Anyone Taking the Antidepressant Citalopram (Celexa)?

[LindaC1207]

I will be starting treatment on Friday, September 26th; my doctor gave me a prescription for Celexa yesterday and told me to start taking it on September 8th.  Is anyone else taking this antidepressant?  After reading about all the side effects with this drug and suicidal thoughts, I'm not sure I want to take it, althought if it helps made the sides a little easier to take on the Interferon, then it will be worth it.  I've never heard of this drug, is anyone else taking it?  If so, please tell me what you think about it and is it helping you while your on treatment?

I feel pretty good these days and I'm not the least bit depressed but as the date draws nearer, I find that I'm experiencing a lot of anxiety, I'm scrared.  I keep thinking positive thoughts and will be keeping my eye on the prize but it's hard, a year is a long time.  

Many thanks!
Linda

[evangelin]

My husband is on his third try at treatment.  The first attempt he did not use an antidepressant because he had never been prone to depression and didn't think he needed it...he was wrong.  He got very depressed and became like someone we could hardly recognize.  He also denied being depressed to the Dr. and so nothing was done.  It was a scarey and unsettling time for himself and those who love him to see how dark and depressed he became.  The next 2 treatments (includes the one he is on now)  he used Celexa and things were far better.  It doesn't keep him from getting a little grouchy but he still seems like himself and the anger and gloominess has stayed under control.  I could never face him on treatment without it again.  When he finishes Tx this time, we will take longer before he comes off it than we did last time.  He got in a hurray last time and it wasn't a good idea because the depressive effects take a while to get out of the system.  I would like to see him remain on celexa for at least 3 months (maybe even 6)afterward and wean off very slowly this time.  We lived and learned. Thank God for Celexa.
Best wishes,
Ev

[Marc1955]

Linda – I take it. I don't experience any side effects and it's definitely a big help.

What I've learned is that the Interferon definitely messes with the Serotonin receptors in your brain. This is a physiological reality. I had never suffered from major depression but about six weeks into treatment, I definitely did. Also, many patients undergoing combo therapy experience a "brain fog." It's hard to describe but it is very frustrating. The anti-depressant helps with both of these.

I waited to start the Citolopram. Of course you have that option. But it does take three weeks before it begins to work. When I finally started to take it, those three weeks were a pretty big deal so I regret I didn't go on it sooner. So I guess my advice is, if you trust your doctor and think he has your best interest at heart, I would be inclined to follow his advice.

BTW, I don't think the Citolopram will help with anxiety. It's an anti-depressant. But for me, it's a valuable part of the treatment regimen.

[dorsey15]

Dear Linda--
I'm in my 30 something'k week of treatment-- see you start losing all memory --hee hee
and did suffer from depression before treatment and had been on antidepressants for years....and I can tell you this treatment DOES mess with ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION..
somewhere between my 16-20th weeks I got really depressed and went to my pshc doc and we had to up my depression meds which have helped...
This treatment causes severe fatigue and bouts of insomnia which adds to depression--I couldn't get through it without my DEPRESSION MEDS.
That's my story and I'm stickin to it.  :)
Dorsey

[charm27]

I take it no sx. Take 20mg while on tx takes the edge off a little.
Good Luck

[drofi]

Hi Linda, perhaps this is interesting for you. After starting treatment with SSRI it will take some weeks to be effective. There is a lot of research about SSRI and  Interferon induced depression.
Best, drofi

Citalopram Effective for Interferon-Induced Depression in Hepatitis C

By Will Boggs, MD

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Apr 18 2008 (updated Apr 23) - The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram is effective in patients with hepatitis C who develop depression in association with interferon treatment, according to a report by German researchers in the April issue of Gut.

Given the effectiveness of the drug, prophylactic treatment of depression in these patients is not necessary, the researchers add.

Dr. Michael R. Kraus from the University of Wurzburg told Reuters Health, "This is important, because we should bear in mind that the majority of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients will not develop clinically relevant depression during antiviral treatment."

The investigators studied 100 outpatients with HCV during treatment with peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin. In the 28 patients (28%) who developed depression, Dr. Kraus and associates compared the effectiveness of citalopram vs placebo.

In depressed patients, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores had increased significantly during antiviral treatment but decreased significantly within 4 weeks after initiation of SSRI treatment. Placebo patients showed no significant improvement in HADS scores.

