Brand name: Citalopram Hexal

Active ingredient (generic name): Citalopram

Manufacturer: Hexal

Importer: Chekad Darou

Pharmacotherapeutic group: anti-depressant

Pharmaceutical form: 20mg & 40mg tablets

Pharmacodynamic:  

Citalopram is an antidepressant with a strong and selective inhibitory action on the uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin).The antidepressant effect is probably connected with the specific inhibition of serotonin uptake in the brain neurons.

Citalopram has almost no effect on the neuronal uptake of noradrenalin, dopamine and gamma-amino butyric acid. Citalopram shows no affinity, or only very little, for cholinergic, histaminergic and a variety of adrenergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic receptors.

 

Pharmacokinetic:

Citalopram is rapidly absorbed following oral administration: the maximum plasma concentration is reached on average after 4 (1-7) hours. Absorption is independent of food intake. Oral bioavailability is approximately 80%.

The apparent distribution volume is 12-17 l/kg. The plasma-protein binding of Citalopram and its metabolites is below 80%. Citalopram is mainly eliminated via the liver (85%), but also partly (15%) via the kidneys.

 

Therapeutic indication:

It is prescribed for treatment of major depressive episodes.

 

Dosage and administration:

Citalopram should be administered as a single oral dose, either in the morning or in the evening. The tablets can be taken with or without food, but with fluid.

The recommended starting dose is 20mg per day. If necessary, the dose can be increased up to 40mg per day, depending on the individual response of the patient. The maximum dose is 60mg per day.

 

Adverse reaction:

Adverse reactions observed with Citalopram are in general mild and transient. They are most prominent during the first weeks of treatment and usually attenuate as the depressive state improves. The adverse reactions are sweating increased, dry mouth, insomnia, somnolence, diarrhea, nausea and fatigue.

 

Contraindication:

Citalopram should not be given to patients receiving Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs).

Pharmacokinetic interactions:

At the pharmacodynamic level cases of serotonin syndrome with Citalopram and moclobemide and buspirone have been reported.

Special warnings:

Caution should be administered during use of Citalopram in patients with seizures, serotonin syndrome renal and hepatic impairment and cardiac disorders.

 

Pregnancy and lactation:

Citalopram should not be used during pregnancy unless your doctor deems treatment absolutely necessary after careful assessment of the benefits against possible risks and it should be used during lactation only if your doctor prescribed.

 

Storage temperature:  

Room temperature (15-25 C)

 

 

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