Patient/caregiver was educated on side effects of using Citalopram as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Citalopram use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with citalopram, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Bleeding episodes
- Citalopram intake can thin the blood and increase risk for bleeding in the skin and mucus membranes.
- Patients can present with bleeding spots on the skin, internal abdominal bleeding with fresh blood or partially digested blood in the stool, and bleeding in the urine staining the urine brownish red.
- While taking citalopram, keep a close watch on the stool and urine color for any red discoloration, indicating fresh bleeds. Report to your physician regarding any bleeding spots in the skin, episodes of fresh bleed with the stool and urine, after starting to take citalopram. Partially digested blood can stain the stool black and tarry, which also must be reported to the physician.
Cardiovascular side effects
- Citalopram carries the risk of lowering the blood pressure. Hypotension, secondary to citalopram intake, can lead to episodes of confusion and dizziness, thus increasing the risk for fall and accidents.
- Citalopram also carries the risk of causing and/or aggravating cardiac arrhythmias. Individuals with cardiac arrhythmias can present with episodes of chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath, and can lead to severe debility and death.