The study was terminated prematurely after a planned interim analysis showed a significant advantage for SSRI treatment.

Open-label citalopram therapy produced a "prompt and significant decrease" in depression scores in all five patients who failed placebo treatment, the report indicates.

There were no reported side effects that could be attributed to citalopram.

"During antiviral treatment, patients should be evaluated 3-4 times per 6 months," Dr. Kraus said. "Moreover, patients should be encouraged to always report severe depressive symptoms/adverse events at once, irrespective of the planned screening schedule."

"In our view, a general SSRI prophylaxis is not necessary in the absence of specific risk factors for interferon-induced depressive symptoms (e.g., previous therapy with IFN-associated depression)," Dr. Kraus explained.

"As far as the identification of risk factors for interferon-induced depression is concerned, our recent scientific focus is on molecular genetics," Dr. Kraus added. "We have found a significant impact of allelic variation in 5-HT(1A) receptor expression on the development of interferon-induced depression during antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C."

Gut 2008;57:531-536.

[NancyPF]

Hi there,

I did not think I needed AD's, but I went on them anyway at the insistance of my doctor, and my mood improved a lot, even before treatment.  I didn't even realize I was depressed but I definitely was because there was a big difference.  I tried the Celexa and it gave me headaches, but it's supposed to be one of the better ones.  I'm now on Lexapro and I haven't noticed any sides.  It's definitely a good idea to be on some type of AD while on tx.

Nancy

[links1999]

I started on this at the same time I started treatment. Had never taken an anti-depressant before. No side effects, but can't really vouch for it helping or not. Maybe it did and I'll never know. I did develop depression while on treatment, but maybe it would have been worse without it..

[RALPH44]

In six month no AD's here they also have their own sides.


Shelly

[smaug48]

After about 24 weeks of tx I decided to try taking an SSRI and was prescribed Celexa.  Then I had pretty bad insomnia that wouldn't go away so I stopped the Celexa and have just started Lexapro.  

If one doesn't work, there are others to try.

smaug

[LindaC1207]

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate all your responses, I am going to start taking it as my doctor suggested on September 8th, my first shot will be on Friday, September 26th.  Funny, my doctor first prescribed Lexapro for me but my insurance company wouldn't pay for it, that's what the pharmacy said, so she switched to celexa.  

From everything I've read above, it sounds like the right thing to do, I want all the help I can get when I start treatment.  Oh, and the anxiety I'm feeling now is due to going on this treatment, otherwise, I feel really good, I'm not depressed and have never had a problem with depression.  It's ironic that a lot of us who still feel okay, have to put ourselves through a year of hell in order to feel good for the rest of our lives.

Linda

[Marc1955]

Linda – Good luck! I wanted to respond to your last comment. It definitely speaks to me. When I started treatment, I was a total gym rat, in the best shape of my life and had no symptoms from the Hep C. I felt great.

You should know that there's a pretty good chance that the treatment is going to make you feel like ****. All that positive karma that comes from feeling good about yourself melts away. It's tough. To me, I've had to find a new baseline which is a big drop from where I was a year ago. I try to see the silver lining in all of this. If nothing else, the treatment will give you great sympathy for people who go through their lives with disabilities that limit their functioning.

You should definitely use this board for suggestions if you start suffering side-effects. There are potentially so many of them that they can be difficult to sort out alone.

All the best wishes in the world. Hope the treatment is easy to tolerate and successful.

[Rockerforlife]

My advice is...if it aint broke.dont fix it..simple

[LindaC1207]

That's just it though, it is broken, my liver isn't doing good at all, even though I feel good, that's why the call it the silent killer.  It's broke and does need to be fixed, that why I struggle so much with the irony of it all.

Linda

[jjhvc]

I've have good results with Effexor . Do not think i would have been able to handle tx with out it . Got really depressed first few weeks without it. Now I'm worried about weening myself off at the end . jj

[LindaC1207]

That was one of my major concerns too, will I have a hard time getting off of them after 48 weeks but if they help through treatment, I think it will be well worth it.  Hopefully my doctor will weane me off very gradually and it won't be too bad.

[Marcia2202]

I'm in my second week of treatment and much to my surprise, the least of all anticipated sides kicked in. Depression! I would have never thought that this one could get to me.

