2 Before you take Citalopram Tablets
Do not take Citalopram tablets if you:
- are allergic (hypersensitive) to citalopram or any of the other ingredients (See Section 6).
- are taking MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors (medicines used for treatment of depression or Parkinson’s disease). The
MAO-inhibitor called selegiline may be used in combination with citalopram, but only at doses of less than 10 mg per day.
- have recently taken MAO-inhibitors. Depending on the type of MAO-inhibitor you used to use, you may have to wait for up to
14 days after stopping the MAO-inhibitor before starting with Citalopram. If you stop taking Citalopram and want to start using
MAO-inhibitors, you have to wait for at least 7 days. Please ask your doctor for advice.
- are taking linezolid unless you are under close medical supervision and monitored on blood pressure.
- are taking pimozide (an antipsychotic medicine).
- are born with or have had an episode of abnormal heart rhythm (seen at ECG; an examination to evaluate how the heart is
functioning)
- take medicines for heart rhythm problems or that may affect the heart’s rhythm. Also refer to the section “Taking other
medicines” below.
Use in children and adolescents under 18 years
Citalopram tablets should normally not be used by children and adolescents under 18 years. Also, you should know that patients under 18
have an increased risk of side effects such as suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts and hostility (predominantly aggression, confrontional
behaviour and anger) when they take this class of medicines. Despite this, your doctor may prescribe Citalopram for patients under 18
because he/she decides that this is in their best interest. If your doctor has prescribed Citalopram for a patient under 18 and you want to
discuss this, please go back to your doctor. You should inform your doctor if any of the symptoms listed above develop or worsen when
patients under 18 are taking this medicine. Also, the long-term safety effects concerning growth, maturation and cognitive and behavioural
development of Citalopram in this age group have not yet been demonstrated.
Thoughts of suicide and worsening of your depression
If you are depressed you can sometimes have thoughts of harming or killing yourself. These may be increased when first starting
antidepressants, since these medicines all take time to work, (usually about two weeks but sometimes longer).
You may be more likely to think like this if you:
- have previously had thoughts about killing or harming yourself.
- are a young adult. Information from clinical trials has shown an increased risk of suicidal behaviour in adults aged less than 25
years with psychiatric conditions who were treated with an antidepressant.
If you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself at any time, contact your doctor or go to a hospital straight away.
You may find it helpful to tell a relative or close friend that you are depressed and ask them to read this leaflet. You might
ask them to tell you if they think your depression is getting worse, or if they are worried about changes in your behaviour.
Take special care and check with your doctor before taking Citalopram Tablets if you:
- have diabetes (as your doctor may need to adjust the dose of insulin your antidiabetic medicine)
- have had seizures or have epilepsy. You will be carefully monitored by your doctor. Treatment with Citalopram should be
stopped if seizures occur or if you start having more seizures than usual.
- are receiving electro-convulsive treatment (ECT).
- have or have had episodes of mania (overactive behaviour or thoughts).
- have a history of bleeding disorders or are using medicines that affect blood clotting or increase the risk of
bleeding
- suffer from psychosis with depressive episodes, because the psychotic symptoms may increase.
- have impaired kidney or liver function (your doctor may need to reduce the dose of Citalopram and will also check your
liver function)
- have or are prone to heart rhythm disorders (QTinterval prolongation or have suspected congenital QT-syndrome)
- suffer or have suffered from heart problems or have recently had a heart attack
- have a low resting heart-rate and/or you know that you may have salt depletion as a result of prolonged severe
diarrhoea and vomiting (being sick) or usage of diuretics (water tablets)
- experience a fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, collapse or dizziness on standing up which may indicate abnormal
functioning of the heart rate
- suffer from low blood levels of potassium or magnesium (hypokalaemia/hypomagnesaemia).
- suffer from low blood sodium (hyponatremia) or SIADH (inappropriate secretion of the anti-diuretic hormone which
regulates the water balance in the body). These disorders have been reported rarely when taking Citalopram (mainly in the elderly) and
generally they stabilize on stopping treatment.
