All You Need to Know About Citalopram

Did you know an interesting fact about depression? It is not considered a severe disease by people, even though it is.  

That is because, unlike other diseases, the person suffering from depression appears fine from the outside. Even though these patients may maintain their daily routine, they are unwell inside. Sometimes even screaming in their heads.  

It is a type of mental illness, and patients need medical care and a doctor to treat them.

Depression affects more than 264 million people worldwide it is a state of extreme sadness over a long period. It can range from mild to severe and impacts each person differently. Depression is a clinical condition. It can be due to some biological, psychological, and social distress. Research suggests that these factors may cause changes in brain function, including the altered activity of particular neural circuits in the brain. Living with depression can be difficult. Getting the needed support and medication can help the patients to live better. Doctors use anti-depressant medicines like Citalopram along with therapy and one-to-one counselling sessions.

 What is Citalopram? 

Citalopram is an oral prescription drug. It is used to treat people with moderate to severe depression, also known as major depressive disorders. It is generally used in combination with other drugs. It belongs to the anti-depressant class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs increase the serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the brain, which helps improve the symptoms of depression. 

 When is Citalopram prescribed? 

 Citalopram is prescribed for the treatment of the following symptoms: 

 Depressive disorders 

Agitation related to dementia

Mood swings 

Panic attacks 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Eating disorders 

Alcoholism

Dysphoric disorder 

Social anxiety disorder 

Posttraumatic stress disorder 

 It is found to be effective in managing anxiety, depression, and all the related emotional upheaves and disorders.

 How to take Citalopram? 

 The dosage of Citalopram depends upon your age, the condition of the disease, the severity of the condition, and most importantly, your medical history.

Before taking Citalopram; it is imperative to tell the doctor all your medical history and family history. The allergies you may have. The current medicines or nutritional supplements you are consuming. The surgeries you have had. It is also important to tell the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It has to be taken as prescribed by the doctor.

It has to be taken once a day. It can be taken with or without food, as directed by your doctor

Try to take Citalopram at the same time on all days. Set the alarm for a reminder, thus you will not miss any dose.

In case you miss a dose, you can take it when you remember, or if it is almost time for the next dose, simply proceed with the next dose. Never double the dose in case of a missed dose.

It takes around 1-4 weeks to experience the benefits of Citalopram. It is advised to take the medicines as directed even if you feel better.  

Do not stop taking, the medicine suddenly or without the consent of the doctor. That can cause many adverse effects.

Citalopram comes in tablet form and oral solution form. The doctor may start with a low dose and, gradually increase it as per the requirement. It comes in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, and 60mg tablets.

 Some brand names of Citalopram: 

 Citalopram can be found in the market under the following brand names.

 Citalopram (Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd)

Citola (La Pharmaceuticals)

Olarc (Sigmund Promedica) 

CPram (Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd) 

Pratric (Cubit Healthcare)

Madam (Panacea Biotec Ltd)

Topdep (Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd)

Citara (Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd)

Citadelm (Zee Laboratories)

 Dealing with depression is like going to war every single day. No one can know the struggle it takes to go through a day. It requires energy and a lot of support. Citalopram provides relief to most patients, but it also comes with its risks and side effects.

 Some side effects the patients may experience are as follows: 

 Diarrhoea and stomach pain 

Heartburn and excessive sweating 

Decreased appetite and weight loss 

Drowsiness and yawning 

Weakness and Nausea 

Uncontrollable shaking of any body part

Muscle or joint pain 

Decreased sex drive 

some patients may experience severe side effects. In case you experience any of the following, consult your doctor immediately. Patients with heart, liver, and kidney problems should be extra careful. 

 Pain in the chest

A feeling of dizziness 

Fast or irregular heartbeat

Hallucinations, a state of confusion or a loss of coordination 

Any rash 

Experiences difficulty breathing or swallowing

Swelling in parts of the body 

Unsteadiness or Seizures 

 Is Citalopram the drug for you? Or your loved one? 

 Well, getting the correct medication is the key to managing any disease. Till a few years ago, doctors followed the traditional trial method to find the drug which would yield the maximum benefits. Today, we are lucky to see a dramatic change in the medical field. With genetic testing available with ease, it is possible to understand which drugs suit us the best. It has opened doors to getting the perfect match of medicine for any disease.

Genetic testing is also called DNA testing. It studies your DNA, identifies any changes in your genes, and tells you about your risk of any adverse drug reaction beforehand. Genes influence the effectiveness of any medicine. Genetic testing tells you the best-suited drugs for your unique self and will give you the best results.

 You, too, can get the benefits of this revolutionary genetic testing.

Indus Health Plus MEDNAwise genetic testing is a bold and perfect tool to help doctors prescribe the best and most effective drug

MEDNAwise is a pharmacogenetic testing product from Indus Health Plus. It can predict your genetic response to 70+ drugs in different medical specialties.

 It is a perfect tool to test your response to Citalopram. It helps the doctor to select the right drug to treat depression or any mental illness based on your genetic makeup. MEDNAwise genetic test is valuable for your future doctor visits.

 It is a simple spit-swab test. You can take this test from the comfort of your home. Based on the DNA, a detailed report is provided that tells you about your genetic risks to any adverse drug reaction covering 11 specialties and 72 drugs. This revolutionary MEDNAwise test empowers doctors to plan & personalize medications. The added advantage is that our experienced genetic counsellors guide you with recommendations. You can discuss these recommendations with your clinician before taking any medication.

 Dealing with depression can be difficult, but making the correct choice for treatment is easy. Sign up for the MEDNAwise genetic testing today. Make your life easy and better!