Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 05:29:16

Title: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 05:29:16
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fdoh%2F1.gif&hash=5735892d469a4533f4f2ec4dd35a0262)
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 05:31:46
Hey Doc what do you know about a drug called Citalopram???
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 05:34:27
It's a SSRI. Prescribed for minor depression usually.
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 05:43:14
It's a SSRI. Prescribed for minor depression usually.

Is this one addictive?
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 05:46:51
I understand it is generic for cellerex or something like that This is one I have never taken until now..others have been.. not very effective. this  is newer and I know nothing about it other then a quick flier read.
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 05:54:51
SSRIs are not thought to be addictive. Certainly they're a lot safer than older treatments.

Have a look here [/url]http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ssris/MH00066[/url]
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 06:10:32
Thanks doc That explained some about nausea, rash, increased sweating,drowsiness,Insomnia, agitation restlessness! All have increased at least by half... LOL
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 09:33:19
I happen to have a pack of Citalopram sitting next to me at the moment.
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 09:42:11
Doc does it work assuming you know! At the moment it seems to be making me feel worse! will it get better.. it has only been a few days and I know it may take weeks..
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 09:56:51
Doc does it work assuming you know! At the moment it seems to be making me feel worse! will it get better.. it has only been a few days and I know it may take weeks..

Research indicates that it can be effective. However, when Citalopram was prescribed for me I only took it for a couple of weeks before giving myself a hefty kick up the backside and forcing myself to "snap out of it".

You're right - it can take 6 weeks to start working.
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: dentstudent on 10/07/2007 10:00:30
Doc does it work assuming you know! At the moment it seems to be making me feel worse! will it get better.. it has only been a few days and I know it may take weeks..

Research indicates that it can be effective. However, when Citalopram was prescribed for me I only took it for a couple of weeks before giving myself a hefty kick up the backside and forcing myself to "snap out of it".

You're right - it can take 6 weeks to start working.

I know someone who is taking Prozak (spelling?) - this worked immediately, but does take a while to come off, because you don't want to revert to the depression.
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 10:00:38
Doc does it work assuming you know! At the moment it seems to be making me feel worse! will it get better.. it has only been a few days and I know it may take weeks..

Research indicates that it can be effective. However, when Citalopram was prescribed for me I only took it for a couple of weeks before giving myself a hefty kick up the backside and forcing myself to "snap out of it".

You're right - it can take 6 weeks to start working.

I am having a hard time with that healthy kick up the backside..failing miserably as a matter of fact!
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 10:04:25
Prozac (fluoxetine) is evil!
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 10:09:28
Doc does it work assuming you know! At the moment it seems to be making me feel worse! will it get better.. it has only been a few days and I know it may take weeks..

Research indicates that it can be effective. However, when Citalopram was prescribed for me I only took it for a couple of weeks before giving myself a hefty kick up the backside and forcing myself to "snap out of it".

You're right - it can take 6 weeks to start working.

I know someone who is taking Prozak (spelling?) - this worked immediately, but does take a while to come off, because you don't want to revert to the depression.

I must say I hate them and the idea again. She said these have side effects but not as severe as some of the others.

Yes it is evil! I hope these are better!
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 10:11:23
Citalopram is far preferable to Prozac.
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: dentstudent on 10/07/2007 10:13:44
What are the evilities of prozac?
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 10:21:28
I felt like I was not here. That everything was happening around me. Had worse problems.. then before not at first but after a while taking it.
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 10:27:43
Prozac taker = zombie
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 10:29:56
Yep That about sums it up doc.. No personality at all! vegetable like!
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: dentstudent on 10/07/2007 10:35:01
Maybe it depends on the individual? There are just not any of these kind of side effects at all! In fact, they are restored to their former personality (which wasn't a zombie). The person they'd become through depression was the zombie, and god awful it was too!
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 10:45:27
I have had that trouble this time round.. I don't feel like doing anything and frankly just getting on here was a major chore.. I love this place ... I just don't feel good..lethargic all the time major bad thoughts and constant tiredness.. But I can't sleep worth crud..so emotional I cannot handle it.. I have spent whole night on here with you all crying the whole time I type.. not being able to shut it off.then periods of complete opposite where Everything is funny and ok..But it only takes one thing a word a phrase, or nothing at all and boom back down again!
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: dentstudent on 10/07/2007 10:48:45
Well, this person was the opposite - an emotional rollercoaster - but as soon as the prozac started, it all went. It's interesting that it can have such an different effect on 2 people.
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/07/2007 10:54:01
I have never tried this new stuff so I hope it helps. I really believe all my other medications and the other treatments were a major problem with the prozac..
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 11:31:21
Well, this person was the opposite - an emotional rollercoaster - but as soon as the prozac started, it all went. It's interesting that it can have such an different effect on 2 people.