Other warnings
- If whilst taking Citalopram you develop symptoms signs such as restlessness, confusion, trembling, excitation, fever, shivering,
hallucinations, muscle cramps, rapid heart beat, tell your doctor at once.
These may be a first sign of a condition called serotonin syndrome. He/she will stop your treatment with Citalopram
immediately.
- If you start feeling restless and are no longer able to stand or sit still, please inform your doctor, since you may be suffering
from a side-affect called akathisia.
- At the start of treatment, sleeplessness and intense excitation can occur. Patients with panic disorder may experience
intensified anxiety symptoms in the first 2 weeks of treatment. In both cases, the doctor may adjust the dose accordingly.
- After discontinuation of therapy withdrawal symptoms may appear: dizziness, sleep disturbance, agitation, anxiety, nausea
and/or vomiting, tremor of headache are the most common symptoms.
They usually occur within the first few days, and last for about 14 days. It is advised to gradually stop treatment by lowering the dose
over a period of
several weeks. Please consult your doctor before discontinuing treatment.
Taking other medicines
Do not take Citalopram if you take medicines for heart rhythm problems or medicines that may affect the heart’s rhythm, e.g. such
as Class IA and
III antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics (e.g. fentiazine derviatives, pimozide, haloperidol), tricyclic antidepressants , certain antimicrobial
agents (e.g. sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin, erythromycin IV, pentamidine, anti-malarian treatment particularly halofantrine), certain
antihistamines (astemizole, mizolastine). If you have any further questions about this you should speak to your doctor.
The following medicinal products must not be used together with Citalopram Tablets:
- MAO-inhibitors (medicinal products against depression or Parkinson’s disease). This applies both to irreversible MAO-inhibitors
like phenelzine and to reversible MAO-inhibitors like moclobemide.
The MAO-inhibitor called selegiline may be used in combination with citalopram, but only at doses of less than 10 mg per day.
- If you have recently taken MAO-inhibitors.
Depending on the type of MAO-inhibitor you used to use, you may have to wait for up to 14 days after stopping the MAO-inhibitor before
starting with Citalopram. If you stop taking Citalopram and want to start using MAO-inhibitors, you have to wait for at least 7 days.
Please ask your doctor for advice.
- Linezolid. Citalopram and linezolid may only be used together if you are under close medical supervision and monitored on blood
pressure.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained
without prescription, especially:
- sumatriptan or other triptans (to treat migraine), oxitryptan or tryptophan (substances that may influence the level of serotonin
in the brain)
- other medicines for depression: tricyclic antidepressants, other serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or medicines containing
lithium.
- tramadol (to treat severe pain).
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) as the above medicines may lead to ‘serotonin syndrome’ (see ‘Other warnings’).
- desipramine (to treat depression) as the blood level of desipramine may be increased and a reduced dose may be needed.
- blood-thinning medicines (warfarin), other oral anticoagulants or medicines influencing blood clotting (e.g. non-steroidal
antirheumatics,
acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), NSAID’s, dipyridamole and ticlopidine) as use with citalopram may lead to increased/prolonged
bleeding
- cimetidine (to reduce gastric acid)
- medicines to treat stomach ulcers (e.g. omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole)
- fluvoxamine (to treat depression)
- neuroleptics (to treat schizophrenia) as use with Citalopram can cause seizures.
- metoprolol (for high blood pressure or heart failure) as an increase in the blood level of metoprolol has been
reported.
- heart rhythm medicines or medicines which reduce blood levels of potassium or magnesium because citalopram also has this
effect.
- antipsychotic medicines (e. g. phenothiazines, butyrophenones)
Taking Citalopram Tablets with food and drink
You are advised not to drink alcohol with this medicine. The film-coated tablets may be taken with or without food.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Citalopram has been shown to reduce the quality of sperm in animal studies. Theoretically, this could affect fertility, but impact on
human fertility has not been observed as yet.
