Citalopram is sold under the brand name "Celexa".
Citalopram was the first serotonin reuptake inhibitor available to world markets (it came rather late to the US, however). It is FDA approved for Major Depression, but it is likely effective for OCD, Panic Disorder, Social Phobia, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. It has been generic for several years now.
Citalopram, like its cousins, fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil) and fluvoxamine (Luvox), reversibly blocks the recycling of serotonin from outside the nerve to inside the nerve. This increase in serotonin in the gap between nerves in the central nervous system (the synapse) leads to alterations in serotonin function that have been associated with improvements in depression and anxiety disorders. Each of these serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs for short) has its own personality or profile. Citalopram is not activating like fluoxetine and generally does not cause patients to feel lethargic or “numb” like paroxetine and fluoxetine. It's a good “middle of the road” kind of SSRI.
Citalopram is processed for elimination from the body (“metabolized”) in the liver to very weakly active compounds that are also eliminated by the liver. The half life of citalopram is about one day and consequently if stopped abruptly (not recommended) it is out of the body in about 5 days.
Citalopram in combination with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor can cause serotonin syndrome that can be fatal.
Possible adverse effects can include nausea, insomnia, agitation, diarrhea, difficulty thinking and others. Sometimes, in common with other SSRIs, it may leave a person feeling a bit numb emotionally rather than really well and “perky”.
Citalopram has very limited effects on liver enzyme symptoms and consequently does not significantly affect the elimination of other medications.
Citalopram has been associated, along with the other SSRIs, with neonatal pulmonary hypertension in neonates exposed to citalopram in the final trimester of pregnancy.
All antidepressants have a warning from the FDA against new onset suicidal “thoughts and behaviors”. There is no evidence children taking antidepressants are suiciding; quite otherwise, there is very good evidence that children treated for depression suicide less often than children who are depressed who are not treated with antidepressants.
If you miss a dose of citalopram it is not recommended to “make up the dose” by adding it to the next dose. You should take the citalopram regularly as prescribed.
