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Product name:
Citaxa
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Generic name:
Citalopram
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Dosage form:
Oral tablets
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Packaging:
Box of 3 blisters of 10 scored F.C. tablets
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Drug Category:
Neurology and Psychiatry
Indications:
Acute and maintenance treatment of MDD in adults.
Dosage and Administration:
Following treatment initiation, an antidepressant effect should not be expected for at least two weeks. Treatment should continue until the patient has been free of symptoms for 4-6 months. Citalopram should be withdrawn slowly, it is advised that the dose is gradually reduced over 1-2 week periods.
Adults: Citalopram should be administered as a single oral dose of 20 mg daily. Dependent on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 40 mg daily.
Elderly patients (>65 years of age): For elderly patients the dose should be decreased to half of the recommended dose, e.g. 10-20mg per day. The recommended maximum dose for the elderly is 20mg/daily.
Hepatic impairment/poor metabolizer of CYP2C19: An initial dose of 10mg daily for the first two weeks of treatment is recommended in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (and poor metabolisers of CYP2C19). Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg daily. Caution and extra careful dose titration is advised in patients with severely reduced hepatic function.
Contraindication:
Known hypersensitivity to citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors: Do not use with an MAOI or within 14 days of stopping an MAOI. Allow 14 days after stopping Lexapro before starting an MAOI.
Concomitant use with medicinal products that prolong the QT interval, such as Class IA and III antiarrhythmics, antipsycotics (e.g. fentiazine derviatives, pimozide, haloperidol), tricyclic antidepressants , certain antimicrobial agents (e.g. sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin, erythromycin IV, pentamidine, anti-malarian treatment particularly halofantrine), certain antihistamines (astemizole, mizolastine) etc., is contraindicated.
