How long does it take for Citalopram to work? (5 factors)

In this article, we will discuss how long does it take for Citalopram (Celexa) to start working. We will also talk about what research suggests, what to do if you don’t get the desired effects, and what can happen if you suddenly discontinue Citalopram. 

How long does it take for Citalopram to work?

Citalopram usually takes about 1-4 weeks to start working. The drug reaches its required levels in the body within 4 hours of the initial dose.

However, it takes time for serotonin to reach optimum levels in the brain, which is how Citalopram works(2). Therefore, you may start to experience some improvements in your mood and anxiety symptoms after 1-4 weeks.

The slight improvements in mood, enhanced sleep, increased appetite and increased energy levels indicate that the medication is beginning to work. However, Citalopram takes around 8-12 weeks to show its full effects. 

What factors can affect the time taken by Citalopram to work?

Some contributing factors may affect the time taken by Citalopram to start working, including: 

• Dosage strength 
• Frequency of use
• Conditions for which Citalopram is prescribed
• Underlying health conditions like liver and kidney disease
• Concomitant use with other medicines which increases the duration of Citalopram

What are the early side effects of Citalopram?

You may experience a few side effects when you start taking Citalopram. These side effects may appear within the first few days. The early side effects of Citalopram vary from person to person and not everyone experiences all of them. 

Some early side effects may include:

• Headache
• Nausea 
• Diarrhoea
• Dry mouth
• Feeling tired 
• Excessive sweating 
• Feeling nervous and restless
• Insomnia
• Dizziness 
• Loss of appetite

However, Citalopram can cause some serious and rare side effects in some people including:

• Seizures
• Unconsciousness
• Nosebleeding
• Coma
• Concentration issues (1)

If you experience any of the above-mentioned side effects and they are not resolving on their own, you must see your doctor. 

What if Citalopram doesn’t start to work in 1-4 weeks?

If you don’t feel any improvement in your depression symptoms, you should remain patient and observe your overall condition before switching to a different antidepressant.

Antidepressant treatment is a trial-based therapy, as it involves trying different medications because not all of them are well-tolerated by everyone. However, if there’s still no improvement after 3 months, you should inform your doctor(4). 

They may adjust the dose or switch you to a different antidepressant after safely tapering off the previous one. 

How to know if Citalopram isn’t suitable for you?

If Citalopram isn’t suitable for you, you may experience difficulties with sleep, temporary mood improvement that doesn’t last, consistently low mood after 3 months, worsening depression etc. In this case, inform your doctor immediately. 

What can happen if you stop using Citalopram abruptly?

If you suddenly stop taking Citalopram, there is a chance that you may experience a condition known as “Discontinuation syndrome”. Its common symptoms may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Feeling sick
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Tiredness
• Trouble sleeping

Some serious side effects may also occur if you abruptly stop using Citalopram, including:

• Electric shocks
• Inconsistent heart rate
• Muscles and joint pains
• Imbalance (4)

To prevent yourself from these uncomfortable symptoms, you should see the doctor before suddenly stopping the medicine on your own.

Your doctor may recommend gradual tapering off the antidepressant therapy over a few weeks or months, depending on how long you have been taking Citalopram.

While tapering off the medication, it is important to consider that it takes time to leave your system completely. 

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed that Citalopram, an SSRI, usually takes 1-4 weeks to start working. It may take up to 8-12 weeks in some patients to show its complete therapeutic benefits. 

Some of you may start to observe improvements within hours; however, some patients may not feel any change in symptoms even after 2 weeks. The response to antidepressant therapy varies among patients due to physiological variations. 

You should never stop using Citalopram suddenly, as it may lead to discontinuation syndrome in some patients. 

If no progress is observed even after 3 months, consult your doctor. He will adjust the dose or switch you to another antidepressant therapy which is well-tolerated. 

References