People taking one of the UK’s most commonly prescribed antidepressants have been issued an alert about its potential side effects by the NHS. Patients should speak to a doctor if they keep struggling with any of these problems.
Citalopram is an antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). According to the NHS website, it seems that the drug helps many people recover from depression and also helps those who struggle with panic attacks.
The drug is only available on prescription and is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the UK. You’ll usually take it once a day, either as a tablet or as liquid drops that you mix with water and drink.
You can take it at any time of day, but it’s best to take it at about the same time every day. Most doctors recommend that you take antidepressants for six months to a year, as stopping before that time can make depression come back.
It usually takes around four to six weeks for citalopram to fully work, although you should start to notice the effects and feel better after one to two weeks.
The NHS website says: “Like all medicines, citalopram can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects. Some of the common side effects of citalopram will gradually improve as your body gets used to it.”
Common side effects include:
- being unable to sleep
- dry mouth
- sweating a lot
- feeling sleepy, tired or weak
- headaches
- nausea
There are some more serious side effects, such as gaining or losing weight without trying, signs of increased bleeding (changes in your periods, bleeding from the gums, blood in urine and poo) and strong feelings of happiness, enthusiasm or excitement, or feeling restless where you cannot sit or stand still.
The NHS website also warns that there could be some sexual side effects when people first start taking citalopram. The health service suggests that these may include:
- painful erections and problems getting an erection and ejaculating
- some vaginal bleeding
- not reaching orgasm the same way as before
- a lower sex drive
In an alert to anyone taking the medication, the NHS says: “Sexual side effects usually stop after the first couple of weeks. Sometimes, however, they can be long-lasting and may not get better even after you stop taking the medicine. If this happens and it’s a problem for you, go back to your doctor to see if there’s another treatment you can try.”
Who can and cannot take citalopram?
Most adults and children aged 12 years and over can take citalopram. If you have diabetes, citalopram can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable, so this should be discussed with a doctor and monitored closely.
People who have other kinds of conditions may also find themselves unsuitable to take citalopram, such as anyone who has a heart problem, as citalopram can make your heart beat faster or cause an irregular heartbeat.
Citalopram can also increase your risk of having a seizure, so people diagnosed with epilepsy would also face an added risk. People who are trying to become pregnant, or are already pregnant or breastfeeding, should mention this to their doctor too.
Is there anything I should avoid?
The NHS website states that there are no foods or drinks you need to avoid while taking citalopram. However, it does mention not to take the herbal supplement St John’s wort while you’re taking citalopram as “it will increase your risk of side effects”.
Combining these two can lead to an excess of serotonin in the brain, a condition known as serotonin syndrome that can be life-threatening.