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What is the most important information I should know about
citalopram?
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While you are taking citalopram you may need to be monitored for
worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts at the start
of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased
risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18
years of age or younger and are taking citalopram. In patients younger
than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or
when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the
following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping,
irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental
and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with
the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal
thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any
new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with citalopram.
Do not stop taking citalopram. |
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Do not stop taking without first talking to your doctor. It may take
several weeks for you to start feeling better. |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Citalopram may cause dizziness. If you experience
dizziness, avoid these activities. |
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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and
dizziness while taking citalopram or affect your condition. |
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Citalopram is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors. Citalopram affects chemicals in the brain that may
become unbalanced and cause depression. |
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Citalopram is used to treat depression. |
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Citalopram may also be used for purposes other than those listed in
this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
citalopram?
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• |
While you are taking citalopram you may need to be monitored for
worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts at the start
of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased
risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18
years of age or younger and are taking citalopram. In patients younger
than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or
when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the
following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping,
irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental
and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with
the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal
thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any
new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with citalopram.
Do not stop taking citalopram. |
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You cannot take citalopram if you have taken a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. A dangerous drug
interaction can occur if citalopram is combined with any of these
medications. |
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Before taking citalopram, tell your doctor if you |
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suffer from seizures, or |
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suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts. |
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You may not be able to take citalopram, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
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Citalopram should not be taken during treatment with escitalopram (Lexapro).
Also, if you have had an allergic reaction to escitalopram (Lexapro),
you may also have an allergic reaction to citalopram. Do not take
citalopram without first talking to your doctor if you have had an
allergic reaction to either medication in the past. |
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Citalopram is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is
not known whether citalopram will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not
take citalopram without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment. |
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Citalopram passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant.
Do not take citalopram without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take citalopram?
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Take citalopram exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. |
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Citalopram may be taken with or without food. |
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To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the citalopram
solution with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table
spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist
where you can get one. |
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Citalopram is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's
instructions. Take the dose at the same time each day. |
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It is important to take citalopram regularly to get the most benefit. |
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Do not stop taking citalopram without first talking to your doctor.
It may take several weeks for you to start feeling better. |
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Store citalopram at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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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 a double dose of
this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
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Symptoms of a citalopram overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor,
drowsiness, dizziness, sweating, and a fast heartbeat. |
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What should I avoid while taking citalopram?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Citalopram may cause dizziness. If you experience
dizziness, avoid these activities. |
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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and
dizziness while taking citalopram or affect your condition. |
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What are the possible side effects of citalopram?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking citalopram and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency
medical treatment: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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an irregular heartbeat or pulse; |
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low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); |
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high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or |
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If you experience any of the following less serious side effects,
continue taking citalopram and talk to your doctor: |
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headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; |
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nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight; |
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sleepiness or insomnia; or |
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decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect citalopram?
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You cannot take citalopram if you have taken a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. A dangerous drug
interaction can occur when citalopram is combined with any of these
medications. |
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Before taking citalopram, tell your doctor if you are taking any of
the following medicines: |
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another antidepressant such as fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox),
sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), trazodone (Desyrel), or
nefazodone (Serzone); |
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a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil),
imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and
others; |
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a seizure medication including carbamazepine (Tegretol) or felbamate
(Felbatol); |
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a stomach medicine such as cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB),
ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), or omeprazole (Prilosec); |
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an antibiotic such as erythromycin (Eryc-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S.,
Erythrocin, P.C.E., others), linezolid (Zyvox) or clarithromycin (Biaxin); |
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an antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan),
itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral); |
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a migraine medication such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax),
frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt),
sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); |
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the asthma medication zafirlukast (Accolate); or |
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lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs). |
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You may not be able to take citalopram, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any
of the medicines listed above. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with citalopram.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal
products. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about citalopram written
for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and only use this
medication for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.02. Revision date: 11/
17/ 04. |
