This article describes citalopram oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for citalopram.
If you want to know more about citalopram oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, its side effects, and more.
Citalopram oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Celexa. Citalopram also comes in an oral solution and oral disintegrating tablet, but those forms aren’t discussed in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults
Citalopram has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about this warning.
Citalopram oral tablet comes as follows:
- Forms: oral tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 20 mg, 40 mg
The 20-mg tablets and the 40-mg tablets have a score line. This line makes it easier to split the tablets into two equal halves if needed.
Dosage of citalopram
This article describes the recommended dosages for citalopram oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of citalopram oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Before you start citalopram, you doctor will ask you about your health history. They’ll learn whether you or a family member have bipolar disorder. If you’re at risk of mania or hypomania, your doctor usually won’t prescribe citalopram.
Usual recommended dosages of citalopram in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of citalopram oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of citalopram oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.
Your doctor usually will prescribe the following dosages of citalopram to treat depression. The dosages are in milligrams (mg). A maintenance dosage is what you take for the remainder of treatment, usually after a starting dosage.
- Starting dosage: 20 mg once per day
- Maintenance dosage: 40 mg once per day*
- Maximum dosage: 40 mg once per day
* For people who process the drug more slowly, the maintenance dosage is 20 mg per day. This includes people who have liver problems or are age 60 years or older. It also includes those with slower activity of a certain enzyme. It can also include people taking a medication that slows the activity of that enzyme.
Your doctor will typically increase your dosage from 20–40 mg per day after 1 week or longer.
Dosage adjustments for citalopram
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of citalopram oral tablet based on several factors. These include:
- the severity of your condition
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
- your liver and kidney function
- other drugs you may take
- your risk of side effects
Missed dose of citalopram
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of citalopram oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of citalopram oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about citalopram oral tablet and its dosage.
What is the lowest effective dose of citalopram?
The lowest citalopram dose that’s typically prescribed is 20 mg per day. Your doctor is likely to prescribe this dosage if your body breaks down the drug more slowly. Your body may process and remove citalopram more slowly if you:
- are age 60 years or older
- have liver problems
- have slower activity of the enzyme CYP2C19*
- take a medication that slows the activity of CYP2C19
* Your body uses the liver enzyme CYP2C19 to break down certain drugs. An enzyme is a type of protein. Some people have slower activity of this enzyme. In this case, the body takes longer to break down citalopram.
Depending on your body’s response to the drug, your doctor could prescribe a dosage that’s even lower than 20 mg per day. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your citalopram dosage.
Can citalopram be taken for anxiety? If so, what’s the dosage?
Yes, doctors sometimes prescribe citalopram off-label to treat anxiety. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.
With off-label use, doctors choose a drug’s dosage based on current research and medical consensus.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Will my doctor increase my dose of citalopram from 20 to 30 mg?
It’s possible. If you have a high risk of side effects, your doctor may increase your citalopram dosage slowly.
The typical maintenance dosage is 40 mg per day. After your starting dosage, your doctor could increase your dosage from 20 mg to 40 mg right away. Or they could increase it in steps. First, they could increase your dosage from 20 mg to 30 mg. Then, they could increase it again to 40 mg per day.
To learn more about how your citalopram dosage will be adjusted, talk with your doctor.
Is citalopram taken long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe citalopram oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take citalopram oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
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Get free cardHow citalopram is taken
You’ll swallow citalopram oral tablet once per day. You can take it with or without food.
Before you start citalopram, you doctor will ask you about your health history. They’ll learn whether you or any family members have bipolar disorder. This condition causes extreme mood changes, including mania and hypomania. If you’re at risk of mania or hypomania, your doctor usually won’t prescribe citalopram.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form. You can chew or crush citalopram tablets if needed. Also, the 20-mg and 40-mg tablets have a score line. That allows you to split the tablets into halves, which may make them easier for you to swallow. You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to safely split the tablets.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Citalopram coupon
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for citalopram when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Overdose of citalopram
It’s important that you do not take more citalopram oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of citalopram overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
In extreme cases or if left untreated, overdose can lead to coma.
What to do if you take too much citalopram
If you think you’ve taken too much citalopram, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for citalopram oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of citalopram oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take citalopram oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How often will my citalopram oral tablet dosage be adjusted?
- Does a higher dosage of citalopram oral tablet have a higher risk of side effects?
- If I start a new medication, will my citalopram oral tablet dosage need to be changed?
- How do I split my citalopram oral tablet?
Boxed warning for citalopram
Citalopram has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Citalopram is part of a group of drugs called antidepressants. Drugs in this group have a risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors for certain people. The people at risk are children and young adults ages 24 years and younger.
Citalopram is not approved for use in people younger than age 18 years.
The risk is higher when you first start taking the drug. It’s also higher when you change your dosage.
Due to this risk, your doctor will monitor you for suicidal thoughts and behaviors while you take citalopram. If you notice new or worsening thoughts, behaviors, or moods, talk with your doctor or someone you trust right away. You can read more about how to notice suicidal thoughts and behaviors in this article.
If you have thoughts of suicide during treatment with citalopram, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Or you can tell your doctor right away. For ways to get support, refer to this article.
If you’re hurt or need urgent help, call 911 or your local emergency number.
To learn more about this boxed warning, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
