in Nov 10. The first few days I didn't feel 'all there', dizzy and sick and yawned like mad, it's worn off a bit now, I'm sleeping better, have lost 3 pounds since taking them, feel better in myself, and my driving and confidence are getting better by the day! I've also suffered from depression after losing my dad 16 months ago, and the doc seems to think the anxiety has stemmed from that. I would take these just before bed, as otherwise you can't sleep, but they are great! I'm happy anyway."

• Boo...
• May 9, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on this medication for around 3.5 weeks now, and the difference is amazing. Pros - My temper has calmed considerably, I don't feel foggy or anxious the whole time, I can sleep, and the most amazing thing is that the bulimia episodes have pretty much stopped altogether! Cons - I have pretty much no appetite to the extent that I remind myself to eat or I feel ill, a bit of dizziness, really tired the first couple of weeks, but now I feel like I have lots of energy, upset stomach a few times. It's only early days, but I'm actually laughing and feel human again! I'm hoping that these help me to resolve issues going forward."

• Cns...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I started citalopram 4 days ago and have had terrible diarrhea and stomach pains, along with feeling dizzy. By the looks of the reviews, this is very common? I’m hoping this drug helps as I've never taken antidepressants before, as always opted for the natural/therapy route for the last 17 years. I've suffered since I was 16, now 33. But I think this year has tipped me off my edge with losing my dad in May 2020, and then stressed from work, and then all this COVID virus just made me ten times worse to a point I got gastritis and can’t even sit in the car for 5 minutes without tensing up and feeling awful with pains and panicking and reaching for a diazepam. I really hope this tablet works as it is awful how bad I've got in the last few months with my anxieties."