What Is Celapram Used For?

Celapram contains citalopram hydrobromide and belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is prescribed to help treat depression by correcting chemical imbalances in the brain.

Primary Uses

Celapram is used to treat depression. Depression is longer lasting or more severe than normal ‘low moods’ and can cause emotional and physical symptoms such as feeling low in spirit, loss of interest in activities, being unable to enjoy life, poor appetite or overeating, disturbed sleep, loss of sex drive, lack of energy and feeling guilty over nothing.

How It Works

SSRIs are thought to work by acting on chemicals in your brain called amines, which are involved in controlling mood. Celapram corrects the chemical imbalance in parts of the brain that is thought to cause depression, and may help relieve the symptoms of depression.

How to Take Celapram

The dose of Celapram varies from person to person, and your doctor will decide what dose is right for you. Take your tablets at about the same time each day for the best effect.

Dosage Instructions

The standard dose for adults is between 20 mg and 40 mg (one to two tablets) per day. For elderly patients, the recommended starting dose is 10 mg per day but may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg per day if needed. If you have liver problems or are taking medicines such as cimetidine or omeprazole, the recommended starting dose is 10mg per day, which can be increased to a maximum of 20mg per day. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. Celapram can be taken with or without food, either in the morning or evening. The 20 mg and 40 mg tablets can be divided in half if advised by your doctor or pharmacist. Do not chew the tablets.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your dose and remember within 12 hours, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your tablets as normal. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Decreased appetite or loss of appetite
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Sleeplessness
• Fatigue
• Sleepiness or drowsiness
• Yawning
• Increased sweating
• Sexual disturbances
• Itching
• Ringing or persistent noise in ears
• Aching muscles or joint pain
• Flu-like symptoms
• Fever
• Runny or blocked nose
• Sneezing
• Facial pain

Important Warnings

There are important safety considerations and medical conditions that need to be discussed with your doctor before starting Celapram.

Who Should Not Take Celapram

Do not use Celapram if you have congenital long QT syndrome, as at high doses Celapram can cause changes in the way your heart beats. Do not use if you are allergic to citalopram hydrobromide or any of the ingredients. Do not take if the packaging shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look right. Do not give to children or adolescents under 18 years old.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: congenital long QT syndrome or other heart conditions, illnesses requiring regular blood tests, tendency to bleed or bruise easily, bipolar disorder (manic depression), diabetes, history of seizures or fits, liver disease, kidney disease, restlessness and/or need to move often, raised intraocular pressure or risk of angle-closure glaucoma, epilepsy, or if you are receiving electroconvulsive therapy. Also tell your doctor if you are lactose intolerant, as Celapram tablets contain lactose.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Celapram if you are pregnant unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits. When taken during pregnancy, particularly in the last three months, medicines like Celapram may affect your newborn baby and may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), making the baby breathe faster and appear bluish. If you take Celapram near the end of pregnancy, there may be increased risk of heavy vaginal bleeding shortly after birth. Citalopram has been shown to reduce sperm quality in animal studies, which could theoretically affect fertility. Do not take Celapram if you are breastfeeding unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits, as it is excreted in breast milk.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Celapram and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.

• Pimozide (used to treat mental disorders)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) including tranylcypromine, phenelzine, moclobemide, and selegiline
• Linezolid antibiotic
• Other antidepressants including SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants
• Antipsychotics and lithium
• NSAIDs such as aspirin
• Sumatriptan for migraines
• Tryptophan supplements
• Antifungal medicines like ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole
• Macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin and clarithromycin
• Warfarin
• Carbamazepine
• Cimetidine and omeprazole
• St John’s Wort
• Tramadol
• Beta-blockers like metoprolol
• Antiarrhythmics
• Digoxin
• Heart medicines, antibiotics, asthma medicines, and antihistamines that affect heart rhythm

Alcohol & Driving

Celapram can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol. Take precautions to ensure your safety and that of others.

Alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Avoid alcohol while taking Celapram. It is not advisable to drink alcohol while being treated for depression.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Celapram affects you. Celapram may cause visual disturbances (such as blurred vision), nausea, fatigue, and dizziness in some people, especially early in treatment. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Storage

Keep your tablets in the original packaging in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C, away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep in a safe place away from children – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is recommended.

Overdose Information

If you think you have taken too much Celapram, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fast or slow heart beat, changes in heart rhythm, blood pressure changes, tremor, agitation, dilated pupils, drowsiness, sweating, bluish skin discoloration, increased breathing rate, convulsions or coma. Serotonin syndrome may occur with high fever, agitation, confusion, trembling and abrupt muscle contractions. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Frequently Asked Questions