Also known as Celexa, Citalopram is one of the well known and popular antidepressant that has been prescribed for quite a few decades. Classified to be under the category of the SSRI drugs, the drug has a depressing action on the levels of serotonin, inhibiting the uptake of serotonin in neurotransmitter in the brain. Decreased levels of serotonin thus reduce the disorders that are caused due to depression and other levels of anxiety. It is thus used in the treatment of a wide range of psychological disorders such as the obsessive compulsive disorder and also other physiological disorders such as autism, dementia and more.
The effects of the antidepressant being to manifest within two weeks, however, care should be taken to ensure that the patient is not left alone, as the Citalopram side effects prone to occur at a very early stage. Mostly, the side effects are mild and are not severe, thus do not threaten the well being of the individual. However, with increased severity, caution should be taken at all times and the sleeping patterns of individuals should be monitored with care. Insomnia is the most common side effect that has been observed and tends to make the patient drowsy and dull at all times.
There are other Citalopram side effects that include dryness in the mouth and a sensation of nausea that leads to difference in the appetite and the weight of the individual. There is also an increased sense of respiration, trembling, shakiness and increased frequency of urination. Differences occur in the movement and the coordination of the various motor actions and all these are confined to the decreased levels of serotonin in the blood, as the neurotransmitter is responsible for coordinating the actions from the brain to the body, via the blood.
The other most frequent and complained Citalopram side effects are the changes that are observed in the sexual behavior of an individual. These not just affect the individual who is prescribed with the medication, but also the partner, as it involves both together. Most frequently, individuals find it difficult to achieve orgasm, there is a lack of sex appeal and women may experience irregularities in the menstrual cycle. Aside that, the individual may also experience mood swings and other patterns of self harm and thus, the drug is absolutely not ideal for anyone under the age of 18. Life threatening episodes may lead to attempts of suicide, hallucinations and seizures.
