Citalopram

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of depression.

How does it work?

• Citalopram inhibits the reuptake of a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Sleep and appetite may improve quickly. Other symptoms may take up to 4-6 weeks to improve.

How is it best taken?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Take in the morning or follow healthcare provider's directions.
• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Make sure you have the right medicine. This medicine is a tablet, not a capsule.
• Do not take with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These include isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Separate by 2 weeks.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are taking any herbal products.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Feeling tired. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Inability to sleep. Take in the morning.
• Anxiety. Tolerance usually develops.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without this side effect.

What should I monitor?

• Routine follow-up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Very nervous and excitable.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store tablets in a tight, light-resistant container.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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