Citalopram is an SSRI used for depression and panic disorder. It shares the general SSRI pattern — slow to work, harder in the first fortnight, never stopped abruptly — with one particular feature of its own: firm maximum doses, because of an effect on heart rhythm.
Depression and panic disorder, and sometimes other anxiety conditions.
Once daily, with or without food, at the same time each day. Drops and tablets are not interchangeable dose for dose — follow exactly what is prescribed.
Citalopram can affect the electrical recovery of the heart (the QT interval), so maximum doses are lower than they once were — and lower again in people over 65 and those with liver problems.
Tell your prescriber if you have a heart condition or a family history of sudden death, or if you take other medicines that affect heart rhythm, including some antibiotics, antipsychotics and antiarrhythmics.
Get urgent help for palpitations, fainting, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat.
Nausea, dry mouth, sweating, drowsiness or difficulty sleeping, and sexual side effects are the common ones. Most physical effects ease over the first few weeks.
Do not stop citalopram abruptly. Withdrawal effects including dizziness, electric-shock sensations, nausea and irritability are common. Reduce gradually with your GP.
Tell your prescriber about other antidepressants, triptans, tramadol, St John’s wort, anti-inflammatories and anticoagulants.
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