What is Citalopram
Citalopram is a drug that belongs to the SSRI family of drugs. This medication affects your mood and helps to level out serotonin levels in your brain. The brand name for citalopram is Celexa and is commonly prescribed for the treatment of depression. It is also used to treat alcoholism and premenstrual dysphoria.
Common Side Effects
This herb is used to treat depression as well and the two together should be avoided. There are some Citalopram side effects that every patient should be aware of. These side effects include:
- Sweating excessively
- Disinterest in sexual activity
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea, nausea and upset stomach
- Easy excitability and nervousness
- Involuntary and uncontrollable muscle movements
- Pain in the muscles and/or joints
If you experience any of these bothersome side affects you should definitely call your doctor and inform them of it. But it is important to remember that your physician judged the benefits versus the risks to you and decided that taking Citalopram would be useful for your particular medical condition..
Anti-depressants and ssri drugs are the most widely used and prescribed drugs for the treatment of depression and other mental disorders. Many times these medications are very beneficial in relieving depressive feelings and suicidal thoughts and tendencies. There is the rare case, however that a patient’s depression may worsen when they are prescribed anti-depressants. Before starting a treatment plan with citalopram you should thoroughly discuss the benefits and the risks of taking any drug in the ssri family of pills. If you notice any unusual or bizarre behavior or sudden mood swings you should tell your doctor immediately. You should be especially cautious if you have just started on a new anti-depressant or if your dose has been recently changed.
Citalopram works by adjusting or restoring the levels of serotonin in your brain. After taking citalopram for about a month you may experience a better sense of well- being. Also you may have more energy and feel physically better.
How to Use Citalopram
First of all you should thoroughly read the drug information that is given to you by your pharmacist before starting any ssri. This information will advise you in detail of the uses and adverse side effects of celexa. It is important to read all of the information provided to you so that you correctly take the drug. The dosage is determined by your personal medical needs and your doctor will prescribe it according to the symptoms of your condition.Usually patients are prescribed citalopram once in the morning or evening. If you happen to be given the liquid form of citalopram you should be sure to measure the dose out precisely so that you receive the correct amount. A medicine cup is advised and you should never measure your dose with a spoon that you use commonly in the household. It is best to take it at the same time each day so that you don’t miss a dose. You should never suddenly stop taking an anti-depressant without first consulting your doctor.
There is a condition called serotonin syndrome that can happen when you suddenly increase your dose of any ssri drug. The symptoms of this syndrome are fast heart rate, hallucinations, unexplained fever or severe nausea and vomiting. If you experience any of these things you should call your doctor as soon as possible.
There are some drug interactions that you need to be aware of. Taking certain medications with celexa could result in fatality. It is wise to educate yourself on medications that react adversely with citalopram. These drugs include:
- MAO inhibitors
- Rasagaline
- phentermine
- cimetidine
- warfarin
- tryptophan
- selegiline
- certain weight loss drugs
- clopidegrel
Before taking this medication it is advised to go over your complete medical history with your doctor. Do not drive or use any type of heavy machinery while taking this or any other ssri drug. These anti-depressants cause drowsiness so you should always be cautious when doing any kind of activity where you need to remain alert. This medication can be used during pregnancy only if absolutely necessary. It can cause harm to the unborn fetus. Also babies that are born to mothers who took this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy experienced withdrawal systems after they were born. If you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant you should definitely tell your physician. If you miss a dose it is important to take your citalopram as soon as possible. If it is time to take your next dose skip the missed dose and resume your schedule of taking the medication.
Citalopram withdrawal symptoms
- Burning or tingling
- Confusion
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Irritability or agitation
It is never a good idea to suddenly stop taking ssris. If you experience any of these withdrawal symptoms contact a health care professional immediately. If you need to stop taking citalopram, your doctor may wean you off slowly so as to avoid experiencing any of these uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. If you do start experiencing these symptoms your health care provider may choose to put you back on your previous citalopram dosage and then begin weaning you off even slower. If you stay in communication with your physician you should be able to avoid any of these issues.
There are certain times in our lives that can cause us to feel depressed and hopeless. It is good to know that in these current times there are physicians who care about your mental condition. There is also a wide selection of anti-depressant medications that can help you through those uncertain times. As long as you are completely honest with your physician and take citalopram correctly you should feel good again in no time.
Interactions With Other Drugs
Citalopram should never be taken with the drug called Lexapro because they have a very similar ingredient. Also alcoholic beverages should be avoided while on this drug as well because combining the two can cause adverse side effects. Using these two together can cause extreme drowsiness and this should be avoided at all times. Citalopram also should never be taken with St. John’s Wort.
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