Teva Citalopram 20mg Tablets: Strong Depression & Anxiety Treatment UK Guide
Teva Citalopram 20 mg Tablets contain 20 mg of citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. Citalopram is used to treat major depressive episodes and panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. It is a prescription-only medication in the UK.
Citalopram works primarily by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, increasing serotonin availability within the central nervous system. The appropriate dose depends on the condition being treated, individual response, age, medical history and other medications being taken. Treatment should be taken consistently as prescribed and reviewed by a healthcare professional when necessary.
What Is Citalopram 20 mg Used For?
Citalopram is an SSRI antidepressant used for the following licensed indications:
- Major Depressive Episodes: Used to treat depressive illness and help manage persistent symptoms associated with major depression. Citalopram may also be continued as maintenance treatment to help reduce the risk of relapse or recurrence.
- Panic Disorder: Used to treat panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, under appropriate medical supervision.
- Depression-Related Symptoms: Regular treatment can help reduce symptoms such as persistent low mood, loss of interest and other difficulties associated with depressive illness.
- Panic-Related Symptoms: Continued treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of panic symptoms over time.
How Does Citalopram Work?
Citalopram is an SSRI antidepressant that selectively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin in the brain. This increases the availability of serotonin within the central nervous system and contributes to its antidepressant and anti-panic effects. Citalopram does not usually provide immediate relief. Improvement may take several weeks to become noticeable, so it should be taken regularly according to the prescribed treatment schedule.
How to Take Citalopram 20 mg Tablets
- Follow Your Prescription: Take citalopram exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Do not change the dose without medical advice.
- Once-Daily Treatment: Citalopram is generally taken as a single dose once a day, either in the morning or evening.
- Administration: Swallow the tablet with water. Citalopram can be taken with or without food.
- Depression: The usual adult dose for major depressive episodes is 20 mg once daily. Depending on individual response, the dose may be increased when clinically appropriate, subject to the applicable maximum dose.
- Panic Disorder: Treatment generally starts at 10 mg once daily for the first week before increasing to 20 mg once daily. The dose may subsequently be adjusted according to individual response.
- 20 mg Strength: The 20 mg tablet corresponds to the usual adult dose for major depressive episodes and the dose reached after the initial treatment period for panic disorder. It should only be taken at the dose prescribed by your healthcare professional.
- Treatment Response: An antidepressant effect may take at least two weeks to become apparent, although some improvement can occur earlier. Panic disorder may require several weeks of treatment before the full therapeutic response develops.
- Treatment Duration: For depression, treatment is generally continued for a sufficient period after symptoms improve to reduce the risk of relapse. Your prescriber will determine the appropriate duration.
- Missed Dose: If you forget a dose, take it when you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose. If the next dose is due soon, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses together.
Citalopram 20 mg Side Effects
Like all medications, citalopram can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Commonly reported effects can include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Palpitations
- Sexual problems
- Increased sweating
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- Diarrhoea or constipation
Many common side effects become less noticeable as the body adjusts to treatment. However, persistent, severe or troublesome symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Serious reactions can include severe allergic reactions, serotonin syndrome, abnormal heart rhythms, significant bleeding and suicidal thoughts. Seek urgent medical attention if serious or rapidly worsening symptoms occur.
Important Warnings and Precautions
Citalopram is not suitable for everyone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history and all medications you are taking before starting treatment.
- Heart Rhythm: Citalopram can cause dose-dependent QT interval prolongation and may not be suitable for people with certain heart conditions or rhythm abnormalities. It is contraindicated in people with known acquired QT prolongation or congenital long QT syndrome and with certain medications that also prolong the QT interval.
- MAOIs: Citalopram must not be taken with certain monoamine oxidase inhibitors because serious interactions can occur. Appropriate treatment intervals are required when switching between citalopram and particular MAOIs.
- Other Medications: Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements you take. Important interactions can occur with some antidepressants, anticoagulants, NSAIDs, migraine medications and other treatments.
- St John’s Wort: Do not take St John’s wort preparations with citalopram because of the risk of interactions and increased adverse effects.
- Mental Health Symptoms: Significant changes in mood or behaviour, particularly after starting treatment or changing the dose, should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Thoughts of self-harm or suicide require urgent medical attention.
- Other Conditions: Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy, liver or kidney problems, diabetes, glaucoma, a bleeding disorder, a history of mania or any heart condition before starting treatment.
- Liver Problems: People with reduced liver function may require a lower dose and careful dose adjustment.
- Driving and Alertness: Citalopram may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. Do not drive, cycle or operate machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
- Alcohol: It is generally best to avoid alcohol while taking citalopram because it can increase the risk of side effects.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding so that the benefits and potential risks of treatment can be assessed.
Stopping Citalopram Treatment
Do not stop taking citalopram suddenly without medical advice. Abrupt discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, sensory disturbances, sleep problems, anxiety, nausea, sweating, headache and other physical or psychological symptoms. When treatment needs to be stopped, your doctor will generally reduce the dose gradually. UK product information recommends reducing the dose over at least one to two weeks, although a slower reduction may be appropriate depending on the individual and the symptoms experienced during withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Citalopram 20 mg make you sleepy?
Citalopram can cause sleepiness or drowsiness in some people, although others may experience difficulty sleeping. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
How long does Citalopram 20 mg take to work?
Citalopram does not usually produce its full effect immediately. An antidepressant effect may take at least two weeks to become apparent, while the full response can take longer. Panic disorder may also require several weeks of regular treatment before maximum benefit is achieved.
What happens if I miss a dose of Citalopram 20 mg?
If you forget a dose, take it when you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose. If the next dose is due soon, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
Can I stop taking Citalopram 20 mg suddenly?
No. Citalopram should generally be reduced gradually under medical supervision because stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor can advise you on an appropriate dose-reduction schedule.
How much Citalopram 20 mg should I take?
The appropriate dose depends on the condition being treated and individual factors. The usual adult dose for major depressive episodes is 20 mg once daily. For panic disorder, treatment generally starts at 10 mg once daily for the first week before increasing to 20 mg daily. Dose adjustments should only be made by your healthcare professional.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Citalopram 20 mg?
It is generally best to avoid alcohol while taking citalopram because alcohol can increase the risk of side effects and may make you feel more drowsy or unwell.
