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Citalopram

SSRI · Antidepressant

SSRIAntidepressant
CDSCO approved
EXCRETION
not curated
INTERACTIONS
12 major
incl. contraindicated
PREGNANCY
Persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn has been reported.
FDA category + note
Top interactionssee all 12
  • DomperidoneContraindicatedDatabase
  • AbarelixSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • AbirateroneSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • AdenosineSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Citalopram is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI).

Indications

Depressive illnessMajor depressive disorderObsessive-compulsive disorderPanic disorderGeneralized anxiety disorderFibromyalgiaNeuropathic painAnxietymajor depressiongeneralized anxietysocial anxietyPTSDpremenstrual dysphoric syndromepreventing vasovagal symptoms in postmenopausal womenAgitation in AD (BPSD)Depression in HDHot flashes in women

Dosing

Adult
Lower dose for S-citalopram (escitalopram)
Hepatic adjustment
For tablets, initial dose of 10 mg daily for the first two weeks in mild to moderate impairment; dose may be increased to max. 20 mg daily. Use with extra caution and careful dose titration in severe impairment. For oral drops, initial dose of 8 mg daily.

Pharmacokinetics

Half-life
36 hours
Bioavailability
Rac: 80 ± 13%
Protein binding
Rac: 80%
Metabolism
hepatic (CYP3A4, CYP2C19)
Excretion
Rac: 10.5 ± 1.4%

Side effects

Common
Sexual dysfunctioninsomniaincreased anxietyirritabilitydecreased libidoerectile dysfunctionanorgasmiaejaculatory delaynauseadiarrheaemesisdullness of intellectual abilitiesconcentration issuesless side effects for S-citalopram (escitalopram)
Serious
  • Serotonin syndrome
  • serotonin syndrome (with MAOIs)
  • suicidal ideation or behavior (black-box warning in children and adolescents)
  • discontinuation syndrome
  • persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns

Pregnancy & lactation

Pregnancy

Persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn has been reported.

Drug interactions

Domperidone
Contraindicated
Database

Increased risk of QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes (TdP)

Concomitant use is contraindicated. Avoid co-administration.

Abarelix
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Abiraterone
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Adenosine
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Alfentanil
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Alimemazine
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Almotriptan
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Amisulpride
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy.

Source: DDInter

Anagrelide
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Apalutamide
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Apomorphine
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Arsenic Trioxide
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Related guidelines

Other SSRI drugs

Ask House about Citalopram

Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.

Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e, Harrison 22e, Katzung·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team