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Active ingredient: Citalopram - Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data

Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data

Drug Category

  • Antidepressants
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Dosage Forms

  • Solution (oral)
  • Tablet

Brands / Synonyms

Celexa; Cipram; Citalopram; Citalopram Hydrobromide; Citalopram [Ban:Inn]; Citalopramum [Inn-Latin]; Nitalapram

Indications

For the treatment of depression

Pharmacology

Citalopram is one of a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat the depression associated with mood disorders. It is also used on occassion in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder and anxiety. The antidepressant, antiobsessive-compulsive, and antibulimic actions of Citalopram are presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin. In vitro studies show that Citalopram is a potent and selective inhibitor of neuronal serotonin reuptake and has only very weak effects on norepinephrine and dopamine neuronal reuptake. Citalopram has no significant affinity for adrenergic (alpha1, alpha2, beta), cholinergic, GABA, dopaminergic, histaminergic, serotonergic (5HT1A, 5HT1B, 5HT2), or benzodiazepine receptors; antagonism of such receptors has been hypothesized to be associated with various anticholinergic, sedative, and cardiovascular effects for other psychotropic drugs. The chronic administration of Citalopram was found to downregulate brain norepinephrine receptors, as has been observed with other drugs effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Citalopram does not inhibit monoamine oxidase.

Mechanism of Action

The antidepressant, antiobsessive-compulsive, and antibulimic actions of Citalopram are presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin. Citalopram blocks the reuptake of serotonin at the serotonin reuptake pump of the neuronal membrane, enhancing the actions of serotonin on 5HT1A autoreceptors. SSRIs bind with significantly less affinity to histamine, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine receptors than tricyclic antidepressant drugs.

Absorption

80%

Toxicity

Sexual dysfunction, especially ejaculatory difficulties in men. Commonly, citalopram may cause drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, and sleeping problems

Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism

Liver

Contraindications

Concomitant use in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) is contraindicated.

Concomitant use in patients taking pimozide is contraindicated.

Celexa is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients in Celexa.

Drug Interactions

Central nervous system depressant (CNS) drugs including alcohol, antidepressants,
antihistamines, antipsychotics, blood pressure medications (reserpine, methyldopa,
beta-blockers), motion sickness medications, muscle relaxants, narcotics, sedatives,
sleeping pills and tranquilizers

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