Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Are The Side Effects Of Citalopram?
Question: the only health care I have is through the IHS_ XXXXXXX Nation. About July 21 I saw the doctor for annual exam. He said "it didn't look good" for me to continue valium (2 ea. 5mg/day as needed for anxiety) to Klonopin, .5mg twice/day - EVERY day. Within 36 hours I experienced extreme irritability and refused to take additional Klonopin. He has refused to renew my valium.
On August 9, I saw the same doctor for this reason. Unknown to me, he replaced my Zoloft, which I have used with great success for over 12 years, to something called citalopram, 20mg/day.The doctor told me Do Not Taper Down from the Zoloft, but to start the citalopram immediately I tried it for 2 weeks and experienced basically an emotional breakdown. I restarted my Zoloft that night and now am back to my "normal". What was he thinking? Why no tapering down? He's driving me nuts.
Most these comments were expressed in my previous contact. The main difference now is my 2 week trial with citalopram ended in an emotional breakdown.
I need your response regarding this doctor's treatment regimen and the abrupt and highly negative results. I have already talked with the clinic administrator once. It's time to visit him again - with written proof of the dangers I have been subjected to.
I have no income and therefore depend on the free health care provided through IHS.
On August 9, I saw the same doctor for this reason. Unknown to me, he replaced my Zoloft, which I have used with great success for over 12 years, to something called citalopram, 20mg/day.The doctor told me Do Not Taper Down from the Zoloft, but to start the citalopram immediately I tried it for 2 weeks and experienced basically an emotional breakdown. I restarted my Zoloft that night and now am back to my "normal". What was he thinking? Why no tapering down? He's driving me nuts.
Most these comments were expressed in my previous contact. The main difference now is my 2 week trial with citalopram ended in an emotional breakdown.
I need your response regarding this doctor's treatment regimen and the abrupt and highly negative results. I have already talked with the clinic administrator once. It's time to visit him again - with written proof of the dangers I have been subjected to.
I have no income and therefore depend on the free health care provided through IHS.
Brief Answer:
You might want to go back to your original medications.
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
I'm Dr. Neel Kudchadkar and I'll help you with this perplexing issue.
I can understand the quite reasonable stress you've been through, this ordeal, as you describe it, of being taken from regimen to regimen.
I feel that we have to agree and decide on a diagnosis, based on this we can build a wonderful foundation for effective management of your well being.
Given the facts placed in front of me, that you have been given Benzodiazepines (Valium and Klonopin) and SSRI's(Zoloft and Citalopram); we both are at a consensus that you might be having issues with anxiety.
Let us consider some points.
1. Zoloft, also called as Sertraline, is indeed given in tandem with medicines like
Klonopin. The reason is that although Zoloft is great for anxiety, it is known to
cause an increase in anxiety a week or so for some time after it has been
started. Now, as you know, Valium and Klonopin, decrease anxiety.
2. I fully agree with you that, indeed, your personal opinions and wishes should
have been sought, and Zoloft, being more highly potent (stronger) than
Citalopram, could and should have been tapered off.
3. The emotional breakdown that you mention is for real. It was not feigned, and
nor was it borne out for any secondary gain. It could have been avoided.
Let us be practical here and now.
1. Zoloft (Sertraline) has a proven track record of working for you. Keep taking it.
2. If you do not like Klonopin, you can stop it. Note that you will have to reduce
0.25 mg at a time for a week each. This is important information as you might
face undesirable withdrawals.
3. You are correct when you state that you like Valium better. Why? It has a long
action and lesser side effect profile as compared to Klonopin.
4. Furthermore, kindly note that both Zoloft and Citalopram belong to the same
class of drugs called as SSRI's, which are prescribed for exactly the same
reasons.
Given these important facts which you know to be true:
"You might wish to revert to Zoloft and Valium."
"There is no indication for a change in the drug regimen."
Kindly present your doctor with these medical facts.
If he or she desists, I would find another physician, if I were you.
Feel free to ask me questions and practical doubts.
Thanks and regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Health Care Magic.
You might want to go back to your original medications.
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
I'm Dr. Neel Kudchadkar and I'll help you with this perplexing issue.
I can understand the quite reasonable stress you've been through, this ordeal, as you describe it, of being taken from regimen to regimen.
I feel that we have to agree and decide on a diagnosis, based on this we can build a wonderful foundation for effective management of your well being.
Given the facts placed in front of me, that you have been given Benzodiazepines (Valium and Klonopin) and SSRI's(Zoloft and Citalopram); we both are at a consensus that you might be having issues with anxiety.
Let us consider some points.
1. Zoloft, also called as Sertraline, is indeed given in tandem with medicines like
Klonopin. The reason is that although Zoloft is great for anxiety, it is known to
cause an increase in anxiety a week or so for some time after it has been
started. Now, as you know, Valium and Klonopin, decrease anxiety.
2. I fully agree with you that, indeed, your personal opinions and wishes should
have been sought, and Zoloft, being more highly potent (stronger) than
Citalopram, could and should have been tapered off.
3. The emotional breakdown that you mention is for real. It was not feigned, and
nor was it borne out for any secondary gain. It could have been avoided.
Let us be practical here and now.
1. Zoloft (Sertraline) has a proven track record of working for you. Keep taking it.
2. If you do not like Klonopin, you can stop it. Note that you will have to reduce
0.25 mg at a time for a week each. This is important information as you might
face undesirable withdrawals.
3. You are correct when you state that you like Valium better. Why? It has a long
action and lesser side effect profile as compared to Klonopin.
4. Furthermore, kindly note that both Zoloft and Citalopram belong to the same
class of drugs called as SSRI's, which are prescribed for exactly the same
reasons.
Given these important facts which you know to be true:
"You might wish to revert to Zoloft and Valium."
"There is no indication for a change in the drug regimen."
Kindly present your doctor with these medical facts.
If he or she desists, I would find another physician, if I were you.
Feel free to ask me questions and practical doubts.
Thanks and regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Health Care Magic.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
