What is Citalopram (Celexa) and its Side Effects

The antidepressant drug Citalopram works by affecting the chemicals called neurotransmitters that are used by the nerves in the brain to transmit to each other. These chemicals are produces by the nerves and are than passed to the final destination through the neighboring nerves.  The neurotransmitters are in that sense the communication framework of the brain. The disbalance of the neurotransmitters is generally accepted by the experts as the reason for depression.

Citalopram enables the nerve cells to deny receiving the neurotransmitter seretonin, therefore causing the brain to have more seretonin availabable to simulate nerve cells. Citalopram is part of the Selective Seretonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) class of drugs. Fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) are belong to the same class of medicines as well. Citalopram has been approved by FDA in July 1998.

Just like almost all other medications, Citalopram can cause undesirable side effects. Because medications are rigorously tested and officially approved before being released to use, most of the population can take the treatment without experiencing side effects. However, some of the users can experience side effects due to the use of such drugs.

It is therefore very important to know the side effects that Citalopram can cause in order to understand whether it will affect your health in an unwanted way. In addition to this, knowing what possible side effects Citalopram can cause will help you understand the symptoms that you might experience.

Side effects of Citalopram

When taking Citalopram both light and serious side effects can occur. Most often Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors cause sexual dysfunction as a side effect. These side effects are commonly experienced as a difficulty to become aroused, decreased sexual interest, and difficulty to achieve orgasm. In addition to these, this class of antidepressants can also lead to ejaculatory anhedonia, and decrease or complete loss of response towards sexual stimuli. It is rare that these side effects become permanent after termination of the drug usage – in most of the cases they are reversible.

Citalopram can be the cause of such 4 pics 1 word answersside effects because it increases the intensity of serotonin in particular parts of the body such as intestines etc. The decrease of dopamine production that follows the increase of serotonin might be the cause for side effects as emotional flattening and an increase of apathy. Being a soft antihistamina gives Citalopram sedating properties.

Common adverse effects of Citalopram are weight gain or loss, nausea, insomnia, drowsiness, increased urination frequency, dry mouth, vivid dreaming, anorgasmia and decreased sex drive, sweating increase, diarrhea, trembling, excessive yawning and fatigue. Some other side effects caused by Citalopram that are less common are bruxism, cardiac arrhythmia, blood pressure fluctuations, headache, dizziness, anxiety, vomiting and dilated pupils. It can also be the cause of more rare symptoms like hallucinations, allergic reactions and convulsions. In those with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, Citalopram, like many other SSRIs, can inflict a mixed state.

Citalopram can also lead to serotonin syndrome, which causes mental changes, confusion, lack of coordination, unexpected body or facial movements, agitation, hallucinations, overactive reflexes, sweatingm shivering, excitement, shakiness, hart rhythm irregularities, blood pressure irregularities, urinating problems etc.

The US Food and Drug Administration organization (FDA) declared that Cialopram may interfere with the electrical activity of the heart if the dose exceeds 40 milligrams – this could lead to immediate death. The maximum dose of Citalopram recommended for patients suffering from hepatic impairment, older than 60 y/o, CYP 2C19 poor metabolizers or that are using concomitant cimetidine (traded under the brand Tagamet) is 20 mg / day.

When the treatment is discontinued, SSRI discontinuation syndrome has been reported. Instead of an immediate interruption of the treatment, a gradual tapering off is recommended for those undercitalopram therapy, in order to avoid and minimize the discontinuation symptoms. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for further information about this.

It is crucial that you are very attentive in observing the side effects not only in a short period of time but also when you have taken the medicine for a while without experiencing no side effects for that period. Side effects of Citalopram can happen when you just begin to take it or even after months.  Do not be afraid or embarrass to ask the doctor for the side effects or any other question you may have regarding the drug.

Citalopram should not be interrupted suddenly. Before you decide to stop taking it you should discuss it with your doctor. He will help you interrupt it slowly. Even though Citalopram does not cause habit is not advisable to stop it immediately because it is possible that the side effects may get worse or bigger. While the interruption step by step, with your doctor’s help, will decrease the probability of arising side effects.

In case of side effects after taking 20 mg of Citalopram, or any other quantity of it, do not be afraid. If the side effect you experience is mild, you should just keep in touch with your doctor.  He will calm your side effects by changing the dosage of Citalopram or just change the medicine. In case of wild side effects you should not wait for the doctor bur rather should call the emergency room to get quick medical attention. Maybe Citalopram is a very wrong medicine in your case.

Do not take citalopram in conjunction with pimozide (Orap), linezolid (Zyvox), or a enzyme matter (MAOI) like furazolidone (Furoxone), monoamine oxidase inhibitor (Marplan), Nardil (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or MAOI (Parnate).

Before you’re taking citalopram, tell your doctor if you have got seizures or brain disease, a trauma disorder, liver or uropathy, affective disorder, cardiopathy, a cardiac rhythm disorder, recent history of coronary failure, or a history of substance abuse or unsafe thoughts.

You may have thoughts concerning suicide after you 1st begin taking AN medicament, particularly if you’re younger than twenty four years recent. Your doctor can ought to check you at regular visits for a minimum of the primary twelve weeks of treatment.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, bother sleeping, or if you’re feeling impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, overactive (mentally or physically), additional depressed, or have thoughts concerning suicide or pain yourself.

Tell your doctor quickly if you Movie Quiz Answers become pregnant whereas taking this medication. Citalopram could cause heart defects or serious respiratory organ issues during a newborn if you’re taking the medication throughout physiological condition. However, you’ll have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your medicament. don’t begin or stop taking citalopram throughout physiological condition while not your doctor’s recommendation.