Citalopram Teva

Company: Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland.
Legal category: Prescription. GMS. Sport permitted.
Active ingredient: Citalopram hydrobromide eq. to citalopram 40mg.
Description: White oval film-coated tablet with a break-line on one side.
Presentation: 40mg-28, €27.10.
Indication: Major depressive episodes.

Pharmacology: Citalopram is a potent inhibitor of serotonin (5-HT)-uptake. Tolerance to the inhibition of 5-HT-uptake is not induced by long-term treatment with citalopram. Citalopram is the most SSRI yet described, with no, or minimal effect on noradrenaline, dopamine, and gamma aminobutyric acid uptake.
Dosage: Adult: Single 20mg daily oral dose. If necessary, can be increased up to 40mg daily. Maximum of 60mg daily. Antidepressant effect should not be expected for at least 2 weeks. Continue treatment until patients have been free of symptoms for 4-6 months. Mild/moderate hepatic impairment: Initially, 10mg daily for first two weeks; may be increased to 30mg daily. Elderly: Reduced dose to 10-20mg daily. Maximum 40mg daily. Children: Under 18 years, not recommended.
Contraindications: Known hypersensitivity to citalopram or to any of the excipients.
Special precautions: Should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years due to risk of suicidality. Severe renal impairment: Not recommended. May occur: Akathisia, serotonin syndrome (discontinue), hyponatraemia, bleeding abnormalities, may increase psychotic symptoms. Caution: Diabetes, controlled epilepsy (discontinue if seizures develop), unstable epilepsy (avoid), history of mania/hypomania, ECT. Monitor for clinical worsening and suicidal behaviour. Withdraw gradually over 1-2 week period. Pregnancy (if clearly necessary), lactation. Contains lactose.
Drug interactions: Contraindication: MAOI (or within 14 days following their discontinuation). Not recommended: Serotonergics (e.g. tryptophan, triptans, oxitriptan, tramadol), St John’s Wort. Caution: QT interval prolonging drugs, drugs lowering seizure threshold (e.g. antidepressants, neuroleptics, mefloquin, bupropion), anticoagulants, medicines affecting thrombocyte function, such as NSAIDs, acetylsalicylic acid, dipyridamol, ticlopidine or other medicines (e.g. atypical antipsychotics, phenothiazines, TCAs) increasing the risk of haemorrhage. Avoid alcohol.
Adverse drug reactions: Somnolence, insomnia, agitation, nervousness, headache, tremor, dizziness, paraesthesia, migraine, sleep disorder, impaired concentration, abnormal dreaming, amnesia, anxiety, decreased libido, increased appetite, anorexia, apathy, confusion, palpitations, tachycardia, postural hypotension, hypotension and hypertension, GI disorders, micturition disorder, polyuria, weight decrease/increase, rhinitis, sinusitis, ejaculation failure, female anorgasmia, dysmenorrhoea, impotence, increased sweating, rash, pruritus, abnormal accommodation/vision, asthenia, fatigue, yawning, taste abnormalities.
Full prescribing information and references available from Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland. Telephone: 1800 201700.