What should you know about Celexa and insomnia?

Celexa contains citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used for depression and some anxiety conditions. Changes in sleep can occur when treatment begins or the dose changes. Some people feel more alert or restless, while others feel sleepy. The condition being treated, stress, jet lag, caffeine and irregular routines can also contribute to insomnia.

Do not stop Celexa suddenly. Abrupt changes can cause withdrawal symptoms and may destabilise the condition being treated. A prescriber can consider timing, dose, interactions and another explanation for poor sleep. Keep a brief sleep record that includes bedtime, awakenings, naps, caffeine and daytime sleepiness.

Take Celexa exactly as prescribed and ask the prescriber whether the timing should change; do not alter it independently. Keep a regular waking time, reduce late caffeine and alcohol, dim bright screens before bed, and reserve the bed for sleep where possible. Arrange a review if difficulty sleeping continues, affects concentration or leaves you exhausted during the day.

Get urgent help for thoughts of self-harm, severe agitation, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, chest symptoms or a possible serious allergic reaction. Contact the prescriber quickly for extreme restlessness, unusually little need for sleep, racing thoughts or unusually elevated mood, particularly after a dose change.

Ask whether Celexa timing, dose or another medicine could be affecting sleep, how long adjustment may take, and what safe options exist if insomnia continues.