What is citalopram (oral)?
Citalopram is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs). Citalopram affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.
Citalopram is used to treat depression.
Citalopram may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking citalopram (oral)?
Do not use citalopram if you are using an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam).
Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these medicines are taken with citalopram. You
must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take citalopram. After you
stop taking citalopram, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI.
Before taking citalopram, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take citalopram.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if
you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or
suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening
lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you
may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are
planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking citalopram, do not stop taking the
medication without first talking to your doctor.
Citalopram can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give citalopram to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take citalopram (oral)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally
change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.
Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription
label.
To be sure you get the correct dose of liquid citalopram, measure the liquid with a marked
measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring
device, ask your pharmacist for one.
It may take 4 weeks or longer before you start feeling better. Do not stop using citalopram
without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this
medication suddenly.
Store citalopram at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of citalopram (oral)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about citalopram (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about citalopram (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of citalopram (oral)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or
behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated,
hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts
about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven
heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes;
-
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling
unsteady, loss of coordination; or
-
headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems,
weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
drowsiness;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
mild nausea, gas, upset stomach;
-
weight changes;
-
urinating more than usual;
-
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an
orgasm;
-
dry or watery mouth, yawning; or
-
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about citalopram (oral)?
Do not take citalopram together with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can
take citalopram. After you stop taking citalopram, you must wait at least 14 days before you start
taking an MAOI.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if
you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the
first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or
behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated,
hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts
about suicide or hurting yourself.
Some antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn
babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of
depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or
if you become pregnant while taking citalopram, do not stop taking the medication without first talking
to your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking citalopram (oral)?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of citalopram.
Citalopram can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or
allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or
anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by citalopram.
What other drugs will affect citalopram (oral)?
Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This
includes aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin),
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone
(Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with citalopram may cause you to
bruise or bleed easily.
Before taking citalopram, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
-
carbamazepine (Tegretol);
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil),
escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine
(Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft); or
-
almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan
(Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
citalopram. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of citalopram (oral)?