Citalopram — uses, dosing, side effects & the brands that sell it · pharmaranks
Citalopram: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Citalopram is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for alcoholism, dementia and depressive disorder. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
By the pharmaranks editorial team·Reviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sources·How we research
From the FDA label for Celexa (application NDA021046). Other citalopram products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Administer once daily with or without food ( 2 ) . Initial dosage is 20 mg once daily; after one week may increase to maximum dosage of 40 mg once daily ( 2.1 ). Patients greater than 60 years of age, patients with hepatic impairment, and CYP2C19 poor metabolizers: maximum recommended dosage is 20 mg once daily ( 2.2 ). When discontinuing CELEXA, reduce dosage gradually ( 2.4 , 5.6 ). 2.1 Recommended Dosage Administer CELEXA once daily, with or without food, at an initial dosage of 20 mg once daily, with an increase to a maximum dosage of 40 mg once daily at an interval of no less than one week. Dosages above 40 mg once daily are not recommended due to the risk of QT prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ] . 2.2 Screen for Bipolar Disorder Prior to Starting CELEXA Prior to initiating treatment with CELEXA or another antidepressant, screen patients for a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania [See Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . 2. 3 Recommended Dosage for Speci fic Populations The maximum recommended dosage of CELEXA for patients who are greater than 60 years of age, patients with hepatic impairment, and for CYP2C19 poor metabolizers is 20 mg once daily [ s ee Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) , Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] . 2.4 Dosage Modification s with Concomitant Use of CYP2C19 Inhibitors The maximum recommended dosage of…
Citalopram side effects
The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Hypersensitivity reactions [see Contraindications ( 4 )] Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents and young adults [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] QT-prolongation and torsade de pointes [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Increased risk of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Activation of mania or hypomania [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Discontinuation syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Angle-closure glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Hyponatremia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Sexual Dysfunction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Most common adverse reaction (incidence ≥ 5% and twice placebo) is ejaculation disorder (primarily ejaculation delay) ( 6.1 ) . To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AbbVie at 1-800-678-1605 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The safety for CELEXA…
Every citalopram product we track (2)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
Citalopram pill imprints
Imprint
Strength
Colour
Shape
Maker
F;5;6
20 mg
white
oval
—
11;36;10
10 mg
white
round
—
4;0;1011
40 mg
brown
oval
—
A;0;6
20 mg
pink
capsule
—
IG;207
20 mg
pink
round
—
IG;208
40 mg
white
How long citalopram stays in your system
The elimination half-life of citalopram is about 35 hours. The half-life runs longer in some people — roughly 30-50% longer in older adults and about doubled with reduced liver function; citalopram's metabolites are at least 8 times less potent and are not a longer-acting concern.
Half-life is how long the body takes to clear half a dose. It is not the same as how long a drug test can detect it, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Frequently asked questions
What is citalopram?
CELEXA contains citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Citalopram hydrobromide is a racemic bicyclic phthalane structure and is designated (±)-1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-5-carbonitrile hydrobromide with the following structural formula: The molecular formula is C 20 H 22 BrFN 2 O and its molecular weight is 405.35. Citalopram hydrobromide occurs as a fine, white to off-white powder. Citalopram hydrobromide is sparingly soluble in water and soluble in ethanol. CELEXA tablets are for oral administration and are available as film-coated oval tablets. The strengths reflect citalopram base equivalent content. The 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg strength tablets contain 12.49 mg, 24.98 mg, and 49.96 mg of citalopram hydrobromide, respectively. The 20 mg and 40 mg tablets are scored. I nactive ingredients: copolyvidone, corn starch, crosscarmellose sodium, glycerin, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide. Iron oxides are used as coloring agents in the beige (10 mg) and pink (20 mg) tablets. the following structural formula:Celexa contains citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Citalopram hydrobromide is a racemic bicyclic phthalane structure and is designated…
What kind of drug is citalopram?
The FDA classifies citalopram as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) block the transporter that pulls serotonin back into nerve cells, so more of this mood-related chemical stays in the gaps between neurons to keep signaling. They act mainly on serotonin, which tends to mean fewer side effects than older antidepressants. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
How long does citalopram stay in your system?
The elimination half-life of citalopram is about 35 hours — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. The half-life runs longer in some people — roughly 30-50% longer in older adults and about doubled with reduced liver function; citalopram's metabolites are at least 8 times less potent and are not a longer-acting concern. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Who shouldn’t take citalopram
CELEXA is contraindicated in patients: taking, or within 14 days of stopping, MAOIs (including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue) because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Drug Interactions ( 7 )] . taking pimozide because of risk of QT prolongation [ see Drug Interactions ( 7 )] . with known hypersensitivity to citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients in CELEXA. Reactions have included angioedema and anaphylaxis [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ) ]. Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or use within 14 days of discontinuing a MAOI ( 4 ). Concomitant use of pimozide ( 4 ) . Known hypersensitivity to citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients of CELEXA ( 4 ).
Citalopram drug interactions
Table 5 presents clinically important drug interactions with CELEXA. Table 5: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with CELEXA Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact Concomitant use of SSRIs, including CELEXA, and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention CELEXA is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ), Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Pimozide Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of CELEXA with pimozide increases plasma concentrations of pimozide, a drug with a narrow therapeutic index, and may increase the risk of QT prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias compared to use of CELEXA alone [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )]. Intervention: CELEXA is contraindicated in patients taking pimozide [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. Drugs that Prolong the QTc Interval Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of CELEXA with drugs that prolong QT can cause additional QT prolongation compared to the use of CELEXA alone [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )]. Intervention: Avoid concomitant use of CELEXA with drugs that prolong the QT interval (CELEXA is contraindicated in patients taking pimozide) [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. CYP2C19 Inhibitors Clinical Impact:…
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run citalopram against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is citalopram sold under?
We track 2 citalopram-containing products in the U.S.: Celexa and Citalopram Hydrobromide. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does citalopram come in?
Across the brands we track, citalopram is currently marketed as tablet and solution, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic citalopram?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic citalopram product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.