Safety Information/ Warning Precautions
Before using Citalopram, you should consult a physician and discuss about your medical history.
You should not use Citalopram if:
You are using pimozide
You have been given a methylene blue injection
You have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days
Citalopram may not be suitable for you if:
You have liver or kidney disease,
You have seizures or epilepsy,
You have diabetes,
You have narrow-angle glaucoma,
You have heart disease,
You have bipolar disorder (manic depression) or
You have a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
Drug Interactions
Citalopram may interact with some medications. So if you are using any prescription, non prescription, OTC medicines or dietary supplements, then inform your physician in advance before you use Citalopram.
Some of them are:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), diclofenac and meloxicam.
Additional Information
Antidepressants may trigger suicidal thoughts in some young patients when they start taking it. Your progress to the drug should be monitored closely by your doctor. Any sudden mood change, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated should be reported immediately to your doctor.
Pregnancy Information
Citalopram can cause severe lung complications in an unborn fetus. However, if you stop using an antidepressant during pregnancy, then it may lead to a relapse of the depression.
Citalopram may be passed on to the baby if you are breast feeding. Please speak to your doctor about the potential risks of breast feeding while using Citalopram.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Citalopram are:
Drowsiness, tired feeling, sleep problems (insomnia), vision changes, mild nausea, gas, heartburn, upset stomach, constipation, weight changes, decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm or increased sweating.
These side effects usually subside by themselves in sometime as the body gets used to Citalopram.
Some uncommon but potentially dangerous side effects are:
Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination, racing thoughts, unusual risk-taking behavior, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness, low levels of sodium in the body - headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.
You should see a doctor immediately if one of these side effects occur.