Citalopram

Description

Citalopram is used to maintain balance among the serotonin levels in the brain. Citalopram belongs to the family of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is an antidepressant.

 

 

 

Uses

 

Citalopram is used in the treatment of depression. It is prescribed, in particular, to those who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

 

This medication is sometimes also used to treat symptoms associated with obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder. It may also be used to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes in women who are going through menopause.
Contact your doctor to find out all the benefits that Citalopram can provide.

 

Dosage

 

You should always follow the instructions provided to you by your physician. Do not take Citalopram in a greater or small dosage than you have been directed.

 

This medication should be taken orally.

 

The recommended dosage for Citalopram is 20 mg. This dose should be taken once a day, either in the morning or in the evening. This medication can be taken with a meal, or alone.

 

If you missed a dose, take 20 mg of Citalopram as soon as you remember. If your next dose is due soon, refrain from taking the missed dose and take the scheduled dose instead. Do not combine the two doses together.

 

In case of overdose, contact your emergency services.

 

 

Side Effects

 

You may experience certain side effects while taking this medication. The less common side effects reported were:

 

 Anxiety
 Problems with vision
 Fever
 Disorientation
 Changes in urination patterns
 Apathy
 Breathing difficulties
 Rashes
 Changes in menstrual cycle
 Difficulty with memory

 

The symptoms rarely experienced while taking this medication were:

 

 Digestive problems
 Bleeding from the nose or gums
 Changes in appetite
 Unusual thirst
 Soreness in breasts
 Unprecedented production of milk in women
 Fatigue
 Increase in weight
 Skin problems
 Changes in skin temperature
 Erratic hearbeat
 Facial or body tics
 Exuberant behavior
 Uncontrollable movements
 Seizures

 

Contact your physician immediately if you experience any of these side effects.

 

Contraindications

 

Contact your physician if you are pregnant and have been prescribed Citalopram. This medication may harm the fetus. Citalopram can be transferred to your baby through breast milk. Inform your doctor if you wish to breastfeed your child.

 

Medications that cause bleeding or bruising as a side effect may interact negatively with Citalopram. Drugs such as NSAIDS, blood thinners, and clopidogrel should not be used in addition to Citalopram.

 

Aspirin may cause bleeding in those prescribed with Citalopram. If you have been prescribed with Aspirin as a form of prevention of heart problems or strokes, inform your doctor before the antidepressant.

 

MAO inhibitors may have a fatal interaction with Citalopram. These medications should not be taken within the same period of time. Any medications containing MAO inhibitors should not be taken two weeks before Citalopram is prescribed. You should also not take the medication at least two weeks after you have stopped taking Citalopram.

 

To maintain a non-toxic level of serotonin in the body, you should avoid consuming other products that may also contain serotonin. This includes recreational drugs containing MMDA (ecstasy), particular herbs such as St John’s Wort, and other antidepressants such as other SSRIs and tryptophan.

 

Inform your doctor if you are taking any supplements or medications that cause sleepiness or lethargy. This includes sleep aids, muscle relaxants, or any medications prescribed for anxiety or pain.