So my Hepatologist put me on citalopram starting yesterday. I slept like a rock and woke up this morning a bit tired, but felt fresh an hour later. Personally I will not take it in the daytime, as I can see that it makes me sleepy and drowsy about 1 -2 hours after taking it. So I take it about 2 hours before going to sleep.
According to my hepatologist, citalopram has been proven to be very effective with HCV treatment induced clinical depression. She put me on a low dose, 10mg.

I cannot tell you how it has worked, as I've only taken it once. According to the inlay it says that it will take at least 1 week to work.

Good luck to you!

Marcia

[Kristina538]

While not depressed (yet?) I certainly get anxious.  I started on half a citalopram yesterday - I was told to take it in the morning because it can cause insomnia.

It didn't have a good effect on me and I saw a doctor last night who said I belonged to a very small percentage that can experience sx's (dang it was shot night too so it was not a good day yesterday).  He suggested I don't take another one and see my GP to discuss an alternative.  He also said it was water soluable and would be out of my system within 24 hours (Headache, dry mouth, throat and too too tired - took it in the morning as was told!!!).  Strange, today has been good so maybe I was starting to feel the good effect, but, even with the sleepers, I only managed 2 hours sleep last night and another 2 today!!  Looking forward to some zzzz's tonight and really really hope that taking only a half a tab isn't going to have an after effect.    He seemed to think it wouldn't.

Thanks for the alternatives all ; I can discuss with my GP.   It would've been a lot easier going on them prior to tx!!!  I'm in my 8th week this week!

Best wishes LindaC - I've met two people on citalopram and it has really helped them both (neither on tx).  Will be thinking of you late Sept!!

[LindaC1207]

Hi Marcia,

Glad to hear that your not suffering with too many sides and hopefully, you'll go through all of your treatment this way.  I'm even more pleased to hear that the Celexa is helping you to feel a little better and to sleep, that is also one of my concerns as I have a pretty long work day with an hour commute to and from my place of employment and do need my sleep.  I will be taking Celexa at night too, I do not want to feel anymore tired during the day then I have to.  My doctor prescribed 10mgs, so we can commiserate together regarding our treatment..*lol*  Although you'll be a good 6 weeks ahead of me!  

My biggest wish, other then no sides and clearing the virus, is that this year goes by very quickly.  It's going to be hard for me next summer when I want to garden, I hope I will still feel up to it, also the sun, I love walking my dog on the beach or out in the sun and I know that's a big no too.  Oh well, it's only one summer out of my life, I guess I can bare that for this good cause.

Kristina538, sorry to hear that the antidepressants didn't work for you.  Maybe your doctor can prescribe something else that will work for you, it beats going through the treatment feeling down all the time.  Good luck!

Linda

[Marcia2202]

Thanks Linda.

I actually have not had any problems sleeping at all and I have been sleeping even better since starting tx. I think that all of these drugs just drug me up and hit me over the head and make me want to sleep. :-) I sleep almost through the whole night, even though I'm drinking tons of water. For years I have been waking up at least 3 times a night to go to the bathroom, and would go right back to sleep. Total routine.

I wish you all the best... with starting tx...

Marcia

[bandman54]

I am currently taking 30 mgs of celexa daily.

I have had no problems with depression...
It takes two weeks to start working, so I would definitely start asap.

I think everyone should take before starting tx...because it does take two weeks to kick in..

I am always reading about people having sides from celexa and being in a "fog" but I have not experienced anything like that at all.

It did make me a little sleepy at first, but that passed.

I also read about guys becoming impotent , but again that has not been the case.

give it a try.. I started on 20 , tried 40, and backed down to 30.

me feel good.... ahhhhh.

it also helped a great deal with anxiety!

bandman

[mommaglow]

When I started tx I was not the least bit depressed, I had a great life. I did, however, start celexa two weeks before I started tx. I am in my 4th month of tx and have never had any problems with any kind of depression or moodieness. Though I have no idea if it is becouse of the celexa or that I would have never had any problems anyway. But since I heard that so many people had problems I decided to take no chances since I have no small children. I do not know if that helps, but I have felt great in that sence since I started . God bless you in the start of your tx, and be ready for a rough ride. I got sunshine blown up my *** telling me I would have no problems since I am young and healthy- ha this stuff is the gateway to HELL- but just think it gives you the chance to live a longer healthier life.

