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How Effective Is Citalopram for Anxiety?

Emily Daw
Emily Daw

Citalopram is an antidepressant in the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) class that is prescribed for some anxiety disorders. Its is usually one of the first medicines a doctor will prescribe to try to treat these conditions. Using citalopram for anxiety often helps patients who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but has not been shown to reduce repetitive anxiety-related behaviors in autistic children. Like any mental health treatment, using citalopram for anxiety works best when used in conjunction with therapy and positive lifestyle choices.

Like other SSRIS drugs, citalopram works by increasing the brain's level of serotonin, which is a neuro-chemical related to happiness and sense of well-being. The increased sense of well-being produced by citalopram often reduces the symptoms of GAD or OCD by lowering the patient's heart rate and reducing fight-or-flight responses. It may also inhibit the buildup of anxiety that leads up to an acute panic attack in patients with panic disorder, but is less effective at this than certain as-needed anxiety medications, such as alprazolam. On the other hand, although the repetitive behaviors of autistic children often resemble the obsessive-compulsive behavior, citalopram has not been shown effective at reducing these behaviors when compared to placebos.

Citalopram is sometimes used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Citalopram is sometimes used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Patients taking citalopram for anxiety may not see results for several days, and the medication may not have full effect for one to two months, but it is still often a good first choice of treatment. SSRI medications generally have fewer side effects and drug interactions than other classes of antidepressants, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or tricyclic antidepressants. Further, since the United States patent on citalopram is expired, it is often available in a low-cost generic. People's actual responses to mental health medications tend to vary widely, however, so if citalopram fails to control the symptoms of anxiety, another drug may likely work better.

Citalopram works by increasing the brain's level of serotonin.
Citalopram works by increasing the brain's level of serotonin.

For best results while taking citalopram for anxiety, patients should also try to care for their mental health in other ways. A combination of medication and therapy is often the best treatment regiment. Therapy may help the patient to develop coping strategies or to resolve underlying psychological problems, which medication alone cannot do. Good eating habits and regular exercise often improve the quality of life for those suffering from anxiety disorders.

Discussion Comments

ysmina

I used citalopram in the past as well. It worked for me. My anxiety did reduce greatly and I could actually function normally. I switched to another medication though because I started experiencing side effects like fatigue. I switched to the new version of citalopram called escitalopram which worked better for me. It's just as effective as citalopram but caused less side effects.

turquoise

@bear78-- My doctor told me that it generally takes about six months for SSRIs to show their full effects. Although this group of medication starts working right away, it does take time for the effects to build up and actually reduce anxiety and depression. Definitely ask your doctor if it's true for citalopram but you may want to wait for a little bit longer before deciding that it does not work.

It's also true that everyone reacts to medications a little differently. So it's possible for citalopram to work very well for someone and not so well for another person. So keep your doctor updated on how you're doing. If after a few more months you still feel that the drug doesn't work, then your doctor can switch you to something else.

bear78

I've been taking citalopram for anxiety for one month now. I'm not seeing any difference in my anxiety levels. I don't think this medication works.

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    • Citalopram is sometimes used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
      By: Phase4Photography
      Citalopram is sometimes used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
    • Citalopram works by increasing the brain's level of serotonin.
      By: snyggg.de
      Citalopram works by increasing the brain's level of serotonin.
    • Citalopram is also marketed and sold under the brand name Celexa.
      By: themalni
      Citalopram is also marketed and sold under the brand name Celexa.
    • People react in various ways to antidepressants, and doctors may prescribe several before the right one is found for a particular patient.
      By: emiliau
      People react in various ways to antidepressants, and doctors may prescribe several before the right one is found for a particular patient.
    • Citalopram belongs to the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants.
      By: Wynter
      Citalopram belongs to the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants.
    • The effectiveness of citalopram or any other antidepressant can vary widely from patient to patient.
      By: ivolodina
      The effectiveness of citalopram or any other antidepressant can vary widely from patient to patient.