Brand Names

How to Use

Take this drug only as directed by your family doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often and do not take it for a longer time than your family doctor ordered.

Citalopram may be taken with or without food on a full or empty stomach. If your family doctor tells you to take it a certain way, follow your family doctor's instructions.

You may have to take citalopram for 4 weeks before you begin to feel better . Your family doctor must check your progress at regular appointments during this time. Always you may need to keep taking citalopram for 6 months or longer to help prevent the return of the depression.

Do not stop taking this medication without checking first with your family doctor

Dosage

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the drug.

• For oral dosage form - solution and tablets:
  • For depression:
    • Adults To start, usually 20 milligrams - mg once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. Your family doctor may increase your dose gradually if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg a day.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by the family doctor.
    • Older adults Usually 20 milligrams - mg once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. Your family doctor may increase your dose gradually if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg a day.

Missed dose Because citalopram may be taken by various diseaseds at various times of the day, you and your family doctor must discuss what to do if you miss any doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.