Antidepressant drugs have gained special importance. Especially since cases of depression and anxiety have skyrocketed in recent years due to different factors, both social and individual.
One of these drugs is citalopram, an antidepressant that increases serotonin levels and releases a large amount of pain relievers in the person. Below we talk about its uses, side effects and what precautions those who are going to start treatment should take into account.
Citalopram is an antidepressant drug that has been produced since 1989 This drug, popularly known as Celexa, falls within the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) category of antidepressants.
This type of drug increases the amount of serotonin by preventing it from being reuptaken. The main function of serotonin is to maintain harmony, balance and emotional well-being, which is essential when intervening in emotional disorders such as depressive disorders or conditions with anxious symptoms.
Furthermore, compared to other types of antidepressants, citalopram releases large amounts of analgesic substances with an effect as strong as that of morphine. This has earned it fame as a very effective antidepressant.
For what disorders is it effective?
Like many other antidepressants, citalopram is administered in many cases in which the person needs to achieve emotional stability. Specifically the list of disorders and diseases in which citalopram has proven to be of great help They are the following.
There are quite a few emotional conditions that include symptoms of depression in addition to the illness of depression itself.
These symptoms include the feeling of irritability, sadness, sadness and crying Anhedonia or inability to enjoy those things that were previously satisfying. In addition, the feeling of constant fatigue or alterations in eating and sleeping patterns are also symptoms of this type of disorder.
2. Social anxiety disorder
More popular under the name social phobia, this type of disorder is distinguished because the person experiences a deep sense of fear and anxiety in one or more social situations in which you must interact with other people.
3. Panic disorder
Another type of anxiety disorder in which the administration of citalopram is recommended is panic disorder. In it the patient experiences feelings of fear and panic imminent without there being a real stimulus that causes them.
4. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Another disorder with anxious symptoms is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In it, the patient presents a series of intrusive thoughts that appear continuously and repeatedly and that cause feelings of worry and anxiety, and repetitive behaviors with the aim of calming these sensations.
5. Huntington’s disease
This disease, also known as Huntington’s Korea is a hereditary and neurodegenerative condition in which the person presents motor symptoms such as uncontrolled movements, clumsiness and altered balance.
6. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
In premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), women experience symptoms associated with severe depression, irritability, anxiety, and nervousness before menstruation. These symptoms are very similar to those of premenstrual syndrome but much more intense.
The use of this medicine It should always be indicated by medical personnel, and it is essential to follow its instructions to the letter. A daily dose of 20 mg is usually recommended, which should be taken, if possible, either in the morning or at night. However, depending on the patient’s symptoms and the effects that the drug has on them, it is possible that this dose increases to 60 mg per day.
Whatever the state or conditions of the patient, In no case may he alter the recommended dose at his own discretion That is, you cannot increase or decrease the dose, nor can you take it more frequently than indicated.
The first effects of citalopram on mood appear between 3 and 4 weeks after starting its consumption, so the patient should not stop taking it despite not feeling the effects immediately.
What are the side effects?
Citalopram carries a series of unwanted side effects that can cause a series of discomforts in the person.
These effects can be divided into non-serious side effects and serious side effects. In the event that the patient experiences any of the non-serious side effects repeatedly, it is recommended that they inform their doctor to adjust the dose of citalopram.
While if you experience any of the symptoms included in the list of serious side effects it is vitally important that you contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Non-serious side effects
Among the most serious side effects, the following stand out.
Serious side effects
The most serious side effects associated with this drug are the following.
Fever
Feeling of suffocation.
Fainting.
Chest pain.
Alterations in heart rhythm.
hallucinations
Vertigo.
Hyperhidrosis or profuse sweating.
Feeling of confusion.
Eat.
Coordination problems
Muscle numbness or muscle contractions.
Skin changes such as hives, blisters, rashes and itching
Swallowing problems.
Swelling in the faces, throat, ankles and legs.
Hoarseness.
Recurrent headaches
Bleeding or bruising for no apparent reason.
Lack of concentration and feeling of instability.
Seizures.
What precautions should those who consume it take?
Those people who must start treatment with citalopram You should tell your doctor about your allergies, other medical conditions, or any special health condition in which the patient is found.
In addition, due to the effects and interferences that may occur, you must also inform about any medication, vitamin supplement or natural compound that the patient is consuming during treatment.
As for alcohol consumption, it can aggravate the side effects of citalopram, so it is advisable not to consume any type of alcoholic beverage during treatment.
Like other drugs in this category, citalopram usually causes drowsiness so patients should avoid or take special precautions when driving or operating heavy machinery.
Finally, it has been shown that citalopram can cause negative effects in newborns if it is administered during the last months of pregnancy. Therefore, the patient must inform if she is pregnant or if she intends to become pregnant, since the doctor must assess which medication is best for both the health of the mother and the baby.