Data suggest that the use of Citalopram during pregnancy does not lead to problems with the foetus. Therefore, Citalopram may be used if
you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant taking into account the following issues.
If you are taking Citalopram during pregnancy, you should not stop treatment with Citalopram abruptly.
Make sure your midwife and/or doctor know you are on Citalopram. When taken during pregnancy, particularly in the last 3 months of
pregnancy, medicines like Citalopram may increase the risk of a serious condition in babies, called persistent pulmonary hypertension of
the newborn (PPHN), making the baby breathe faster and appear bluish. These symptoms usually begin during the first 24 hours after the baby
is born. If this happens to your baby you should contact your midwife and/or doctor immediately.
Citalopram passes into breast milk in small amounts.
There is a risk of an effect on the baby. If you are taking Citalopram, talk to your doctor before you start breastfeeding.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Citalopram Tablets may affect your ability to make judgements and to react to emergencies. Make sure you are not affected in this way
before you drive or operate machinery. If you are affected in any way, you should NOT drive or operate machinery.
3 How to take Citalopram Tablets
Always take Citalopram Tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not
sure.
Swallow the tablets with liquid once daily in the morning or in the evening. The tablets may be taken with or without food.
Citalopram 20mg tablets and Citalopram 40mg tablets can be divided into equal halves.
Adults
The usual dose is 20mg per day. This may be increased by your doctor to a maximum of 40mg per day.
Elderly patients (above 65 years of age)
The starting dose should be decreased to half of the recommended dose, e.g. 10-20mg per day.
Elderly patients should not usually receive more than 20mg per day.
Children and adolescents under the age of 18 years
Citalopram should normally not be used (see ’Use in children and adolescents under 18 years’)
Kidney Disease
If you suffer from a mild to moderate decrease in kidney function, you can use the normal dose for adults. If you suffer from severe
kidney problems, use of citalopram is not recommended, as no information is available on use in these patients.
Liver Disease
A starting dose of 10mg daily for the first two weeks is recommended in patients with mild to moderate liver disease. Patients with
liver complaints should not receive more than 20mg per day.
If you suffer from severe liver disease, your doctor will be extra careful with increasing the dose.
Your doctor will check your liver function whilst taking citalopram.
How long should you take Citalopram Tablets
Your doctor will decide on the duration of treatment. An improvement in depressive symptoms can take at least 2 weeks after starting of
treatment.
Treatment should be continued for at least 4-6 months. If you don’t start to feel better after a couple of weeks, go back to your doctor
who will advise you.
If you forget to take Citalopram Tablets
If you forget to take a dose, take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you take more Citalopram Tablets than you should
If you have taken to much, contact a doctor immediately. Signs of possible overdose include nausea, vomiting, sweating, sleepiness,
coma,
seizures, faster pulse rate, disturbances of muscle tone, rapid breathing (hyperventilation), increased body temperature and rare changes
in the activity of the heart muscle (ECG alterations).
If you stop taking Citalopram
Do not stop taking Citalopram Tablets until your doctor tells you to, even if you feel better.
Stopping treatment (particularly suddenly) commonly leads to withdrawal symptoms such as feeling dizzy, sensory disturbances (numbness
or ‘pins and needles’), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), feeling agitated or anxious, nausea and/ or vomiting,
shakiness of the arms and legs (tremor), confusion, sweating, headache, diarrhoea, fluttering or pounding heartbeat (palpitations),
emotional instability, irritability, and visual disturbances.
To reduce the possibility of withdrawal effects, your doctor will help you to reduce your dose slowly over a number of weeks or
months.
Most people find that any withdrawal symptoms are mild and go away on their own within two weeks. For some people, these symptoms may be
more severe, or
go on for longer. If you get severe withdrawal effects when you stop taking Citalopram, please see your doctor. He or she may ask you to
start taking your
tablets again and come off them more slowly. If you do get withdrawal effects, you will still be able to stop Citalopram.
