• Depression
• Mental Health

How Does Citalopram Work?

Published: March 07, 2025
Updated: March 07, 2025
4 mins

Depression can easily get in the way of daily life before you realize it’s happening. It leads to a loss of interest in activities you once loved, intense sadness, and drastic mood swings. While talk therapy can help alleviate depressive emotions, a healthcare provider may also prescribe an antidepressant like citalopram to help manage depression. 

Antidepressants target chemical messengers in the brain that affect mood and thought processes. The most common type of antidepressant is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, paroxetine, and fluoxetine.

What is Citalopram?

Citalopram is an SSRI that treats depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical naturally produced in the brain to help manage emotions. 

While there has been a long history of research focused on serotonin levels and depression, there is still more research needed on what other chemical changes depression may lead to in the brain. 

Citalopram is also used to treat other mental health conditions like:

• Social anxiety disorder

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Panic disorder

• Alcoholism

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

What is the Recommended Dosage of Citalopram?

The medication can be taken as a liquid or tablet. It’s typically taken once daily. When taking an antidepressant, be sure to follow dosage instructions from your healthcare provider. They may start you on a lower dosage and gradually increase it if needed. 

Typical dosages range from 20 mg (milligrams) to 40 mg daily based on your needs. For elderly people, a healthcare provider may keep the medication at a lower dosage of 20 mg or less. Most people don’t see results until at least four weeks after taking it.

What are the Side Effects of Citalopram?

If you experience side effects while taking citalopram, a healthcare provider may lower your dosage.

Potential side effects people may experience while taking the medication include:

• Nausea

• Abdominal pain

• Heartburn

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Runny nose

More severe side effects people may experience are:

• Low libido

• Erectile dysfunction

• Heavy menstrual periods

• Shortness of breath

• Seizures

If you experience any severe symptoms, seek emergency help right away. Be sure to notify your healthcare provider even if your symptoms are mild. There are other antidepressants a healthcare provider can prescribe that may work better.

What Other Medications May Interact with Citalopram?

Before starting a medication, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know if you are taking other medications or herbal products.

The following medications and herbs may negatively interact with citalopram:

• St. John’s wort

• Aspirin

• Ibuprofen

• Tryptophan

• Cimetidine

Other medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also negatively interact with citalopram.

Who Should Not Take Citalopram?

Health experts do not recommend taking citalopram while pregnant. A healthcare provider may also recommend a different medication if you have a history of cardiovascular issues like a heart attack, high blood pressure, or heart failure.

Where Can I Learn More About Managing Depression?

Choosing to take care of your mental health is one of the best ways to ensure you can show up for those who depend on you. LifeMD works with insurance plans that cover mental health services for at least 95% of adults. Still, there are tips and alternate options for care for those without health insurance.

Get started today by learning more about different kinds of mental health support.

LifeMD makes it easy to stay on top of your health because talking to a doctor, filling your prescriptions, getting your labs done—and more—are all easy and cost-effective. Come discover a healthcare solution built around you and your life.

Connect with a doctor now!

Join Now