What is Citalopram?
Citalopram is an antidepressant that belongs to a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Citalopram is a prescription medication for treating depression. Citalopram can also be utilised for treating major depression (MDD).
Warnings
Citalopram can trigger serious heart problems. Call your doctor immediately if you notice chest pain, quick or beating heartbeats, shortness of breath, or abrupt fainting.
It is not recommended to take citalopram when you are also taking pimozide because the combination may cause problems with the heart rate.
Do not take citalopram in the event that you've taken an MAO inhibitor within the last fourteen days (such as isocarboxazid and linezolid as well as phenelzin, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine) or received an injection of methylene blue. An adverse reaction could be fatal.
People suffering from mental illness or depression may be prone to thoughts of suicide. Young people might experience more suicidal thoughts after taking medication to treat depression. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice sudden changes in your mood or behavior.ou may also have thought about suicide.
If you notice any new or more severe symptoms, contact your physician for treatment, including changes in behavior or mood such as anxiety, panic attacks, or trouble sleeping. You should also tell your doctor about the feeling of being uncontrollably angry, irritable, or aggressive. active, restless (mentally and physically), or more depressed, or you are thinking about suicide or harming yourself.
Do not stop taking citalopram before consulting your physician.
Before you Take this Drug
It is not recommended to use citalopram if you have an allergy to either citalopram or Escitalopram (Lexapro) or if you also use pimozide.
Do not take citalopram for the first two weeks prior to or after having taken an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days. A potentially dangerous interaction between drugs could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene Blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.
To ensure that citalopram is suitable for you, ask your doctor if you've ever taken:
- Heart-related problems;
- Long QT Syndrome (in either you or a relative);
- Hypertension;
- A stroke;
- Bleeding issues;
- Sexual problems;
- Kidney disease or liver failure;
- Narrow-angle glaucoma;
- Seizures or epilepsy;
- Bipolar Disorder (manic depression) or
- An electrical imbalance (such as a low level of magnesium, potassium, and sodium, in your blood).
Consult your doctor if you are taking any stimulant medications such as opioids, herbal products, or medications for mental illness, depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, or serious infections, as well as the prevention of vomiting and nausea. An interaction with citalopram may result in a serious illness known as serotonin syndrome.
Patients suffering from mental illness or depression might contemplate suicide. Young people might experience more suicidal thoughts after taking medication to treat depression. Keep an eye on fluctuations in mood or signs. Your caregivers or family members are also required to be on the lookout for unexpected changes in your behavior.
The use of this medicine during pregnancy may harm your baby; however, stopping the medicine might not be secure for you. Don't start or stop citalopram before consulting your physician.
It is not recommended to feed your baby during the time you take
How to Take Citalopram?
Use citalopram as directed by your physician. Follow the directions on the prescription label and go through all the medication instructions or sheets. The doctor might modify your dosage.
Take measurements of liquid medicine using the measuring device supplied (not the kitchen spoon).
The symptoms you experience may not improve for up to four weeks.
Inform your physician if you are experiencing any changes in your sexual activity, like losing interest in sexual activity or having trouble with an orgasm, as well as (in males) issues with erections or Ejaculation. Certain sexual issues are treatable.
If you stop taking the drug suddenly, you could experience unpleasant side effects (such as anxiety, tingling, or electric shock sensations). Consult your physician before stopping the medication.
Keep at room temperature, free of heat and moisture.
Details on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Depression:
Initial dosage: 20 mg orally every day, once
Dosage for maintenance is 20–40 mg once orally every day.
Maximum dosage daily: 40 mg oral per day
Comments:
The initial dose can be increased to 40 mg once per day after at least one week of treatment.
Doses of 60 mg/day did not provide any advantages in terms of efficacy over doses of 40 mg/day.
Acute depression episodes may take a few months or more of treatment with a pharmacologic agent.
Treatment for depression: Use
Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression:
Ages over 60:
Recommended dosage 20 mg taken orally, once per day
Comments:
Doses of 60 mg/day did not show any advantage in effectiveness over doses of 40 mg/day.
Depression that is acute can require a few months or longer of continuous medication.
Treatment for depression through use
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
You should take the medication as quickly as you can. However, avoid your missed dose if it's close to the time of the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.
What Happens If I Overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What Should be Avoided?
Consult your physician before taking a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) like naproxen, aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and many others. Utilizing an NSAID combined with citalopram can cause bleeding or bruises easily. Beware of drinking alcohol.
Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects of citalopram on you. Your reaction could be affected.
Side Effects of Citalopram
Seek medical attention immediately. If you're experiencing symptoms warning signs of a reaction allergic to citalopram such as Hives, blisters, rash, or joint pain; trouble breathing; and swelling of your lips, face, and tongue,
Contact your physician immediately in the event of any abrupt or new changes in your mood or behavior, such as the onset of depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel uncontrollably angry, frustrated, or aggressive. inactive, talkative, or having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself.
Contact your doctor immediately. If you suffer from:
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you've passed out;
- blurred vision blurred vision, eye pain, or redness eye pain or redness; seeing halos around lights
- Rapid or pounding heartbeats, discomfort or fluttering within your chest, a shortness of breath, and a sudden dizziness (like you're going to faint)
- A seizure
- Mad episodes, racing thoughts, more energy, a decreased need to sleep, taking risks, or being angry or agitated
- Serious nervous system response Very strenuous (rigid) muscles with high fever, sweating, as well as confusion, quick or irregular heartbeats, tremors, or
- Lower blood sodium Low blood sodium headache, confusion, issues with memory or thinking fatigue, and feeling unsteady.
Get medical attention immediately. If you are experiencing signs associated with serotonin syndrome, which include hallucinations, agitation, sweating, fever, chills, shivering, rapid heart rate, muscle stiffness, or twitching, You may also experience loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Common side effects of citalopram include:
- Sexual issues;
- Dizziness, drowsiness;
- Dry mouth, thirst, excessive sweating, or urination
- Loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation
- Being anxious, angry, feeling anxious, agitated, or shakey;
- Being tired or weak;
- Sleep problems (insomnia)
- Yawning;
- Muscles are moving more easily.
- Nasal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding bleeding from the menstrual cycle
- Signs of a cold, like congestion, sneezing, and a sore throat.
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Other effects may also be present. Contact your physician for advice regarding medical effects. You may report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
Citalopram could cause a serious heart condition. Your risk may be increased if you take other medications for illnesses such as asthma, heart conditions, high blood pressure, mental illness, depression, cancer, malaria, or HIV.
Discuss with your doctor all the medications you take. Other medications can also alter the effects of citalopram. These include:
- Cimetidine;
- The blood thinners (warfarin, Coumadin, and Jantoven)
- Diuretic or "water pill"
- Lithium;
- John's wort;
- Tramadol; or
- Tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan)
This list isn't complete, and other drugs could influence citalopram. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. The interactions of all drugs are included here.
