Side Effects of Citralopram

Citalopram (brand name Celexa) is a commonly prescribed antidepressant. This medication works to correct chemical imbalances that cause depression or other mental diseases. As with any medication, certain side effects may be experienced. While many are normal, some are serious. If you should experience a serious side effect, consult with your doctor.

Uses

• Citalopram belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Citalopram evens out out the chemicals within the brain that can become unbalanced and create depression. It is also prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder and anxiety.

Contraindications and MAOIs

• Because citalopram affects mood and behavior, notify your doctor immediately if you have any abnormal urges or feelings, such as unwarranted anxiety, panic attacks, being easily agitated, thoughts of suicide or hyperactive behavior. Family and friends should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will check you regularly for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
  If you have been on a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or MAOI, within the past two weeks, tell your doctor before starting citalopram. MAOIs are medicines that treat depression in a way that differs from SSRIs. Mixing the two types of medications together can result in death.

Special Conditions

• If you have history of liver disease, kidney dysfunction, drug addiction, bipolar disorder or epileptic seizures, or if you are allergic to any medications, tell your doctor before starting citalopram.
  Citalopram can cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. But if you become pregnant while taking citalopram, or if you plan to become pregnant, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.
  Because citalopram can pass into breast milk, do not use it without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Side Effects

• Common, not-serious side effects of citalopram include drowsiness or insomnia, mild nausea, increased urination, problems achieving orgasm or sexual arousal, stuffy nose or dry mouth.
  More serious side effects, which should be reported to your doctor immediately, include stiff muscles, tremors, fast heartbeat, dizziness, loss of concentration, extreme headache, fainting, breathing problems or diarrhea.

NSAIDS

• Check with your doctor before taking prescription or non-prescription pain relievers such as Advil or Aleve, or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

Allergic Reactions

• Symptoms of citalopram allergy include skin rash and difficulty breathing. If the whites of your eyes or skin should start to show a yellow pigmentation, your liver may not be properly removing citalopram from your system. Consult your physician immediately.