What is Citalopram: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Citalopram

• Take this medicine as directed. You may need to take it for a month or more before you feel better. Your dose may need to be changed to find out what works best for you.

• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Take this medicine as directed. You may need to take it for a month or more before you feel better. Your dose may need to be changed to find out what works best for you.

• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What to do if you miss a dose of Citalopram

Citalopram contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to citalopram.

Citalopram warnings

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, glaucoma, heart problems, or a seizure disorder. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a bipolar disorder, heart rhythm problem (such as QT prolongation or a slow heartbeat), or a recent heart attack.

• This medicine may cause the following problems: Heart rhythm problemsSerotonin syndrome (more likely when used with certain other medicines)Increased risk of bleeding problemsLow sodium levelsSlow growth in children

• This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual behavior

• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Citalopram interactions

• Do not use this medicine together with pimozide. Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other.

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Your doctor may want to monitor your child's weight and height, because this medicine may cause decreased appetite and weight loss in children.

• Some medicines can affect how citalopram works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following: Buspirone, carbamazepine, chlorpromazine, cimetidine, fentanyl, gatifloxacin, levomethadyl, lithium, methadone, moxifloxacin, omeprazole, pentamidine, St John's wort, thioridazine, tramadol, or tryptophan supplementsAmphetaminesBlood thinner (including warfarin)Diuretic (water pill)Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)Triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches (including sumatriptan)

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.