This blog post will answer the question, “Does celexa cause nausea?”. Celexa is an antidepressant which is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. However, this antidepressant causes disturbing side effects which sometimes lead to the discontinuation of treatment.

This blog will cover all there is to know about celexa induced nausea. We will also discuss some tips to stop feeling nauseous all the time.

Does celexa cause nausea?

Yes, celexa is associated with nausea with or without vomiting. This side effect is most commonly reported along with an upset stomach and loss of appetite. Celexa induced nausea usually begins to subside within 2 to 3 weeks of treatment.

However, this time duration can vary from person to person. Some people only feel nauseous when their dose is escalated, that too for a day or two.

However, some people suffer from gut-wrenching nausea that makes them throw up and completely ruins the appetite. Nausea can also be associated with celexa induced diarrhoea, which is another side effect of this antidepressant.

How to get rid of celexa induced nausea?

There are a few things you can do if you feel nauseous because of your antidepressant. These include:

Talk to your healthcare provider

The first and the most important step is to talk to your doctor. It’s best to inform him or her about the severity of nausea or other side effects that you’re going through, especially if your dose has been escalated recently.

Your doctor may prescribe some anti-emetic to control your nausea if it’s severe. However, it is believed that nausea doesn’t last long and it starts to fade away once your body adjusts to the new increased dose or to the medication itself if you’re a new celexa user.

Make sure you don’t stop taking this antidepressant without your doctor’s approval. Abrupt withdrawal can lead to disturbing symptoms of withdrawal syndrome.

If your antidepressant doesn’t suit you or needs to be changed, your doctor will taper it down in order to ensure safe withdrawal.

Take your celexa at bedtime

If you suffer from celexa induced nausea, it’s recommended to take your medication at bedtime. Falling asleep can help you avoid this side effect. Taking your antidepressant at bedtime also helps with other side effects including loss of appetite, drowsiness, dizziness and fatigue.

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications

Over-the-counter nausea controlling medications can be used to control your severe nausea. However, it is still recommended to ask your doctor first in order to rule out any possible drug interactions.

OTC meds for nausea include Pepto-Bismol and bismuth subsalicylate containing meds. These meds protect the lining of your stomach and can help relieve your nausea.

If OTC meds don’t work for you or are too light for your strong nausea, your doctor may prescribe a medication that is safe to take with celexa. These include:

Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
Meclizine (Antivert)
Ondansetron (Zofran)
Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Make sure you avoid taking these prescription meds without your doctor’s approval.

Do not lie down after eating

Lying down just after eating can not only mess up the entire process of digestion, but significantly increase the amount of gastric juices in your stomach that can trigger nausea. This can be quite disturbing if you also suffer from celexa induced gastric reflux.

The increased quantity of acid can severely damage the protective mucosa of your stomach, oesophagus and throat. Make sure you sit straight after eating your meals.

However, studies suggest that going for a short walk after dinner can help your body to produce more digestive enzymes and make your stomach absorb the nutrients from your food.

It improves your digestion and reduces bloating, acid reflux, constipation and provides relaxation from nausea and several other gastrointestinal problems.

Do not add too much spice and seasonings to your food

Yes, I know it’s extremely hard to eat bland food for a person who loves spices, but this is the time when you should avoid spices as much as you can. Spicy food can further damage your already disturbed stomach and can severely affect your health.

It also increases the amount of gastric acids which can significantly damage your entire upper gastrointestinal tract if you end up vomiting. It’s best to keep your stomach as light as possible. Too much spices can trigger nausea.

Avoid excessive coffee, alcohol and carbonated beverages

Make sure you avoid the use of excess caffeine. Coffee can stimulate gastric muscle contraction that can increase the intensity of your nausea and can induce vomiting by strong anti-peristaltic movements.

Coffee should also be avoided if your nausea is associated with diarrhoea. Caffeine can increase intestinal movements and make your diarrhoea much worse. It can also exacerbate the symptoms of acid reflux.

Alcohol can also exacerbate your nausea, acid reflux and heartburn. It’s best to avoid drinking too much alcohol, as it affects you negatively in more ways than you can imagine.

Studies have observed that regular consumption of carbonated or fizzy beverages, including soft drinks, club soda, and seltzer, could be linked to a higher risk of nausea. One study found that carbonated soft drinks can worsen certain acid reflux symptoms, like heartburn, fullness, and burping.

This is because carbonated beverages make your burp more, that can increase the amount of acid escaping your stomach and irritating your oesophagus, throat and mouth.

Make sure you are well hydrated

Keep drinking water from time to time. However, it is not recommended to chug an entire bottle as that may trigger nausea. Studies suggest that when you fill up your stomach rapidly, it can trigger nausea and if nausea is already present, it will trigger vomiting.

Make sure you drink small, more frequent sips of water and stop for a while when you think your stomach is too full. If drinking plain water is too bland for you, you can add a few slices of lemon and ginger in your water.

They will not only add a refreshing taste, but lemon and ginger can help tone down your nausea.

