What is citalopram?
Citalopram, my dear friend, is a pharmaceutical agent that belongs to a group of compounds referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This specific medication is commonly used to treat depression and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, heed my warning! Citalopram may provoke serious cardiac complications. If you are experiencing chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, shortness of breath, or sudden dizziness, it is crucial that you immediately seek medical attention.
Furthermore, under no circumstances should you take citalopram while also taking pimozide, as this combination may cause complications with your heart rhythm. It is also critical that you do not use citalopram if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days (such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine) or have received a methylene blue injection, as a fatal reaction may occur.
Moreover, individuals with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Young people, in particular, may experience increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medication to treat depression. If you experience any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or if you have any thoughts about suicide, it is imperative that you contact your doctor immediately.
It is important to report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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.
It is essential that you do not stop using citalopram without first consulting with your doctor.
Before taking citalopram, you must inform your doctor if you have any heart problems, long QT syndrome, high blood pressure, a history of stroke, bleeding problems, sexual problems, liver or kidney disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, seizures or epilepsy, bipolar disorder (manic depression), or an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium, magnesium, or sodium in your blood).
Additionally, you should inform your doctor if you are taking any 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, as interaction with citalopram could result in a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
If you are pregnant, taking citalopram could potentially harm your baby. However, stopping the medication may not be safe for you. It is crucial that you consult with your doctor before starting or stopping citalopram.
It is also important to note that you should not breastfeed while taking citalopram.
To take citalopram, you must follow your doctor’s prescribed dose exactly. Make sure to read all medication guides and instruction sheets carefully. Your doctor may occasionally alter your dose.
If you stop using citalopram suddenly, you may experience unpleasant symptoms such as agitation, confusion, tingling, or electric shock feelings. Therefore, it is crucial that you ask your doctor before discontinuing the medication.
The usual adult dose for depression is 20 mg orally once a day, with a maintenance dose of 20 to 40 mg orally once a day. The maximum dose is 40 mg orally per day. The initial dose may be increased to 40 mg once a day after at least one week of therapy, if necessary. However, doses of 60 mg/day did not demonstrate an advantage in efficacy over 40 mg/day doses.
