Citalopram and really vivid dreams ??

Question

I've been on citalopram 10mg for nearly a week now and have been having REALLY vivid dreams since starting the meds.... at times i confuse dreams with reality (e.g- i dreamt a shop in my town had been shut down and when i walked past it and found it hadn't been, i was really genuinly shocked!)

The dreams are never scary, generally just about everyday stuff.... sometimes i find it quite enjoyable as i remember the dreams from the night before through out the day!

I know dreams can be affected by citalopram but has anyone had as vivid dreams as this where they confuse dreams with reality, or will they wear off as my brain gets used to the meds?

Answer 1

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Hi--that is a common risk with anti-depressants and all. Citalopram belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines are thought to work by increasing the activity of the chemical serotonin in the brain .This product is available in the following dosage forms:Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: You may have to take citalopram for 4 weeks before you begin to feel better. Your doctor will check your progress at regular visits during this time. Also, you may need to keep taking citalopram for 6 months or longer to help prevent the return of the depression .

***Do not stop taking this medication without checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely to prevent side effects .***

Make sure your doctor knows about all the other medicines you are using. Citalopram may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome when taken with some medicines. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while you are taking citalopram .This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, to have trouble thinking, or to have problems with movement. Make sure you know how you react to citalopram before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert or well-coordinated .Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Answer 2

My step son was just telling me about this weird dream he had and he is taking Citalopram 20mg. Best of luck to you.

Source(s):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/citalopram

Answer 3

i have had several patients tell me the same thing. any time you start a med that changes the chemical amounts/makeup in the brain, there is an opportunity to experience changes. nobody really knows exactly how the chemicals in the brain work since the synapses they work on are too small to be observed as well as the fact that to do so would be extremely invasive on a very sensitive and complex organ. brain science (chemical interaction in mental illness) is a relatively new field that has only come into practice in the late 60's and early 70's. compare that to hundreds of years of medical scince and you can see where they might not know much in regards to brain functioning. there is really no way to know what changes a medication will bring when acting on the brain. all but one of my patients has said that the symptoms either die off or are greatly reduced with time. only one has had to change her medication but even she didn't have terror type dreams but more of a lucidity problem like yours. if it gets to be a problem for you, discuss it with your doctor. there are several meds that can be substituted and new ones being developed everyday.

Answer 4

well my husband was taking citalopram he had the same thing .but win you cant separate the dreams from reality or it becomes a problem you may need to change meds this drug was not good for my husband he became coufused an began falling.it also is a long act ting pill one pill stays in your body for 36 hours .their is a short ac king on from the same family.work real well with out the side effects .good luck