Citalopram

[george117]

Hi i'm 16 years old and have just been given Citalopram to take. I wont begin taking it until monday because my birthday is sunday but am worried about the fact its not commonly used for people of my age and have read information saying it can make younger people much worse. I just wondered if people who had been on it had had side effects from taking it and how soon they began to kick in?

[daffy654]

My daughter was on it from age 16 to 18 to treat chronic depression and borderline personality disorder. The only side effects she had from it were weight gain and tiredness. She was also on risperidone as well so the side effects could have been from the mixture of the 2. Try reading through this site to get some ideas from people who have actuallttaken the drug.

http://experience.patient.co.uk/discussion_lis t.php?d=99

I hope you feel better soon.x

[smudge]

Hi George - I've been taking Citalopram for the last 3 months (due to feeling quite low worrying about our daughter - altho' I don't let her know that).

I felt quite sick for the first week & nearly gave up, but it soon subsided & I soon got back to normal activities. I'm feeling the benefit of taking them now & they can help you to sleep better too.

You've made the right decision to start taking it after your birthday & if you are at school, college or work, may be best to warn your teacher, tutor or boss, that you may feel a bit icky for a few days (altho' you may not).

Good luck.

[josie48]

geptrorge117, Please ba careful. All SSRI's were banned to the under 18's 3 years ago due to them causing suicidal tendencies. Your gp is breaking the law by prescribing Citalopram to you. There are other anti-depressants i-e the old Trycylics. Please think twice before taking the ssri.

[josie48]

george (sorry)

[george117]

thanks. yeh my friend told me theres one thats approved for under 18s and thats all they give out. was abit surprised to get the citalopram but im gonna give it a go. i wont know if im any worse mentally cos i already get the suicidal thoughts and have hurt myself etc.

[smudge]

I wasn't aware of those facts josie & assumed that George's GP would have been aware of them.

In that case I gree with you & IAP - I would certainly phone or go go back to your GP & make doubly sure that you've been given the correct medication George.

Good luck.

[Laura Loo]

Hi George I was on it for post-natal depression and gave up on it after about 4 weeks because I was hallucinating and feeling worse. However i think the doctor prescribed it to me without properly considering whether or not i need it.

Any thing is worth a go if you're feeling that down, give it some time and most of luck stay strong and good luck!

[smudge]

If ever you do have those thoughts again George, just remember you have lots of friends on here to chat to.

Take care. -xx-

[george117]

thanks :)... yeh i will give it a go im sure she knows she gave me the right thing cos i had to go see psychiatrists before she'd give me them so it cant be a mistake. but i did tell her some bad stuff. probabaly thought i needed them just worrying about side effects

[andy-hughes]

The issue of the appropriateness of this medication aside - the side-effects of any anti-depressant to vary from individual to individual.

Don't be frightened by the leaflet in the box, which lists ALL the potential side-effects. This is to cover the manufacturer in law - it is virtually impossible for anyone to have all the side-effects listed, but it does make frightening reading!

I have taken Citalopram for a number of years, and I found initial side-effects to be headaches and nausea - both mild - and occasional disturbed sleep, but all these levelled out after about three weeks.

The rules for any anti-depressant are to allow about three weeks for your system to absorb and assimilate the medication - if side-effects persist, speak to your GP.

If you have any easy or difficult times, do not be tempted to adjust your intake, and on no account stop taking your medication at any time without consulting your GP.

On a human note - I wish you well in this difficult time - you will get past this - promise.

A.

[beanebabe]

George - if you are just feeling a bit down, talking is probably the best medicine! There are plenty of us on here to share your problems with. I guarantee there is nothing you are experiencing or feeling that 'we' haven't been through at one time or another. You probably think that no 'grown-up' could possibly understand what you are feeling. Believe me most of us have 'been there, done that'. Have a lovely birthday.

[gina32]

i was told that the drug wasnt addictive

[weeal]

anti-depressants can have terrible side-affects, better if you can avoid them really, possibly with herbal remedies

[josie48]

All SSRI's are addictive including Seroxat/paroxetine,the defective ssri. SSRI's were hailed as the miracle cure for depression back in the 90's. They cause weight gain, cause people to have vivid nightmares,sinus problems thus causing headaches. although there are people who have had little or no problems,they are the minority.

[josie48]

I could'nt agree more weeal.

[wolf63]

If George is suffering from clinical depression (it may be something else) it is not at all helpful to tell him to NOT take his medication. It is obvious that both his GP and psychiatrist have decided that they should at least try him on this medication.

I have been on a combination of Citalopram and Lithium for a few years and have had no problems, they have helped me and improved my health. I am still bipolar but life is no longer one long surreal nightmare - in my case giving up a stressful job really helped.

I took Seroxat about 10 years ago and ended up very ill and almost flying. But just because it didn't suit me I would never advise anybody to avoid it. Always proceed with caution with any new medication.

St Johns Wort is excellent and really does work - but not for everybody, it is not really effective for severe depression.

My psychiatrist also told me to take omega 3 epa capsules - I take two per day. http://www.healthyandessential.co.uk/shop/

I wish you well George.

[gina32]

josie they are not addictive read this
http://www.nmhct.nhs.uk/pharmacy/depr2.htm