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How Long Does Citalopram Take To Take Effect?
Question: I started on Citalopram for depression and anxiety nearly six weeks ago.I started at 10mg per day and titrated up by increments of 10mg per week so I am now on 60mg per day.I know that each person is different but is their a typical time frame before expecting to feel an improvement and does the depression improve first or the anxiety ?
Although I have been taking it for nearly 6 weeks I understand that I have only been on a therapeutic dose (20mg) for less time so I believe my stating point would be from week 2
Thank you in advance regards XXXX
Although I have been taking it for nearly 6 weeks I understand that I have only been on a therapeutic dose (20mg) for less time so I believe my stating point would be from week 2
Thank you in advance regards XXXX
Brief Answer:
It is difficult to comment which one improves first
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood your concerns.
The adequate trial for a drug for response is 4 to 6 weeks in effective dose. the effective dose for citalopram is 20-60 mg. So if you are taking 60 mg for more than 4 weeks and not improving then you might think about visiting your treating doctor for augmentation of citalopram with other antidepressant drugs.
It is very difficult to comment on which one improves first but as per my clinical knowledge the anxiety symptoms will improve earlier than depressive symptoms.
In my opinion, if you have up to 50% reduction in your symptoms with this dose of citalopram, then you should give 2 weeks more time to it. Even after another 2 weeks your symptoms won't improve to 75 to 80% then you need augmentation by or switch to another antidepressant.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
It is difficult to comment which one improves first
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood your concerns.
The adequate trial for a drug for response is 4 to 6 weeks in effective dose. the effective dose for citalopram is 20-60 mg. So if you are taking 60 mg for more than 4 weeks and not improving then you might think about visiting your treating doctor for augmentation of citalopram with other antidepressant drugs.
It is very difficult to comment on which one improves first but as per my clinical knowledge the anxiety symptoms will improve earlier than depressive symptoms.
In my opinion, if you have up to 50% reduction in your symptoms with this dose of citalopram, then you should give 2 weeks more time to it. Even after another 2 weeks your symptoms won't improve to 75 to 80% then you need augmentation by or switch to another antidepressant.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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