Citalopram

Generic name: Citalopram
Brand names: CeleXA
Drug class: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Usage of Citalopram

Citalopram is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat depression.

Citalopram is also used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).

Citalopram belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.

Citalopram side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to citalopram: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Citalopram may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights;

fast or pounding heartbeats, pain or fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);

a seizure;

unusual bleeding - nosebleeds, bleeding gums, abnormal vaginal bleeding, any bleeding that will not stop;

manic episodes - racing thoughts, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, risk-taking behavior, being agitated or talkative;

severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors; or

low blood sodium - headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Citalopram can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

Common citalopram side effects may include:

sexual problems;

dizziness, drowsiness;

dry mouth, thirst, increased sweating or urination;

loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, constipation;

feeling anxious, agitated, or shaky;

feeling weak or tired, sleep problems (insomnia), yawning;

increased muscle movement;

nosebleed, heavy menstrual bleeding; or

cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Citalopram

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to citalopram or escitalopram (Lexapro), or if you also take pimozide.

Do not use citalopram if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you take citalopram.

Tell your doctor if you also use stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with citalopram could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

To make sure citalopram is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart problems, high blood pressure, long QT syndrome;

a stroke;

bleeding problems;

sexual problems;

narrow-angle glaucoma;

seizures or epilepsy;

bipolar disorder (manic depression) in you or a family member;

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium, magnesium, or sodium in your blood); or

liver or kidney disease.

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

Taking this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop citalopram without asking your doctor.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of citalopram on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Relate drugs

How to use Citalopram

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Initial dose: 20 mg orally once a day Maintenance dose: 20 to 40 mg orally once a day Maximum dose: 40 mg orally per day Comments: -The initial dose may be increased if necessary to 40 mg once a day after at least 1 week of therapy. -Doses of 60 mg/day did not demonstrate an advantage in efficacy over 40 mg/day doses. -Acute episodes of depression may require several months or more of sustained pharmacologic therapy Use: Treatment of depression

Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression:

Over 60 years of age: Recommended dose: 20 mg orally once a day Comments: -Doses of 60 mg/day did not demonstrate an advantage in efficacy over 40 mg/day doses. -Acute episodes of depression may require several months or more of sustained pharmacologic therapy. Use: Treatment of depression

Warnings

Do not stop taking citalopram without your doctor's advice.

Citalopram can cause a serious heart problem. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness.

You should not use citalopram if you also take pimozide, as the combination can cause problems with your heart rhythm.

Do not use citalopram if you have used a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days (such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine) or have received a methylene blue injection. A fatal reaction may occur.

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Do not stop using citalopram without first asking your doctor.

What other drugs will affect Citalopram

Citalopram can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with citalopram, especially:

cimetidine;

a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);

a diuretic or "water pill"; or

gatifloxacin or moxifloxacin.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect citalopram. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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