Try to distract yourself

It’s best to engage in different activities if you constantly feel nauseous. Studies suggest that nausea can significantly enhance if you keep thinking about it or keep you focused on it. So, it’s best to distract yourself and engage your mind in some other activity that you like.

Drink chamomile tea

Chamomile tea can also be used to reduce the intensity of your nausea. It not only helps relax the smooth muscles present along the gastrointestinal tract, but can also make you sleep better and calm your mind down.

You can either use chamomile tea bags which are widely available, or use fresh chamomile. Researchers suggest that chamomile can also reduce the anxiety or irritability that comes with constant nausea.

Use peppermint and lemon

Peppermint and lemon possess soothing properties and can help ease your nausea. Several studies suggest that peppermint can not only help make your digestion better, but can also be used as an effective remedy for nausea.

Lemon, on the other hand, is also proven to be beneficial when it comes to getting rid of nausea. Several researchers have indicated that citric acid present in lemon can not only aid in digestion, but can also soothe the stomach.

You can use fresh peppermint leaves and lemon, as fresh is always the best option. However, you can also take tea bags which can be easily available in a grocery store.

Add ginger to your meals

Ginger is also another good option to help relieve your nausea. You can add this refreshing root either in your water or your meals. You can also make ginger tea and add a teaspoon of honey just to add some sweetness.

It will help you relax, reduce the intensity of your nausea and can detoxify your body. Several studies have indicated the beneficial effects of ginger on nausea. It is also used by pregnant women to help relieve pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting.

Do not overfill your stomach

It is not recommended to eat heavy or bulky food and fill up your stomach. It’s best to eat less and consume liquid calories. A filled stomach is more likely to trigger nausea and vomiting. It is also not recommended to add a lot of oil in your food.

Get some air

Go out and get some air or sit in an open place where you will not feel suffocated. Studies suggest that sitting in a suffocated environment can trigger nausea.

Not just this, nausea itself makes you feel like you can’t breathe and it can make you sweat profusely. This is exactly why experts suggest that you should breathe some fresh air and sit in an open environment if you feel nausea.

Do not refrain from vomiting

The worst thing you can do to yourself is stop from throwing up. Experts have indicated that about one-third of people try to suppress their urge to vomit just because of how bad of an experience it is.

However, this can create further complications and you may accidentally choke on it. Not just that, the vomit can enter your windpipe and may go into your lungs. This results in aspiration which can cause serious consequences.

Make sure you follow the above mentioned tips carefully. It is always recommended to report your side effects to your healthcare provider in order to determine the safety and efficacy of celexa in long-term treatment of depression.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have discussed celexa induced nausea. This antidepressant is associated with nausea with or without vomiting. This side effect is most commonly reported along with an upset stomach and loss of appetite.

Celexa induced nausea usually begins to subside within 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. However, this time duration can vary from person to person. Some people only feel nauseous when their dose is escalated, that too for a day or two.

However, some people suffer from gut-wrenching nausea that makes them throw up and completely ruins the appetite. We have also discussed some ways to get rid of it. Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider if your nausea persists.

FAQs: celexa nausea

Does Celexa nausea go away?

Yes, celexa induced nausea begins to subside within 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. However, this time duration can vary from person to person. Some people only feel nauseous when their dose is escalated, that too for a day or two. However, some people suffer from gut-wrenching nausea that makes them throw up and completely ruins the appetite.

How do I get rid of nausea from citalopram?

Take your celexa at bedtime
Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications
Do not lie down after eating
Do not add too much spice and seasonings to your food
Avoid excessive coffee, alcohol and carbonated beverages
Make sure you are well hydrated
Try to distract yourself
Drink chamomile tea
Use peppermint and lemon
Add ginger to your meals
Do not overfill your stomach
Get some air
Do not refrain from vomiting

Is nausea common with citalopram?

Yes, nausea is most commonly reported along with an upset stomach and loss of appetite. Celexa induced nausea usually begins to subside within 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. However, this time duration can vary from person to person. Some people only feel nauseous when their dose is escalated, that too for a day or two.

How long does nausea from antidepressants last?

Antidepressant induced nausea lasts around 2 to 3 weeks of your treatment. However, this time duration can vary from person to person and also depends on the antidepressant that you’re taking.

Is it better to take Celexa in the morning or at night?

It depends on the types of side effects you’re going through. If it causes loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness and fatigue, it’s best to take it at night. However, if it causes insomnia, loss of libido and urinary problems, it’s best to take your celexa in the morning.

Do side effects of citalopram go away?

Yes, side effects of citalopram begin to subside within 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. However, this time duration can vary from person to person. The side effects last as long as your body takes to adjust to the antidepressant.

References

James M. Ferguson, M.D. – SSRI Antidepressant Medications: Adverse Effects and Tolerability https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181155/
Celexa – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8603/celexa-oral/details
Citalopram (Oral Route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/citalopram-oral-route/description/drg-20062980
Feeling sick (nausea) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/feeling-sick-nausea/

Does celexa cause nausea?