Medication Question - Citalopram

[Ratatouille strychnine]

After about a 10 minute consultation with a GP at my university medical centre, it has been decided that I am depressed and I have been prescribed Citalopram.

I've read the little slip in the box it came with but that's about all the information I have for it. Is there anything I need to know about it or about anti-depressants in general?

I know you're not supposed to have alcohol while on them but does that mean I shouldn't drink to excess or I shouldn't have anything?

How common are the side effects listed?

Is there anything else I should know as I've never been on any form of anti depressants before and I don't know how theyare going to affect me.

Thanks

I've been on Citalopram. Infact it was the first anti-depressant i went on - i believe it's quite a common anti-depressant to start off on.

It affected me quite badly in regards to my mood swings, so i was taken off it. However i have a friend who has been on Citalopram for around 2-3 years, and she has had no side affects.

All anti-depressants have side effects (much like any medication really). The usual are Insomnia/low sex drive/appetite increase/decrease, changes in moods etc. It's probably best to look up the side effects fully online if they aren't all mentioned in the leaflet (although they should be).
Some people have no side effects at all. Others just have the very minor side effects.
If you have severe side effects (same with anything really) such as breathing difficulties/swelling of the throat, stop them straight away and see your GP again.

I drank while on Citalopram but not excessively. We're talking a glass every so often of wine. I wouldn't suggest going out on a weekly basis to get drunk though.

Remember starting on anti-depressants can take 2-3 weeks to kick in. So don't be too hasty! But if you find they aren't for you then speak to your GP, it can take a while sometimes to find a suitable anti-depressant.

Take care of yourself and Goodluck
xxx

[slacker]

i was on them for about 8 months. i had memory loss and it didn't really shift my stuff (which is way to heavy duty anyways) so i was put onto prozac, which doesn't really do much but does take the edge off some stuff. i don't know how common the memory loss stuff is and it was quite subtle until i was getting lots of cranky comments from others

may be an idea to discuss your concerns with the prescribing doctor beforehand - if you can - and what other options might be available, and monitor any changes that might crop up and tell the doctor as soon as possible

Citalopram didn't help me, but I know it has for some people, but I thought I'd chip in that a side effect of citalorpam that I got was it seriously owered my tolerance for alcohol. I usually ignore the no alcohol signs, and am able to tolerate being a lightwieght and I'm not condoning drinking on meds, just explaining that I found citalopram is a killer for turning you into a lightweight, so if you were going to drink on it make sure the first time you do it somewhere safe with someone safe just so you can get an idea of whether it affects you and how much if it does. (I discovered the affects when the week after being prescribed it I had an 18th birthday party and erm.... well, yeah, really embarassed myself).

[Minty]

I was on these for a bit . They were ok but didnt help my depression a tiny bit. Although I've known many people who really responded to them very well. In terms of side effects most tend to go within the first couple of weeks anyway and its kind of hit or miss whether you get them . If you feel concerned by any way you are feeling go to the doc asap especially if its accelerating your depression or is pointing out as one of the main side effects and is serious. With the alcohol I think this is person Dependant I was told by my doctor i could drink a little but not binge drink..... I still did with no effect but I wouldn't recommend it as theres no way of knowing until you do how it will effect you.

Remember with meds that nothing is set in stone you can always get them reviewed and changed if needs be. I hope these work well for you

[GirlAfraid]

I've been on Citalopram for over a year.

I didn't really get any side effects, except for drowsiness when I first started taking it but that goes away as your body gets used to the drug. My depression is by no means cured though... I guess it takes the edge off a little.

You can get away with drinking small amounts, like one glass of wine or something...

And this is where I get hypocritical, so sorry about that lol... Really it would be in your best interests to avoid alcohol generally, even if you weren't on anti-depressants, as it can make you feel worse if you suffer from depression.

Hope it works out for you :) x

[green.eyes]

i'm on citalopram. i love it!!! its better than anything else i've been on. different things work for different people so give it time and if it doesnt work try something else.
i didnt have any major side effect except weird mood swings when it first kicked in.
i drink on them (excessively at times) and havent had a problem. i was tod just to drink in moderation though.
hope this helps
take care
x

[*Fading_existence*]

I was on citalopram for 7 months, it was the first one i started on. I personally didnt suffer from any side affects but it is different for everyone. I was ok it steadied me out for a long time just making it ok to get through each day, nothing major -just helped my mood stablise as such.

I think a little bit of alcohol should be fine, just be careful as others have said.

I found that when my mood got really bad i ended up on 60mg which is the highest you can get -I had real trouble on this -like i felt i was on a different planet and i really wasnt with the real world but then i went to the doctor and he changed them within a week. As i said side effects are different for everyone. Plus they wont give you that much striaght away.

Good luck, hope it helps
xxx

[Spoons]

Thats what the university medical centre was likme with me, barely opened my mouth and i was being given anti deptressents.

I drank whilst on citalopram but dont drink in excess, becasue you will find yourslef falling asleep. drink mixed with citalopram can be quite sedating.
a drink every now and again is fine but dont obver do it.

[Ratatouille strychnine]

Thanks for all the advice and information people.

I've had my first one today and nothing really to report but I know it's early days.

The following content has been hidden - Reason : Rather Adult

One thing I'm slightly wary of is the decreased libido as my girlfriend has a bigger sex drive than me at the bet of times and she seems to associate me not wanting to have sex with her at a given moment with me not thinking her attractive etc.

She doesn't know I'm on them and if it does affect me in that way I don't know how I'll explain it.