What is Citalopram?
Citalopram, also known as Celexa, is an antidepressant that belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class. Severe depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia are all handled with it. It may take one to four weeks for the antidepressant effects to appear.
Citalopram Uses
Citalopram is an antidepressant drug. It will raise your energy levels and make you feel better. Citalopram is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is selective (SSRI). This medicine works by restoring the balance of a natural drug in the brain called serotonin.
How to use Citalopram HBR
Before you start taking citalopram, read the Prescription Guide and, if appropriate, the Patient Information Leaflet given by your pharmacist, as well as each time you get a refill. Inquire with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any doubts.
Take this drug as prescribed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning or evening, with or without food. The dose is determined by your medical condition, treatment reaction, age, laboratory tests, and any other drugs you're taking. Create a list of all the medications you use and send it to your doctor and pharmacist (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). The recommended daily dose of citalopram is 40 milligrams.
Use a special measuring device/spoon to carefully measure the dose if you're taking this drug in liquid form. You might not get the right dose if you use a standard spoon.
To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor can advise you to start with a low dose and gradually increase it. Ignore the doctor's directions to the letter. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often or for a longer period of time than prescribed. Your situation won't improve any time soon, and you'll be more susceptible to side effects. Take this medicine on a regular basis to get the best out of it. To help you remember, take it at the same time every day.
Even if you feel good, keep taking this drug. Do not stop taking this medicine without first consulting your doctor. When this medication is unexpectedly stopped, some conditions can worsen. Mood swings, headaches, tiredness, sleep shifts, and brief electric shock-like sensations are all potential symptoms. Your doctor may gradually reduce your dose to prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this medication. For more details, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Any new or changing symptoms should be reported right away.
It can take 1 to 4 weeks to see a difference from this treatment, and it may take several weeks to get the full benefit.
Citalopram Side Effects
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Anxiousness
- Trouble sleeping
- Sexual problems
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Hunger
- Hunger
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Respiratory infections
- Yawning
- Increased thirst
- An abnormal increase in muscle movement
- Agitation
- Nosebleeds
- More frequent urination
- Heavy menstrual periods
- Slowed growth rates
- Weight changes
- Attempts to commit suicide
- Acting on dangerous impulses
- Acting aggressively or violently
- Thoughts about suicide or dying
- Depression
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Restlessness
- Anger
- Chest pain
- Fast or slow heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Hallucinations
- Coma
- Confusion
- Difficulty thinking
- Coordination problems or muscle twitching
- High or low blood pressure
- Sweating or fever
- Muscle rigidity
- Increased energy
- Trouble sleeping
- Reckless behavior
- excessive happiness or irritability
- Convulsions
- Sudden loss of awareness of surroundings
- Sudden loss of urine or bowel control
- Eye pain
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Swelling or redness in or around your eyes
- Low salt (sodium) levels in the blood.
Precautions
If you are allergic to it, or to escitalopram, or if you have some other allergies, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking citalopram. Inactive ingredients can be found in this substance, causing allergic reactions or other problems. For more details, consult with your pharmacist.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medical history you have, particularly if you have a personal or family history of bipolar/manic-depressive disorder, a personal or family history of suicide attempts, liver disease, seizures, low sodium in the blood, intestinal ulcers/bleeding (peptic ulcer disease) or bleeding issues, and a personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type).
Citalopram can lead to a heart rhythm disorder (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat as well as other symptoms (such as extreme dizziness, fainting) that require urgent medical attention.
If you have any medical conditions or are taking other medications that may induce QT prolongation, the risk of QT prolongation may be increased. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any of your medications and whether you have any of the following conditions before taking citalopram: some heart issues, family history of certain heart problems.
QT prolongation can also be caused by low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood. If you use certain medications (such as diuretics/water pills) or have conditions like excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting, the risk can increase. Consult your physician
This medication can cause drowsiness or blurred vision. You can become drowsy if you ingest alcohol or marijuana (cannabis). Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform any other operation that involves alertness or clear vision until you are confident you can do so safely. Alcoholic drinks should be avoided. If you use marijuana, talk to your doctor (cannabis).
The drug's side effects, especially bleeding, loss of coordination, and QT prolongation may be more serious in older adults (see above). They're also more likely to develop hyponatremia (salt deficiency), particularly if they're also taking water pills (diuretics). Falls may be compounded by a lack of control.
Children may be more vulnerable to the drug's side effects, especially appetite loss and weight loss. In children who are taking this medicine, keep track of their weight and height.
This drug should only be taken during pregnancy if absolutely necessary. It has the ability to injure an unborn child. In addition, babies born to mothers who used this medication during the last three months of pregnancy may experience withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing issues, seizures, muscle weakness, or excessive crying. Notify your doctor right away if you find any of these signs in your newborn.
Since untreated mental/mood disorders (such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder) can be harmful, it's essential to seek treatment.
Do not quit taking this drug until the doctor orders you to. Untreated mental/mood disorders (such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder) can be harmful. If you're considering a baby, are pregnant, or believe you may be, speak to your doctor right away about the advantages and risks of taking this drug during pregnancy.
This medicine will pass into breast milk and have unfavorable effects on a nursing baby. Before you start breastfeeding, talk to your doctor.
Overdose
Call a poison control center right away if someone has overdosed and is experiencing severe symptoms such as passing out or having difficulty breathing.
Note:
Do not give this drug to someone else. Periodic laboratory and/or diagnostic examinations (such as an EKG) should be conducted to monitor the progress and look for side effects. For more facts, speak to your doctor. Keep all medical and psychiatric appointments as planned.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose, do so as soon as you recall. If the next dose is coming, skip the skipped dose. Take the next dose at the same time every day. To catch up, do not double the dose.
Storage
Store away from light and moisture at room temperature. Keep out of the shower. Both drugs should be kept out of sight of children and pets.Unless otherwise directed, do not flush or spill drugs down the toilet or into a drain. When this commodity has expired or is no longer required, properly dispose of it. Consult your pharmacist or a waste collection company in your town.
Citalopram vs Fluoxetine
Citalopram |
Fluoxetine |
|---|---|
| Citalopram, sold under the brand name Celexa | Fluoxetine is sold under the brand names Prozac and Sarafem |
| Molecular Formula: C20H21FN2O | Formula: C17H18F3NO |
| Citalopram is is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class | Fluoxetine is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class |
| Citalopram is an antidepressant drug. It will raise your energy levels and make you feel better. Citalopram is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is selective (SSRI). | It is used for treating the major depressive disorder, bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. |
| Molecular Weight: 324.4 g/mol | Molecular Weight: 309.33 g/mol |
