Seropram

citalopram

Seropram (citalopram) is an antidepressant drug used to treat depression associated with mood disorders. It is also used on occasion in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder and anxiety. Seropram belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is primarily used to treat the symptoms of depression but can also be prescribed for social anxiety disorder, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Also prescribed in Huntington's disease.

What is Seropram?

Citalopram, the substance in Seropram, is an antidepressant medication that affects neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves within the brain use to communicate with each other. Neurotransmitters are manufactured and released by nerves and then travel and attach to nearby nerves. Thus, neurotransmitters can be thought of as the communication system of the brain. Many experts believe that an imbalance among neurotransmitters is the cause of depression. Citalopram works by preventing the uptake of one neurotransmitter, serotonin, by nerve cells after it has been released. Since uptake is an important mechanism for removing released neurotransmitters and terminating their actions on adjacent nerves, the reduced uptake caused by Citalopram results in more free serotonin in the brain to stimulate nerve cells.

Before taking Seropram

Talk with your physician or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) should not be taken within 2 weeks of stopping MAOIs, or with some other medicines or with alcohol which may reduce their effectiveness and increase their toxicity. It is recommended that citalopram should not be used in combination with a MAOI or within 14 days of discontinuing treatment with a MAOI. Similarly, at least 14 days should elapse after discontinuing citalopram treatment before starting a MAOI.

How should I take Seropram?

It may take 1 to 4 weeks before you feel the full benefit of citalopram. Continue to take citalopram even if you feel well. If you suddenly stop taking citalopram, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood changes, irritability, agitation, dizziness, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, anxiety, confusion, headache, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Do not stop taking citalopram without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Seropram side effects

Please note that the following side effects include only some of the most common and somewhat less common but do not include rarer side effects; the list is not exhaustive. Many people taking Seropram experience none of these side effects. Please consult a physician about any unusual symptoms.

Some common side effects reported with this medicine include: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, drowsiness, weakness, tiredness. Anxiety or irritability, headaches or dizziness. Nausea, diarrhea, changes in appetite or weight. Increase in sweating and sexual problems. They generally improve after a few days.

Precautions

All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should be observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few months of a course of drug therapy, or at times of dose changes, either increases or decreases.

When treating a pregnant woman with citalopram during the third trimester, the physician should carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of treatment. Drug interactions caution should be used when it is taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs.

Never suddenly stop taking SSRIs (or any other antidepressant). Their use should be tapered off slowly and only under the supervision of a doctor. Abruptly stopping SSRIs can cause negative side effects or a relapse into another depressive episode.

Citalopram hydrobromide has a wide margin of safety in overdose. Cases of overdoses involved the ingestion of citalopram either alone or in combination with other drugs and/or alcohol. In clinical trials, with overdoses of citalopram, all patients recovered.

Notes

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Seropram. If you have any other questions, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.