Revisions to Product Labeling. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and risk of gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding. J Osteopath Med.
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Taking Antidepressants During Pregnancy. Tips to Reduce Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Why is weight gain or weight loss common when taking SSRIs? Such medicines can increase or decrease your appetite and affect your metabolism. While studies have shown that citalopram does affect appetite, it also depends on the person. While citalopram is an effective drug to treat depression and anxiety, there are other brand-name antidepressant drugs that are available to help manage your symptoms as well.
In fact, some alternatives may suit your needs even better. Below are details about two popular FDA-approved alternatives to citalopram, including their similarities and differences. Both citalopram and Lexapro escitalopram are SSRIs and therefore similarly and effectively treat anxiety and depression. As citalopram and Lexapro belong in the same category of drugs, both medications can cause very similar side effects.
Both are typically taken once a day, though they come in different strengths and, more importantly, each one has a different recommended starting dosage and daily dosage to work up to. While citalopram is an off-label drug to treat anxiety, Lexapro is FDA-approved to treat adults with anxiety.
Additionally, while citalopram has FDA approval to treat adults with depression, Lexapro is FDA-approved to treat depression in adults as well as in children aged years. Citalopram and Lexapro are both available as tablets to swallow, only Lexapro is available in liquid form. Though both citalopram and Lexapro may pose similar issues with drug interactions , Lexapro may interact with fewer drugs. It may also treat a wider variety of anxiety disorders.
Like citalopram, Zoloft sertraline is also an SSRIs and therefore similarly and effectively treats anxiety and depression.
Both medications can cause very similar side effects and are typically taken once a day. They each come in different strengths and, more importantly, your doctor needs to determine what starting dosage is right for you and what daily dosage you should gradually work up to.
In addition to FDA approval to treat depression, Zoloft also has FDA approval to treat other disorders , including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and PTSD, among others, while citalopram is an off-label drug to treat these conditions. Similar to Lexapro, Zoloft is offered in both tablet and liquid form. Citalopram is currently only available as a tablet. Though we listed common side effects that can occur when taking citalopram, there are also more concerning ones that could occur in rare cases.
Check with your doctor before starting citalopram if you: have had an allergic reaction to citalopram or any other medicines in the past have a heart problem — citalopram can speed up or change your heartbeat have ever taken any other medicines for depression — some rarely used antidepressants can interact with citalopram to cause very high blood pressure , even when they have been stopped for a few weeks are trying to become pregnant, already pregnant or breastfeeding have an eye condition called glaucoma — citalopram can increase the pressure in your eye have epilepsy or are having electroconvulsive treatment — citalopram may increase your risk of having a seizure If you have diabetes , citalopram can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable.
Take citalopram once a day. You can take it with or without food. If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning. Dosage Citalopram tablets come in different strengths ranging from 10mg to 40mg. With liquid drops of citalopram, 4 drops is equivalent to a 10mg tablet. What if I forget to take it?
If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Call your doctor straight away if:. You have taken too much citalopram and have symptoms such as: being sick vomiting shaking feeling sleepy fast heart rate fits or seizures. Common side effects Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away: dry mouth sweating a lot being unable to sleep feeling sleepy feeling tired or weak Serious side effects Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information.
What to do about: dry mouth — chew sugar-free gum or sugar-free sweets sweating a lot — try wearing loose clothing, use a strong anti-perspirant and keep cool using a fan if possible. If this does not help, you may need to try a different type of antidepressant. Do not drive or use tools or machinery if you're feeling sleepy.
If this does not help, talk to your doctor. Cut down the amount of alcohol you drink as it can make you feel worse. Citalopram and pregnancy It's important for you and your baby that you stay well during your pregnancy.
Citalopram and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, citalopram can be used during breastfeeding. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start citalopram : any medicines that affect your heartbeat — citalopram can speed up or change your heartbeat any other medicines for depression — some rarely used antidepressants can interact with citalopram to cause very high blood pressure even when they have been stopped for a few weeks Mixing citalopram with herbal remedies and supplements Do not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you're being treated with citalopram as this will increase your risk of side effects.
Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does citalopram work? When will I feel better? It usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks before you feel the full benefits.
Give the medicine at least 6 weeks to work. How will it make me feel? How long will I take it for? Is it safe to take it for a long time? For most people, citalopram is safe to take for a long time. How do I come off citalopram? These include: dizziness feeling sick numbness or tingling in the hands or feet trouble sleeping feeling agitated or anxious headaches shaking Important Do not stop taking citalopram suddenly or without talking to your doctor first.
Is citalopram better than other antidepressants? Citalopram is not any better or worse than other antidepressants. Talk to your doctor if you are not feeling any better after 6 weeks.
Will I gain or lose weight? Later on, you may gain a little weight as your appetite returns. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications. They may decrease the benefits e. If an overdose occurs, call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care.
You may also contact the poison control center at Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, feeling nervous, restless, fatigue, or having trouble sleeping insomnia. These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication. Sexual side effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay often do not diminish over time. Low sodium blood levels symptoms of low sodium levels may include headache, weakness, difficulty concentrating and remembering , teeth grinding, angle closure glaucoma symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around eye , serotonin syndrome symptoms may include shivering, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death , seizure.
SSRI antidepressants including citalopram may increase the risk of bleeding events. Combined use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e. This may include symptoms such as gums that bleed more easily, nose bleed, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Some cases have been life threatening. August Citalopram at doses greater than 40 mg per day could potentially cause a dangerous abnormality in the electrical activity of the heart. Citalopram use is discouraged in patients with congenital long QT syndrome. Patients with low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood are also at increased risk. If you are currently taking citalopram at a dose greater than 40 mg per days, talk to your health care professional.
Seek immediate care if you experience an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting while taking citalopram. If you are taking citalopram, your health care professional may occasionally order an electrocardiogram ECG, EKG to monitor your heart rate and rhythm.
Your health care provider may also order tests to check levels of potassium and magnesium in your blood. To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of citalopram. It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Citalopram should not be taken with or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs. Citalopram may increase the effects of other medications that can cause bleeding e.
Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working.
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