Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Celexa
- Antidepressants, SSRIs
Description
Oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant
Indicated in adults for the treatment of depression; no approved uses in pediatric patients
Known risk of QT prolongation; increased risk of suicidality during the initial stages of treatment in pediatric and young adult patients
Indications
Depression in patients whose diagnosis corresponds most closely to the DSM-III and DSM-III-R category of major depressive disorder
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Coadministration with pimozide
Adverse Effects
- Dry mouth (20%)
- Nausea (21%)
- Somnolence (18%)
- Insomnia (15%)
- Xerostomia (20%)
- Increased sweating (11%)
- Tremor (8%)
- Diarrhea (8%)
- Ejaculation disorder (6%)
- Rhinitis (5%)
- Upper respiratory infection (5%)
- Dyspepsia (5%)
- Fatigue (5%)
- Vomiting (4%)
- Anxiety (4%)
- Anorexia (4%)
- Abdominal pain (3%)
- Agitation (3%)
- Impotence (3%)
- Sinusitis (3%)
- Dysmenorrhea (3%)
- Decreased libido (2%)
- Yawning (2%)
- Arthralgia (2%)
- Myalgia (2%)
- Amenorrhea (>1%)
- Confusion (>1%)
- Cough (>1%)
- Flatulence (>1%)
- Increased saliva (>1%)
- Migraine (>1%)
- Orthostatic hypotension (>1%)
- Paresthesia (>1%)
- Polyuria (>1%)
- Pruritus (>1%)
- Rash (>1%)
- Tachycardia (>1%)
- Weight change (>1%)
Warnings
Pregnancy: Conflicting evidence regarding use of SSRIs during pregnancy and increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, or PPHN (see Pregnancy)
Neonates exposed to SNRIs/SSRIs late in third trimester: Risk of complications such as feeding difficulties, irritability, and respiratory problems
Clinical worsening and suicide ideation may occur despite medication in adolescents and young adults (18-24 years)
Risk of mydriasis; may trigger angle closure attack in patients with angle closure glaucoma with anatomically narrow angles without a patent iridectomy
Risk of hyponatremia, abnormal bleeding (increased if concomitant aspirin, NSAIDs, or anticoagulants, or hemorrhagic diathesis), and impairment of cognitive and motor functions
Risk of serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)-like reactions have been reported with SSRIs alone or with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs, with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin, or with antipsychotics or other dopamine antagonists
Activation of mania/hypomania has been reported; use caution when treating patients with history of mania
Increased risk of bone fractures reported with antidepressant use; use caution; consider possibility of fracture it patient presents with bone pain
May cause or exacerbate sexual dysfunction
Use caution when treating patients with history of seizure disorder
Rare cases of hyponatremia and development of SIADH reported with either SSRI or SNRI use
Consider risk of serotonin syndrome if administered concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort
Not recommended in patients with uncompensated heart failure
Pregnancy and Lactation
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy
There are reports of breastfed infants exposed to this drug experiencing irritability, restlessness, excessive somnolence, decreased feeding, and weight loss
Maximum Dosage
60 years and younger: 40 mg/day PO in the general population and 20 mg/day PO in poor metabolizers of CYP2C19.
Older than 60 years: 20 mg/day PO.
20 mg/day PO.
Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses up to 40 mg/day PO have been used off-label for depression and anxiety disorders. Do not exceed 20 mg/day PO in poor metabolizers of CYP2C19.
6 to 12 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses up to 40 mg/day PO have been used off-label for depression and anxiety disorders. Do not exceed 20 mg/day PO in poor metabolizers of CYP2C19.
1 to 5 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Citalopram hydrobromide
tablet
- 10mg
- 20mg
- 40mg
oral solution
- 10mg/5mL