What Is the Difference Between Citalopram and Escitalopram?
Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and is a racemate. It can selectively inhibit the 5-HT transporter, block the re-uptake of 5-HT by the presynaptic membrane, prolong and increase the effect of 5-HT, and thus produce antidepressant effects.
Basic Information
- Drug Name
- Citalopram
- Alias
- Citalopram
- Foreign name
- citalopram
- Whether prescription drugs
- prescription
- Main indications
- Depression
- PH value
- 5.4 ~ 6.4
- Impurity
- Single impurity0.5%
Citalopram indications
- For depressive mental disorders (endogenous and non-endogenous depression).
Citalopram clinical application
- Oral: Starting at 20 mg / day, it can be increased to 40 mg / day, with a maximum dose of 40 mg per day. Patients over 65 years of age halved the dose. The recommended maximum dose is 20 mg daily. Patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment use an initial dose of 10 mg per day for the first two weeks of treatment. The maximum dose is 20 mg per day.
Citalopram adverse reactions
- The adverse reactions of citalopram and escitalline are usually short-term and mild, often occurring 1 to 2 weeks after administration, and the adverse reactions may gradually reduce to disappear after continuous treatment.
- 1. Common adverse reactions: loss of appetite, nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, headache, tremor, drowsiness, shortened sleep time or insomnia, decreased libido, lack of sexual pleasure, fatigue, fever.
- 2. Hormonal disorders (hypothyroidism, feminization of male breasts, etc.), tachycardia, and abnormal taste can occur.
Citalopram precautions
- It should be used with caution in patients with allergies to other SSRIs, cardiovascular disease, liver dysfunction, severe renal insufficiency, history of mania, history of epilepsy, and suicidal tendency. Electrocardiogram, liver function, kidney function, and blood routine should be monitored regularly during use. Pregnant women and adolescents should be used with caution. Breastfeeding women are advised to stop breastfeeding when using this product. Not recommended for children. Those who are engaged in tasks or activities that require high levels of mental stress during medication should use this product with caution. This product should avoid sudden withdrawal. When stopping treatment with this product, the dose should be gradually reduced within at least 1 to 2 weeks in order to reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions.
Citalopram medication contraindications
- Those who are allergic to this product are prohibited.
Citalopram drug interactions
- 1. Caution should be used in combination with other drugs acting on the central nervous system.
- 2. When used in combination with cimetidine, it can reduce the clearance of this product. Pay attention when using it in combination.
- 3. There is no interaction between lithium agent and this product. However, lithium will increase the activity of this product's serum activin, so the plasma lithium level should be monitored and the lithium dose should be adjusted appropriately.
- 4. It can increase the blood concentration of metoprolol, but the effect on blood pressure and heart rate has no clinical significance when used in combination.
- 5. It can inhibit the metabolism of imipramine, increase its bioavailability, and prolong its half-life. The combination of the two should be used with caution.
- 6. When combined with droperidol, it can increase cardiotoxicity.
- 7. Should not be used in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, must be separated by 14 days.
- Note: The above content is only for introduction, the drug use must be carried out by a regular hospital under the guidance of a doctor.