What is Citalopram: Dosage, Benefits, Side Effects, and How To Use It – Do You know a depressed and stressed sufferer because of problems that plagued them? Or even you yourself do not escape the stress caused by the problems faced? Perhaps you are always thinking of taking stress relievers to make the mind go back to health and get back smoothly to do various activities. If you go to the doctor, you will be given antidepressant medication, one of which is the Citalopram drug. Have you figured out what is Citalopram drug?
What is citalopram for?
Citalopram is a medicine for treating depression. These drugs include a group of SSRI antidepressant drugs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) that function to restore the serotonin balance in the brain thereby increasing your energy and feeling.
Citalopram is a medication that is only prescribed by a physician.
How to use Citalopram?
Please read the medicine Guide and the Patient Information brochure provided by the pharmacy, if any, before you get this medication and each time you repurchase. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This drug should be drunk by mouth, usually three times a day, with or without food. If your stomach is easy to ache, you should eat first before taking the medication.
After knowing the what is Citalopram drugs, you should know the function of Citalopram and the benefits of Citalopram. Knowing the benefits of Citalopram or its function will prevent the occurrence of misuse of antidepressant drugs.
Citalopram Dosage
Patients must take citalopram according to the dosage and time the doctor prescribes. The doctor may increase or decrease the dose if you need to obtain the best benefits.
The commonly recommended dose of citalopram is as follows:
- Initial dose: 20 mg taken once a day.
- Advanced doses: 20 to 40 mg per day. The dose can be increased up to 20 mg, but not for more than one week and not exceeding 40 mg per day.
- Elderly dose: 20 mg per day.
Drug consumption, according to the prescribed dose and time, do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting a doctor. If the patient forgets to take the medication at the specified time, ignore the missed dose. Do not double the dosage on the next drinking schedule.
The functions and benefits of Citalopram
The function of Citalopram is to normalize the substance to the nervous system of the body, such as serotonin. The benefits of Citalopram are in addition to overcoming depression, can be used also for patients with obsessive Compulsive syndrome and panic syndrome. You need to remember as well, use antidepressant medications wisely. The Citalopram drug should be taken according to the recommendation that the doctor gave so as not to occur serious side effects due to consuming too much antidepressants.
Important Information.
You should not use citalopram if you are allergic to Citalopram, or if you are also using Pimozide.
Do not use citalopram if you have used MAO inhibitors in the last 14 days. Dangerous drug interactions can occur. MAO inhibitor drugs include Furazolidon, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, and Tranylcypromine.
Before taking citalopram, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, a personal or family history with Long QT syndrome, or an electrolyte imbalance (such as potassium or magnesium levels in your blood is low).
Tell your doctor about all the other medications you are using. There are many other medications that can increase the risk of heart rhythm problems if you use it concurrently with citalopram.
Citalopram Side Effects
There may be nausea, dry mouth, loss of appetite, fatigue, drowsiness, sweating, blurred vision, and yawning. If one of these effects persists or worsens, immediately contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Read also: Causes of excessive night sweats.
Remember that doctors prescribe this medication because it assesses that its benefits to you greater than the risk of side effects. Many people who use this drug do not have any serious side effects.
