I have now been on Citalopram for just one week and it's doing wonders for my Depression however my sleeping pattern has been badly affected. I go to bed most nights about 11 and dont usually get to sleep until about 4am. Im wondering if anyone else has this problem. I wonder if I cant take anything to help me sleep that doesnt conflict with the Citalopram. Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi trudyb
Unfortunately, insomnia is a known side effect of Citalopram. In fact, this was the main reason I came off the drug.
Initially, my GP prescribed Zopiclone 3.75mg sleeping tablets for me which you can take with Citalopram (assuming your GP agrees) and these did work. The difficulty was that I could not sleep without them and I didn't want to get into a cycle of taking sleeping pills as Zopiclone tablets are addictive.
As Citalopram is helping your depression, you may want to ask your GP if Zopiclone could help you and perhaps regularise your sleeping pattern? My honest advice would be to take care with these tablets and have a full and frank discussion with your GP about what they do and how you use them. Alternatively, there are different non prescription drugs like Kalms and Nytol that you might try but do speak to a pharmacist or your GP and tell him that you are taking Citalopram before you do so.
Finally, there are other Antidepressants such as Mirtazapine which because of their antihistamine content have a sedative effect. So if sleeping is a problem for you, again you could ask your doctor about perhaps changing your medication - taking into account, of course, that Citalopram is helping with your depression.
Good luck and best regards.
hi,
I have been on Citalopram for 3 weeks now fro mild depression...you know when things in your life get too much. althought i feel now the effect of the tablet on my depression, i have to say i'm struggling immensely to sleep...usually between 2 am and 4 pm..As i'm working, it is not good...
i'm hopeing this side effect will eventually wear off as, i alos am reluctant to get into the cycle of sleeping tablets+anti-depressant...
Just to raessure some people, i also initially experienced, nausea and total loss of appetite, along with increase in anxiety. but it all diseaperaed in about 1 week or so, so dont worry!
any boday experienced insominia side effects geeting beeter in the end, or will i have to change prescription? 'd rather not...
To all, take care.x 
I've had terrible insomnia too and have had to take zopiclone due to having night panics. I've been on Citalopram 3 weeks and last night though I woke up alot I felt more or less calm so went without sleeping pills.
I was on Citalopram about 5 years ago and the insomnia does go after a few weeks and all the other side effects these pills can cause. Infact I felt really normal again after a little while :D