Different medications can affect people differently. They just have to find 1 that suits.
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: dentstudent on 10/07/2007 11:35:18
And, by the sounds of it, if they are mixed with others.......
Title: Re: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/07/2007 11:54:22
And, by the sounds of it, if they are mixed with others.......

Not usually a good idea (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Ffreak%2F3.gif&hash=59724fc053a75883ac996625a900f9d6)
Title: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 11/07/2007 01:54:49
And, by the sounds of it, if they are mixed with others.......

Not usually a good idea (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Ffreak%2F3.gif&hash=59724fc053a75883ac996625a900f9d6)

Not good at all!
Title: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Janie Jane on 07/11/2007 13:46:33
Hey Karen, here I am again trawling the site for answers to my sleep deprivation.  Sorry to hear you are down in the dumps.  I'm taking Citalopram too and am now into week 7 so maybe I can reassure you. 

I felt like sh*t for the first week to 10 days or so.  Edgy, nervous, anxious, sweating and I cried solidly the day after I started taking them.  I was told to hang in there and keep taking the pills for at least two weeks while you get over the early side effects.  In my experience this was the right advice. 

I also know, however, that when you feel as bad as you do in those early days you can't bear to think you'll feel rubbish for two weeks.  And it seems like an eternity away.  The time will pass.  I know it is exaggerated by the insomnia, the days seem long enough but those tiny 8 hours when everyone else is asleep are so much longer.  Its a rubbish situation to be in.  But one day you'll find yourself smiling and realise that it was worth it.

One caution, however, as a fellow insomniac, these pills have DEFINITELY affected my sleep.  I was bad enough before but right now I'm down to a couple of hours a night.  Hence doing the graveyard shift on this website the other night!  The research I've seen on insomnia points to a link with depression and anxiety.  But I'm not so sure whether its this that stops me sleeping or if insomnia is making me anxious and depressed.  Do you get it, a chicken and egg scenario.

For me, I'm willing to give it a try.  Even 7 weeks isn't such a long time to be on these pills so I'm still hanging in on the hope that in the long run they will cure my insomnia.  And trying my hardest to keep off the Zopiclone.  Three nights cold turkey now.  Given the chance I'd curl up under my duvet for a week and completely ignore the time in the hope that somehow I'd be able to 're-set' myself.

Good luck, chin up, and keep in touch xx
 
Title: What do you know about this antidepressant?
Post by: Karen W. on 07/11/2007 15:52:22
Hi Janie,  I was on the Citalopram for a lot longer then 7 weeks it was just over 4 months and it only got worse. The Doctor took me off because of the severe reactions I was having to them. She said she will start a new one soon we were trying to get a couple other meds in control first! That post was for back in July and I was new on the Citalopram.. It helped ease the depression and it was worse at the start but it got better, the only problem was it became ineffective and I began having some real bad side effects, these were not good side effects they were more them depressive... and I was in trouble. She took me off immediately.The symptoms stopped very quickly after the removal of the medication.. I was left in tears and still am until we start up a new one, but I have had tons of other problems I have been dealing with so hopefully soon I will be able to resolve some of the other issues and then maybe we can deal with the rest of the problems..