Citalopram-Ratiopharm
Citalopram-ratiopharm is a medicine that helps with depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
20 mg
Active Ingredient
Citalopram hydrobromide
Manufacturer
ratiopharm GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, the usual dose is 20 mg once a day. For elderly patients or those with liver problems, the maximum dose is 20 mg per day.
Method
Take the tablet by mouth once a day with water, with or without food.
Important
For adults, maximum 40 mg per day. For elderly patients or those with liver problems, maximum 20 mg per day.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Drowsiness, sleeplessness, headache
- •Nausea, dry mouth, increased sweating
- •Feeling of weakness and tiredness
- •Difficulty for eyes to adapt to different viewing distances
- •Increased or decreased appetite, weight loss
- •Agitation, nervousness, confusion
- •Anxiety, abnormal dreams, memory loss, apathy
- •Migraine
- •Tremor, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, dizziness
- •Difficulty concentrating
- •Taste changes
- •Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- •Palpitations, high or low blood pressure
- •Yawning, runny nose, sinusitis
- •Diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach problems (e.g., abdominal pain, indigestion, gas), increased salivation
- •Itching
- •Muscle and joint pain
- •Excessive or abnormal urine volume, difficulty urinating
- •Decreased sexual desire
- •Difficulty achieving orgasm in women, menstrual pain/cramps
- •Ejaculation and erection problems in men
- •Impotence
- •Fatigue
RARE
- •Increased appetite, weight gain
- •Aggression, hallucinations, hyperactivity and exaggerated mood (mania), feeling unreal or strange (depersonalization), euphoria
- •Sudden loss of consciousness or fainting (syncope)
- •Dilated pupils
- •Fast or slow heart rate
- •Hives, hair loss, rash, bruising, photosensitivity
- •Difficulty urinating
- •Abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual periods, irregular uterine bleeding between periods
- •Swelling of arms and legs
- •Low sodium levels in the blood (mainly in elderly women)
- •Increased sexual desire
- •Seizures, involuntary movements
- •Bleeding
- •Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- •Cough
- •Fever
- •General feeling of being unwell
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to citalopram or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Do not take if you are currently taking or have recently taken medicines called MAO inhibitors (for depression).
- Do not take if you have an abnormal heart rhythm or if you take medicines that affect your heart rhythm.
- Do not take if you are taking linezolid (for bacterial infections), unless under strict medical supervision.
- Contact your doctor immediately or go to a hospital if you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide.
Show 5 more warnings
- Tell your doctor right away if you experience high fever, shaking, sudden muscle jerks, and restlessness, as these could be signs of serotonin syndrome.
- Contact your doctor if you feel unwell with muscle weakness or confusion, especially if you are an elderly woman, as this might indicate low sodium levels.
- Seek immediate medical help if you have breathing difficulties, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or severe itchy rash, as these can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
- Contact your doctor if you experience new seizures or if your existing seizures become more frequent.
- Contact your doctor if your behavior changes and you feel overly excited or active (mania).
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Serotonergic. Risk of QT prolongation. A significant adverse effect is low serum sodium level. Increases risk of falls. Consider potential interactions especially with preparations that increase risk of bleeding. (updated 12.2.2024)