Citalopram
 

I've just been given Citalopram by my doctor for depression and i noticed they list attempted suicide as a common side effect. I'm not suicidal but i have recently started SHing.
The doctor and the pharacist both say it's safe but should i be worried they class suicide attempt as a common side effect or am i reading too much into it?

I didn't feel suicidal when I took it. However, I did feel a lot of nausea and so was put on a different ad. I think that attempted suicide in the first two weeks is a side effect of a lot of antidepressants. Something to do with the changing levels of serotonin and other hormones, and the fact it can seem like it is taking ages for them to help.

Thats what I heard and found anyway. With a conscientious doctor who keeps track of how you're feeling, I wouldn't be too worried.

I found citalopram made me worse. But that may be just me. If your that concerned speak with your doctor again.

its a more extreme side effect, but rare fortunatley. there's a debate about whether feeling worse in the first 6-8 weeks is due to the medication or due to it taking time to build up and the patient's disappointment that it isn't working 'yet'.

the dr told me that when i was on it.
good luck and hope it works for you. mand x

It is possible that with starting an antidepressant people can get thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If you notice this then it's really important you go straight back to your doctor.

It happened with me when I was on seroxat.

starting any antidepressant has this side affect, give it few weeks it u feel better then it is right for u, if not go back and ask for alternative.

It may or may not be the reason you've started. As far as I know it is a side affect of ALL antidepressants, mainly because of changes in the way your brain adjusts to the drug and patient expectations etc as well as it is often around the same time as people coming to accept their problem or having to do things which help them face up to it. It is pretty common however not the only reason why people SH or have suicidal ideas/ tendencies. As said, it shouldn't last forever and if you are worried this is the cause I would urge you to go back and talk to your doctor as they may be able to help in someway as seeing a doctor because of self harm is easier to help sooner rather than later in most cases.

The reason why it says it pretty obviously on the packaging is because of how dangerous it is and to make people aware that they do have to get checked out if they are having this side effect to make sure they are getting the help they need etc. It doesn't mean you will just get it, it is just a possibility; if everyone did then they wouldn't be able to prescribe the drug to anyone as it would lose it's license. But yep, it's not all just down to expectations, a lot is due to the brain adjusting to it as the level is higher than that in a placebo tested group (a placebo group is where the patients there are given tablets which are little more than sugar but not told this... however, you will know you are in the study and you could be on these if they are using them on you/ taking data from you as it needs your agreement so don't worry about that.)

hey, im on citalopram (kind of)

I think some anti depressants have that as a side effect, because apparently motivation improves before thoughts of suicide/worthlessness etc and because are so used to the thoughts, the motivation is there to act on them. My nurse told me that even if one person lists it as a side effect, then it has to be recorded, So even if it is very very rare, (only a few people get the side effect out of millions who have took it) then it has to be noted.

But if you do start to get increased thoughts of suicide/self harm etc, please tell some one xx

Hey guys, thanks for your replies.

I don't feel suicidal but I am going back to see the doctor because the tablets are just making the insomnia worse. I don't think i've had more than 4 hours sleep in the last 2 nights. falling asleep at my desk doesn't look good!

Yea I find it allot harder to sleep too x

hi I had that drug but it didn't work for me. I'm on Mirtazapine which has a sedative in so helped me with sleeping. Sometimes you need to try a few different kinds before you find one that suits you.

Ditto, im on citalopram (?) and its making my insomnia worse. re: thoughts of suicide etc make sure you do tell your doctor if you have any increased thoughts of hurting yourself or others, its something they need to monitor carefully

*hugs*