What is citalopram?
Citalopram is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat depression.
Citalopram is also used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).
Cita-lo-pram belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
Citalopram side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to citalopram: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
How it works
Citalopram is part of the antidepressant drug class called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. SSRIs act in your brain to increase levels of a substance called serotonin. Having more serotonin in your brain can improve symptoms of depression.
Cita-lo-pram oral tablet can cause sleepiness. It can also cause other side effects.
More common side effects
The adult side effects for this drug are slightly different from the side effects for children. Adult side effects can include:
- nausea
- sleepiness
- weakness
- dizziness
- anxiousness
- trouble sleeping
- sexual problems
- sweating
- shaking
- hunger
- dry mouth
- constipation
- diarrhea
- respiratory infections
- yawning
Children’s side effects can include the above, plus:
- increased thirst
- abnormal increase in muscle movement or agitation
- nosebleeds
- more frequent urination
- heavy menstrual periods
- slowed growth rates and weight changes
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to citalopram or escitalopram (Lexapro), or if you also take pimozide.
Do not use citalopram if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you take citalopram.
Tell your doctor if you also use stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with cita-lo-pram could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
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