Citalopram (Systemic)

Brand Names : Celexa

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. One rare, but very serious, effect that may occur is the serotonin syndrome. This syndrome (group of symptoms) is more likely to occur shortly after an increase in citalopram dose.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Decrease in sexual desire or ability

Less common

Agitation; blurred vision; confusion; fever; increase in frequency of urination or amount of urine produced; lack of emotion; loss of memory; menstrual changes; skin rash or itching; trouble in breathing

Rare

Anxiety; behavior change similar to drunkenness; bleeding gums; breast tenderness or enlargement or unusual secretion of milk (in females); difficulty in concentrating; dizziness or fainting; increased hunger; irregular heartbeat; low blood sodium (confusion, convulsions [seizures], drowsiness, dryness of mouth, increased thirst, lack of energy); mood or mental changes; nervousness; nose bleed; painful urination; purple or red spots on skin; sore throat, fever, and chills; red or irritated eyes; redness, tenderness, itching, burning, or peeling of skin; serotonin syndrome (agitation, confusion, diarrhea, fever, overactive reflexes, poor coordination, restlessness, shivering, sweating, talking or acting with excitement you cannot control, trembling or shaking, twitching); shakiness; slow or irregular heartbeat (less than 50 beats per minute); trouble in holding or releasing urine; unusual or sudden body or facial movements or postures

Incidence not determined (observed during clinical practice)

Abdominal or stomach pain; black, tarry stools; bloating; constipation; cough; darkened urine; difficult or fast breathing; drooling; fast, slow or irregular heartbeat; hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat; impaired consciousness, ranging from confusion to coma; indigestion; muscle tightness; penile erections, frequent or continuing; restlessness or agitation; redness, tenderness, itching, burning or peeling of skin; uncontrolled jerking or twisting movements

Symptoms of overdose - more common

Dizziness; drowsiness; fast heartbeat; nausea; sweating; trembling or shaking; vomiting

Symptoms of overdose - rare

Bluish colored skin or lips; confusion; convulsions (seizures); coma; deep or fast breathing with dizziness; fainting; general feeling of discomfort or illness; loss of memory; muscle pain; slow or irregular heartbeat; weakness

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Drowsiness; dryness of mouth; nausea; trouble in sleeping

Less common

Abdominal pain; anxiety; change in sense of taste; diarrhea; gas; headache (severe and throbbing); heartburn; increased sweating; increased yawning; loss of appetite; pain in muscles or joints; stuffy or runny nose; tingling, burning, or prickly feelings on skin; tooth grinding; trembling or shaking; unusual increase or decrease in weight; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; watering of mouth

After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on the amount of medicine you were using and how long you used it. During this period of time check with your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:

Anxiety; dizziness; nervousness; trembling or shaking

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.