What is citalopram?
Citalopram is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Citalopram is used to treat depression.
Citalopram may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about citalopram?
Do not take citalopram together with pimozide (Orap), linezolid (Zyvox), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Before taking citalopram, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome, or an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. There are many other medicines that can increase your risk of heart rhythm problems if you use them together with citalopram.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
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.
Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medication. Do not start or stop taking citalopram during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking citalopram?
Do not take citalopram together with pimozide (Orap), linezolid (Zyvox), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
Tell your doctor about all other antidepressants you take, especially Cymbalta, Desyrel, Effexor, Lexapro, Luvox, Oleptro, Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax, Paxil, Pexeva, Viibryd, or Zoloft.
To make sure you can safely take citalopram, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
liver or kidney disease;
seizures or epilepsy;
heart disease, heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats, or recent history of heart attack;
personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
bipolar disorder (manic depression); or
a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medication. Citalopram may cause heart defects or serious lung problems in a newborn if you take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Do not start or stop taking citalopram during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.
Citalopram can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using citalopram.
Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.