[Marcia2202]

Just a little update. I take my 10mg citalopram at 10 pm go to sleep around 11-12 and I sleep through the night until I get woken by my alarm at 7am to take my Riba. Go right back to sleep for another 2 hours or so. So it would  make me drowsy, if I was awake.

I guess I will have to be patient to wait for it to help with the depression, been only on it for four days now.

I will let you know how many days it took me to kick in.

Marcia

[Marcia2202]

Now I am ready to comment.

After taking 10mg of citalopram for 6 evenings in a row, I can say that it has started to work. I have not cried for two days and I am not depressed looking at dishes anymore. I was actually able to happily cook some delicious lunch for my son and me today. So even my motivation has come back. I don't feel sorry for myself anymore and I am not grumpy nor snappy either.

The thing I was most afraid of taking AD's, was that I would somehow lose the connection to myself, be drowsy or something in that direction... In that regard, I actually feel just as I felt before I got the depression.

I think that in a few days I should be back up to 'normal', whatever that is when on tx.

Marcia

[moahunter]

I find it interesting that many U doctors prescribe anti-depresents before treatment, even to people who have never been depresed. I was told that these drugs were there, if I needed them. I don't fully understand why one wouldn't try treatment first, and then decide whether or not the side effects merit further drugs. I don't think it is ever good to take something if it turns out you don't need to, especially anti-depressents which can be addictive / hard to come off. In saying that, I did suffer moodiness and iratability througout treatment - the thing that seemed to help me the most, was the introduction of a sleeping pill towards the end. Maybe it would have been a better experience with more drugs? I fear it may have just resulted in more longer term issues though.

[Marcia2202]

That's exactly the approach I took. Never been depressed and am at the best and happiest time in my life. But it hit me one week into tx and took almost a week to get out of it. It was scary, I must say. And I would not wish that even on my worst enemy. Fortunately I caught on to it quite fast and my doc prescribed the same day I called her.

I've never had any problems sleeping. I sleep better since I'm on tx and now even better since I take the AD before bedtime.

I am not afraid of having to wean myself off them later. I'd rather go through tx with the AD's then with a depression for the duration of 6 months. It's a chemical imbalance in the body, which can only be balanced by chemicals. In my case at least. I cannot speak for others.

Marcia

[alagirl]

I think that can be a side with a lot of ad's.  My experience with ad's has been that different ad's work for different people since brain chemistry tends to be an extremely individual type of thing.  Try it, and if in a few weeks it really is not working for you, or if immediately you have horrible sides, just ask your physician to switch to something else.  God knows there are plenty of them out there.  I stay away from MAO's, because they clash with so many other medications that I end up needing to take.

[LindaC1207]

Thank you everyone for your kind responses!  I am not a depressed person at all, I have a very good attitude about life and try not to let anything get me too down, however, the treatment for HepC isn't your ordinary treatment by any stretch of the imagination and if the Celexa will help make my life a little easier, then I'm all for it.  I don't think I'll have that much trouble weaning myself off of them and I'll be in a much better place emotionally when it comes time to do so, plus all the other chemicals will be out of my system and hopefully I will be free of the HepC virus.

The countdown begins - 23 days to go until my first shot!  

[Marcia2202]

Have a good count down... and don't get overexcited now :-)  

I couldn't wait to get started and was so happy when I finally did. Even the first shot was a piece of cake! Mainly having been so well informed from everyone here and reading loads and loads took every millimeter of being anxious away from me.

So good luck to you and stay tuned!!!

Marcia

[LindaC1207]

Hopefully my first shot will be easy for me as well.  I've been doing a lot of reading too, it does help, although I sometimes find some of these posts pretty depressing but I try not to let them get me down, I know everyone is different.

I'm not looking forward to my first shot but I am looking forward to getting this behind me and the sooner I start the sooner it will be over.  I could have started back in late May, early June by getting on a Vertex clinical trial but I decided to wait.  I wouldn't have been guaranteed the new drug anyway and I didn't like the fact that they do not give out rescue drugs.  Although I would have been over three months into treatment if I had started then!  Oh well, time will go by quickly, I'm sure.

Hope all is still well!

Linda