Please see your doctor if you are worried about withdrawal effects when stopping Citalopram.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4 Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Citalopram can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you experience one of the following side effects you should stop taking Citalopram and seek immediate medical advice:
- thoughts of suicide and suicidal behaviour
-
disorders of movement (extrapyramidal symptoms) such as involuntary movements, shaking, muscle rigidity and
contractions
-
restlessness and inability to stand or sit still (akathisia)
-
severe allergic reactions (swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty in swallowing or breathing or skin
rash)
-
swelling of skin and mucous membranes due to fluid retention and angioedema
-
fast irregular heart beat, fainting which could be symptoms of a life-threatening condition known as Torsades de
Pointes
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects or notice any other effects not listed:
Very common (more than 1 in 10 treated patients):
- Feeling sick (nausea), dry mouth
- Increased sweating
- Sleepiness, difficulty sleeping
Common (less than 1 in 10, but more than 1 in 100 treated patients):
- Tremor, dizziness
- Decreased appetite, decreased weight, weight loss (anorexia)
- Agitation, anxiety, nervousness, confusion
- Decreased sex drive (libido)
- Sensation of tingling, pricking or numbness in skin (paraesthesia)
- Problems with concentration
- Ringing in ears (tinnitus)
- Diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, indigestion (dyspepsia), stomach pain, wind (flatulence), increased saliva
- Muscle pain (myalgia), joint pain (arthralgia)
- Itching (pruritus)
- Tiredness, yawning
- Inability in women to achieve orgasm, menstrual pain, impotence, ejaculation failure
- Abnormal dreaming, memory loss (amnesia), absence of emotion or enthusiasm
Uncommon (less than 1 in 100, but more than 1 in 1,000 treated patients):
- Slow heart beat
- Fast heart beat
- Increased appetite, increased weight
- Aggression, feeling detached from yourself (depersonalisation), hallucinations, mania (feeling highly excited, being over-active
and easily irritated or distracted), euphoria (a state of optimism, cheerfulness and well-being), increased sex drive (libido)
- Fainting (syncope)
- Dilated pupils (mydriasis)
- Hives (urticaria)
- Rash
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Redness or red spots on the skin (purpura)
- Photosensitivity (skin rash caused by exposure to sunlight)
- Problems passing urine (urinary retention)
- Heavy menstrual period (menorrhagia)
- Oedema (generalised swelling)
Rare (less than 1 in 1,000, but more than 1 in 10,000 treated patients):
- Bleeding (e.g. vaginal, gastrointestinal, skin and soft tissue bleeding)
- A major fit (‘grand mal convulsion’), involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
- Taste abnormalities
- Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- Fever (pyrexia)
- Lower amount of blood sodium levels (hyponatraemia)
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- Reduced number of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- Abnormality of the rhythm or rate of the heart beat (arrhythmia)
- Allergy (hypersensitivity)
- Condition known as SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone) predominantly in the elderly
- Low levels of potassium in the blood
- Panic attacks, teeth grinding (bruxism), restlessness
- Fits (convulsions)
- Serotonin syndrome (symptoms such as high fever, trembling, muscle twitches and anxiety)
- Movement disorder
- Vision disturbance
- Heart condition called QT-prolongation (irregular heartbeat recognisable on ECG)
- Dizziness when standing up fast caused by low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)
- Nosebleed
- Blood in the stools (gastrointestinal or rectal haemorrhage)
- Abnormal liver function test
- Bruising (ecchymosis)
- Abnormal milk secretion from the breasts in men (galactorrhoea)
- Painful prolonged erection (priapism)
- Irregular menstrual bleeding (metrorrhagia)
Withdrawal symptoms may occur when treatment is stopped (see “If you stop taking“).
An increased risk of bone fractures has been observed in patients taking this type of medicines.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or
pharmacist.
5 How to store Citalopram Tablets
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use after the expiry date which is stated on the carton/tablet container and the blister after EXP.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer
required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
