Meds - Anxiety Message Board

junglemonkey · 06-11-2006, 01:26 PM

Hey,

I've just been prescribed citalopram/cipramil/celexa and basically, as a vomit phobic, I'm worried about potential side effects. If you've had any experience of this drug, I'd appreciate if you could tell me if you were nauseated or you vomited?

Should I take this at night? I was on a tricyclic a couple of years back and I was told to take it at night to minimise side effects. If so, when?

I've been started on 20mg, but I thought that I should start with a lower dose. Perhaps, 10mg?

How long do side effects last?

Thankyou so much for any advice,
Lesley x

CircusSquirrel · 06-11-2006, 01:33 PM

While some nausea is somewhat common, actual vomiting with Celexa and other similar medications is rare. I think taking it in the morning is fine. Tricyclics can make a person tired or dizzy, that's probably why you were told to take that at night.

(s)aint · 06-11-2006, 11:49 PM

I started taking Citalopram a little over a month ago. I started at 10mg for two weeks, then my doc increased my dose to 20mg.

My anxiety in general made me feel very nauseated, so I don't know if I can accurately say if the drug made me feel sick or not. I did feel a slight increase of nausea when I started the medication. I was advised to take the med whenever I felt was the best time, so I don't think it matters if you take it at night or not. I initially took it at night, and felt an increase of anxiety as well as naseau, so I started taking it in the afternoon and felt much better. You'll find the time that works best for you. I suggest taking the pill with a little bit of food, I usually eat some of those digestive cookies for babies. My anxiety made it hard for me to eat anything, so most of the time I was taking the pill on an empty stomach, which could explain why I felt a little nauseated. I am too a vomit phobic, so I understand your concern. Honestly I only felt nausea the first two days and after that I was fine. I did not throw up and like CircusSquirrel said, actually vomiting is a rare side effect. I did have a few other side effects for about two weeks, but haven't noticed any recently.

I think 20mg is a bit much for a starting dose. Try starting at 5 or 10mg, you won't feel the side effects as much if you start off lower. Just remember that everyone's experience with medications will be different, so the way I felt initially on the drug may vary from how you will feel. If you have any more questions/concerns feel free to ask!

horseygirl14 · 06-12-2006, 08:51 PM

This thread helped me immensely. Thank you. I have been struggling with anxiety/panic attacks for about 1 and a half years and have just been diagnosed with mild depression as well. I am also a vomit phobic. My family dr. prescribed cipralex for me but I have been avoiding taking it due to the potential nausea side effects. I too feel nauseated a lot of the time and have lost a lot of weight due to not eating and I dread the thought of taking a medication that might make me feel nauseated. I know I am at a point where I think I need some medication to take the edge off but I don't want the side effects. I think I will try 5 mg to start off and then work my way up to 10 mg.