Citalopram oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

This article describes possible side effects of citalopram oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for citalopram. You can explore this overview article to learn more about citalopram oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Citalopram oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Celexa. Citalopram also comes in other forms that you swallow, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain people

Citalopram has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of citalopram in detail” section below.

More common side effects of citalopram

Citalopram oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of citalopram oral tablet include:

• nausea
• dry mouth
• sleepiness
• insomnia (trouble sleeping)
• sweating

Mild side effects of citalopram

Citalopram may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of citalopram oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• loss of appetite
• temporary anxiety
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fatigue (low energy)
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• pain in your joints or muscles
• tremors
• sleepiness
• sweating
• insomnia (trouble sleeping)
• weakness
• changes in weight*
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of citalopram in detail” section below.

Citalopram oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of citalopram

Citalopram may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from citalopram oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with citalopram.

Serious side effects of citalopram oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• abnormal heart rhythm (a heartbeat that’s too fast, too slow, or uneven)
• bleeding or bruising more often than usual
• low blood sodium level
• seizures (changes in the electrical activity of your brain)
• serotonin syndrome (high level of the chemical serotonin in your system)
• withdrawal symptoms, if you suddenly stop taking citalopram
• sexual side effects,* including erectile dysfunction
• risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors†
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of citalopram in detail” section below.
† Citalopram oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of citalopram in detail” section below.

Common questions about side effects of citalopram

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of citalopram oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

When I first start taking citalopram, will I experience certain side effects?

You may experience side effects when you first start taking citalopram. But it’s not clear whether certain side effects are more likely at the beginning of treatment, based on information from studies of the drug.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you have side effects when you start taking citalopram oral tablet. Mild side effects often go away on their own, but your doctor or pharmacist can determine whether your symptoms require treatment.

Are side effects of citalopram in females similar to those seen in males?

Yes, side effects of citalopram in females* are similar to those reported in males.*

Most mild and serious side effects that citalopram may cause can affect males or females. But sexual side effects caused by the drug can differ slightly. To learn more about citalopram oral tablet and sexual side effects, see the “Side effects of citalopram in detail” section below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about side effects you may experience from taking citalopram.

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Will citalopram 10 mg cause fewer side effects than citalopram 20 mg?

Possibly. In general, side effects are less likely to occur with lower doses of a drug compared with higher doses. Information from studies of citalopram doesn’t note whether the risk of side effects differed with varying strengths of the drug.

Your pharmacist or doctor can answer additional questions you may have about how your dosage may affect your risk of side effects.

Does citalopram cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases, citalopram oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. Or they may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug but eventually go away.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with citalopram oral tablet include:

• abnormal heart rhythm
• bleeding or bruising more often than usual
• low blood sodium level
• sexual side effects*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of citalopram in detail” section below.

These side effects may go away if you stop taking citalopram.

It’s important to check with your doctor before stopping any medications, including citalopram. Your doctor can advise whether you should stop treatment. If you need to stop taking citalopram oral tablet, they’ll recommend how to safety do so.

Coupon for citalopram

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.

Side effects of citalopram in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of citalopram oral tablet.

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

In studies, there was a slightly increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults (up to age 24 years) using citalopram oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.

This is a known side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including citalopram. It’s important to note that SSRIs decrease this risk in adults age 25 years and older. It’s also important to know that depression itself increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. (Citalopram is prescribed to treat depression in adults).

Citalopram is only approved for use in adults. It’s not approved for any use in children.

With suicidal thoughts and behaviors, you may regularly think about harming yourself. Other symptoms may include avoiding social contact and wishing that you hadn’t been born.

Certain factors can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors with citalopram oral tablet. These include having your citalopram dosage changed and being in the first few months of treatment. It’s thought this risk may decrease as treatment with citalopram continues.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of or have concerns about suicidal thoughts and behaviors, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend exploring other treatment options for depression if you experience this side effect from taking citalopram.

If you’re comfortable, it can be helpful to let a close family member or friend know that you’re taking citalopram. They can help monitor for changes in your behavior, moods, or thinking while you’re taking the drug.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Sexual side effects

In studies, sexual side effects were reported in people taking citalopram oral tablet. These side effects can be mild or serious.

Sexual side effects reported with citalopram include:

• delayed or inability to orgasm
• low sex drive
• erectile dysfunction in males*

While inability to orgasm was somewhat common among males* taking citalopram, sexual side effects from the drug were mostly rare.

Certain factors can increase the risk of sexual side effects with citalopram oral tablet. These include having certain mental health conditions, including depression. (Citalopram is prescribed to treat depression).

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of sexual side effects, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend exploring other treatments for depression besides citalopram.

Changes in weight

In studies, changes in weight were rare in people using citalopram oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.

With changes in weight, you experience weight gain or loss. It’s important to note that changes in weight can be caused by many factors. It can be difficult to tell if weight changes are due to medications such as citalopram, or due to other factors. 

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of or have concerns about changes in weight, tell your doctor. They can review ways to help you maintain a weight that’s healthy for you. They can also review your medications to see if any could affect your weight. Most people do not experience significant changes in weight from taking citalopram.

Allergic reaction

For some people, citalopram oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions have been rarely reported with citalopram treatment.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking citalopram.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to citalopram oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for citalopram

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking citalopram oral tablet.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Citalopram has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of citalopram in detail” section above.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to take citalopram oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether citalopram oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking citalopram oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) drugs, such as phenelzine (Nardil)
• the antipsychotic drug pimozide
• the antibiotic drug linezolid (Zyvox)
• bipolar disorder or mania
• abnormal heart rhythm, including long QT syndrome
• heart problems, including heart failure or heart attack
• low blood level of magnesium, potassium, or sodium
• seizures (changes in the electrical activity of your brain)
• epilepsy
• glaucoma
• kidney problems
• liver problems
• past allergic reaction to citalopram

Citalopram and pregnancy

It’s not known whether citalopram should be taken during pregnancy. But there are risks with having unmanaged depression while pregnant. (Citalopram is used for treating depression.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about treatment options for depression during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take citalopram during pregnancy.

Citalopram and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you to breastfeed while taking citalopram.

Children exposed to the drug through breastfeeding may experience side effects, including sleepiness, fussiness, or feeding difficulties. Call your doctor right away if you breastfeed during treatment with citalopram oral tablet and your child shows these side effects.

Citalopram and alcohol

Citalopram oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.

That said, alcohol and citalopram can cause similar side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and fatigue (low energy). Combining the two could raise your risk of having these side effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with citalopram oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of citalopram oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Does my health history raise my risk of side effects if I take citalopram?
• Do other medications I take interact with citalopram and increase my risk of side effects?
• How do side effects of citalopram compare with those of other treatments for depression?
• Are there certain foods or diets I should avoid while taking citalopram?

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.