Citalopram

1 medicine

Citalopram is an SSRI antidepressant that carries a dose-dependent risk of QT prolongation, an abnormal heart rhythm, so your prescriber caps the dose and keeps it lower if you are over 60 or have liver problems.

Celexa

Citalopram

10/20mg

Celexa is a antidepressants medication containing Citalopram, available as 10/20mg tablets.

from $0.53 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Citalopram is an SSRI antidepressant that raises serotonin levels in the brain to treat depression and some anxiety-related conditions.
  • You take one tablet a day at a consistent time; it typically takes 2 to 4 weeks of daily use before mood benefits become noticeable.
  • Citalopram carries a dose-dependent risk of QT prolongation, an abnormal heart rhythm, so your prescriber caps your dose and keeps it lower if you are over 60, have liver problems, or take other heart-rhythm-affecting medicines.
  • Seek urgent care for fainting, a pounding or irregular heartbeat, or new or worsening suicidal thoughts, especially in the first weeks of treatment or after a dose change.

What citalopram treats

Citalopram treats major depressive disorder and is also used for panic disorder, generalised anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. It eases persistent low mood, excessive worry, and repetitive intrusive thoughts, but it takes sustained daily use to work and is not a fast-acting sedative.

How citalopram works

Nerve cells release serotonin to carry mood-related signals, then normally reabsorb it to end the signal. Citalopram blocks that reabsorption at the serotonin transporter, leaving more serotonin active between nerve cells. The brain adapts to this change gradually, which is why the antidepressant effect builds over weeks rather than appearing immediately.

Before you take it

  • Do not take citalopram within 14 days of stopping an MAOI antidepressant, or start an MAOI within 2 weeks of stopping citalopram, the combination can cause a dangerous serotonin build-up.
  • Do not take citalopram if you have congenital long QT syndrome or an existing prolonged QT interval.
  • Tell your prescriber about bipolar disorder, a bleeding tendency, low blood potassium or magnesium, or any other medicine that affects heart rhythm.
  • Children, teenagers and young adults have a higher chance of new or worsening suicidal thoughts in the first weeks of treatment or after a dose change, and need close monitoring.

Side effects

Common effects include nausea, dry mouth, headache, sleep changes, sweating, and sexual side effects.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Agitation, high fever, tremor, or a rapid heartbeat, signs of serotonin syndrome.
  • Fainting or an irregular heartbeat.
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising.
  • New or worsening suicidal thoughts.

Safety essentials

  • Do not exceed the dose your prescriber sets. The QT-prolongation risk rises with higher doses, and your prescriber may order an ECG if you have heart disease or take other QT-prolonging medicines.
  • Never combine citalopram with an MAOI, the required washout period between them must be observed in both directions.
  • If you are under 25, you and those around you should watch closely for new or worsening suicidal thoughts, particularly early in treatment.
  • Do not stop citalopram abruptly, taper the dose under medical guidance to avoid discontinuation symptoms such as dizziness and irritability.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.