Patient/caregiver was educated on side effects of using Citalopram as follows:
Central nervous system side effects
- Citalopram can induce some dizziness and make one drowsy. Starting the medication at a low dose, watching for the response, and gradually changing the dose, to help optimum control of your symptoms, can contribute to controlling/reducing the risk for drowsiness and dizziness due to the medication. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by citalopram intake.
- Also, avoid taking citalopram together with any other medications you may have on your list that also carry potential to cause dizziness, as both the medications could complement each other on causing dizziness, posing a severe threat. Observing a 1 -2 hour interval between taking such medications can help prevent episodes of dizziness and risk.
- Citalopram use can also result in sleep disturbance with poor quality sleep, hallucinations, and compromised memory. If the sleep disturbance becomes bothersome, report it to your physician for any appropriate recommendation. Observing discipline with sleep time and compliance with recommended exercise schedule can help promote sleep. Avoiding stimuli, such as computer, radio, and television an hour before bedtime can help prevent disturbance and train the sleep pattern. Avoid drinking excessive caffeinated drinks and alcoholic beverages, as they contribute heavily to insomnia and sleep disturbance.
- Citalopram use carries risk of deterioration of mood disorders and worsening of clinical symptoms of mood disorders. Individuals can present with complaints such as, feeling low, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, gross appetite changes, impulsiveness, agitation, aggression, and suicidal thoughts. Report to your physician regarding these complaints promptly, for any change in plan of care to be considered.
- Continue taking citalopram, as recommended, even if your mood feels better. Discontinuing the medication abruptly, without your physician’s recommendation, can result in disruption of chemical balance in the brain, resulting in worsening of mood disorder. Individuals can present with severe withdrawal symptoms, such as, listlessness, lack of energy, exacerbation of depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, hallucinations, and mania. Discontinuing the medication should be only upon recommendation by your physician.
Vision changes
- Citalopram use can result in pupillary dilation and obstruction to the drainage of fluid (aqueous humor) inside the eye.
- This blockage of fluid in the eye can result in increase in the intraocular pressure, leading to glaucoma.
- Individuals with glaucoma can present with eye pain, headache, and blurred vision with haloes around light.
