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What Causes Excessive Sleepiness After Having Citalopram?
Question: in answer to questions sent to me. 1. i've been taking citalopram for about 3 yrs. 2. i am not grieving over my husband now, but the sleepiness is overbearing. 3. excessive sleepiness has gone on almost 3 yrs. since hubby's death and 2 yrs. during his being home with me and hospice's care. 4. answered in #3 5. i take prednizone- only for few months;several meds. for high blood pressure; warfarin; gabapentin from leg pain---- for blood clots developed in 1997.
natural meds. : flaxseed oil; b-6 ( to try to stay awake); and ocuvite vitamins.
thanks for your help. XXXXXXX XXXXX YYYY@YYYY
natural meds. : flaxseed oil; b-6 ( to try to stay awake); and ocuvite vitamins.
thanks for your help. XXXXXXX XXXXX YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
Current treatment can be supplemented with activating medication
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and answer provided by Dr. XXXXXXX for follow up.
In light of available history and evidence we can say that Citalopram is doing its job other than the management of sleep problem. Having said this the discontinuation of citalopram is not right strategy in dealing with sleepiness.
It will be more appropriate to supplement the citalopram with some other activating drug like Bupropion or Modafinil. These medicine can be quite useful when sleepiness are the only problem after treatment with SSRI group of medications (Citalopram). The other thing which need to be done is shifting of full dose of Citalopram to night so it can be ensured that daytime sleepiness is not due to citalopram.
I do not have any details about your BMI and body weight. If it is to higher side and you have short neck the excessive sleepiness could be due to obstructive sleep apnea. If it is so please get the sleep study done from nearby sleep laboratory. This will help us in understanding the sleep architecture which will be useful for clinical judgement and management.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards
Current treatment can be supplemented with activating medication
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and answer provided by Dr. XXXXXXX for follow up.
In light of available history and evidence we can say that Citalopram is doing its job other than the management of sleep problem. Having said this the discontinuation of citalopram is not right strategy in dealing with sleepiness.
It will be more appropriate to supplement the citalopram with some other activating drug like Bupropion or Modafinil. These medicine can be quite useful when sleepiness are the only problem after treatment with SSRI group of medications (Citalopram). The other thing which need to be done is shifting of full dose of Citalopram to night so it can be ensured that daytime sleepiness is not due to citalopram.
I do not have any details about your BMI and body weight. If it is to higher side and you have short neck the excessive sleepiness could be due to obstructive sleep apnea. If it is so please get the sleep study done from nearby sleep laboratory. This will help us in understanding the sleep architecture which will be useful for clinical judgement and management.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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