Citalopram
About Citalopram
Citalopram is an antidepressant and belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat depression by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance called serotonin in the brain. It may improve your energy level and feelings of well-being.
Some side effects like nausea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, tiredness, drowsiness, blurred vision, sweating, and yawning may occur. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including tremor, changes in sexual ability, decreased interest in sex, fast and irregular heartbeat, easy bruising or bleeding, fainting, black stools, seizures, widened pupils or vision changes.
Do not start or stop taking Citalopram during pregnancy without consulting a doctor. Breast-feed while you are using this medicine can be harmful for the baby. It is not approved for use by anyone who is under 18 years of age or younger. Some medicines like socarboxazid, tranylcypromine, linezolid, rasagiline, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, selegiline, and others can inhibit the proper functioning of Citalopram It is not safe for you to use this medicine if you have the following conditions :
- bleeding or blood clotting disorder
- liver or kidney disease
- narrow-angle glaucoma
- seizures or epilepsy
- heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats, heart failure, or recent history of heart attack
- personal or family history of Long QT syndrome
- an electrolyte imbalance
- bipolar disorder
- a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
The usual Initial dose of Citalopram is 20 mg orally, once a day. Gradually the dose can increase in the following days but the maximum limit should be restricted to 60mg per day. Acute episodes of depression may require several months of sustained therapy. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose depending on your response to the medicine. Do not use this medication in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than prescribed.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.
What are the uses of Citalopram
Depression
Citalopram is used in the treatment of depression which is a serious mood disorder characterized by feeling sad, irritable and devoid of energy.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.
What are the contraindications of Citalopram ?
Not recommended in the patients allergic to Citalopram or other antidepressants.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.
What are the side effects of Citalopram ?
Agitation
Blurred Vision
Increased Sweating
Unusual Tiredness And Weakness
Decreased Interest In Sexual Intercourse
Body Pain
Headache
Running Nose
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.
Key highlights of Citalopram
How long is the duration of effect?
The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 2 to 3 days.
What is the onset of action?
The peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 1 to 6 hours. The antidepressant effect can be seen in 1 to 4 weeks.
Are there any pregnancy warnings?
This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. The risk of feeding difficulties, irritability, and respiratory problems is more in the third trimester. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency has been reported.
Are there any breast-feeding warnings?
This medicine is known to excreted in breastmilk. It is not recommended in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Close monitoring of behavioral changes like drowsiness or fussiness and body weight is necessary.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.
What are the dosage instructions?
Missed Dose instructions
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Are there any overdose instructions?
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor if any symptoms of the overdose like dizziness, loss of consciousness appear.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.
Where is the Citalopram approved?
India
United States
Japan
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.
Medicines containing Citalopram
Below is the list of medicines, which contains Citalopram as ingredient
- Olarc 10 MG Tablet
Sigmund Promedica
- Citalent 20 MG Tablet
Talent Healthcare
- C-Pram 20 MG Tablet
Unichem Laboratories Ltd
- Palocit 20 MG Injection
Triton Health Care Pvt Ltd
- Zetalo 10 MG Tablet
Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd
- Palocit 10 MG Tablet
Triton Health Care Pvt Ltd
- Cita 20 MG Tablet
Crescent Formulations Pvt. Ltd
- Celepra 20 MG Tablet
Micro Labs Ltd
- Topdep 10 MG Tablet
Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Citapad 20 MG Tablet
Tripada Healthcare Pvt Ltd
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.
How does this medication work?
This medicine belongs to the class selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin thus increasing its concentration in the brain and helps in reducing the symptoms.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.
What are the interactions of Citalopram ?
Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.
- test
Interaction with Alcohol
Alcohol
Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it can result in dizziness and difficulty in concentration. Avoid activities that need mental alertness like driving or operating machinery.Interaction with Lab Test
Lab
Information not available.Interaction with Medicine
Clarithromycin
These medicines are recommended together due to increase in the risk of irregular heart rhythm. Inform the doctor if you are receiving any antibiotics. Close monitoring of symptoms like breathlessness, dizziness and heart palpitations is necessary. An alternate medicine should be considered based on clinical condition.Ketoconazole
These medicines are recommended together due to increase in the risk of irregular heart rhythm. Inform the doctor if you are receiving any antibiotics. Close monitoring of symptoms like breathlessness, dizziness and heart palpitations is necessary. An alternate medicine should be considered based on clinical condition.sulfonylureas
Citalopram may increase the effect of antidiabetic medicines like glimepiride, glipizide and may cause hypoglycemia. Close monitoring of symptoms like dizziness, headache, weakness is necessary. An alternate class of medicines or dose adjustments should be made based on the clinical condition.Diuretics
Citalopram may increase the risk of blood sodium levels if coadministered with diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide. Inform the doctor if you may have symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness after taking these medicines. Consider regular monitoring of blood pressure and sodium level.Interaction with Disease
Depression
Use with caution in adults and pediatrics with depression as it may worsen the symptoms of depression. Close monitoring of these symptoms like changes in the behavior and suicidal thoughts is necessary. Discontinue the medicine if symptoms persist.This medicine may increase the seizures. It should be used with caution in the patients with the history of epilepsy and not recommended in the patients with unstable epilepsy.Interaction with Food
Food
Information not available.
References
Citalopram-Drug Information Portal [Internet].druginfo.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 3 June 2022].Available from:
https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/citalopram
Citalopram-DrugBank Online [Internet].go.drugbank.com 2022 [Cited 3 June 2022].Available from:
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00215
CITALOPRAM Tablet,solution-DailyMed [Internet].dailymed.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 3 June 2022].Available from:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=CITALOPRAM
Lybrate is a medium to provide our audience with the common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. Even if there is no mention of a warning for any drug or combination, it never means that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without any proper consultation with an expert.
Lybrate does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubts about your medication, we strongly recommend you to see a doctor immediately.
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