Citalopram can you drink alcohol

Read more about antidepressants and SSRIs. Like all medicines, citalopram can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine. The use of antidepressants has been linked with an increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Children, teenagers, young adults and people with a history of suicidal behaviour are particularly at risk.

This is most likely during the first few weeks of starting an antidepressant or if the dose is changed. It is important to look for signs of suicidal behaviour such as agitation or aggression and ask about suicidal thoughts, self-harm, worsening of low mood, If you notice any of these signs, contact your doctor immediately.

It is ok and important to ask about suicidal thoughts and this will not increase risk. Note: citalopram is not recommended for people under 18 years of age. If you have diabetes , citalopram can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable. Monitor your blood sugar more often for the first few weeks of treatment with citalopram and adjust your diabetes treatment if necessary. You can take citalopram at any time of day, as long as you stick to the same time every day.

The usual dose of citalopram is 20mg a day in adults. But it may be started at a lower dose and increased to a maximum dose of 40mg a day. If you're over 65, or have liver problems, the maximum recommended dose is 20mg a day. The usual dose of citalopram in children is 10mg a day, but this may be increased to 40mg a day.

If you occasionally forget to take a dose, do not worry. Take your next dose the next day at the usual time. Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. The amount of citalopram that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person. Take the citalopram packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you. Like all medicines, citalopram can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.

Some of the common side effects of citalopram will gradually improve as your body gets used to it. Some people who take citalopram for panic attacks find their anxiety gets worse during the first few weeks of treatment. This usually wears off after a few weeks, but speak to your doctor if it bothers you.

A lower dose may help reduce your symptoms. Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:.

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to citalopram. These are not all the side effects of citalopram.

For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. It's important for you and your baby that you stay well during your pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking citalopram, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Citalopram has been linked to a very small increased risk of problems for your unborn baby.

But if your depression is not treated during pregnancy, this can also increase the chance of problems. You may need to take citalopram during pregnancy if you need it to remain well. Your doctor can explain the risks and the benefits, and will help you decide which treatment is best for you and your baby.

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, citalopram can be used during breastfeeding. Citalopram passes into breast milk in small amounts, and has been linked with side effects in very few breastfed babies. It's important to continue taking citalopram to keep you well.

Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby. If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual or seems unusually sleepy, or you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor or doctor as soon as possible. For more information about how citalopram can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read this leaflet on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy BUMPs website.

Some medicines and citalopram can interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start citalopram :. Do not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you're being treated with citalopram as this will increase your risk of side effects.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. It may help to check the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication to see whether alcohol should be avoided.

Read the answers to more questions about medicines. Page last reviewed: 2 April Next review due: 2 April Home Common health questions Medicines Back to Medicines. Can I drink alcohol if I'm taking antidepressants? Advice for different types of antidepressants The information and advice below is specific to the different types of antidepressants that are available.

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