Celapram 20mg

Celapram general information

What is Celapram used for?

Celapram tablets 20mg (also known as Celexa) are used to treat major depression in the initial phase to relieve symptoms of depressive illness, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide. Celapram tablets 20mg are also used as maintenance against relapse or recurrence of depressive episodes.

How does Celapram work?

Celapram tablets 20mg (also known as Celexa) contain citalopram which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Citalopram is one of the most selective SSRIs yet described, which means that it does not affect noradrenaline, dopamine or gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake. Celapram tablets 20mg act in the brain to correct the chemical imbalance that is thought to be one of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders, particularly a lack of serotonin (a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate), which controls many body activities, including regulating mood. Citalopram in Celapram tablets blocks the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, which is the gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent from one nerve cell to another. If the re-uptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) is blocked, this means that there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), which allows nerve cells to communicate with each other for longer. The action of Celapram tablets 20mg helps relieve symptoms of depression and other mood disorders by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, which in turn increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.

What does Celapram contain?

Celapram tablets contain citalopraml, an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat major depression. They also contain: maize starch, lactose, cellulose - microcrystalline, PVP/VA copolymer, glycerol, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol 400 and titanium dioxide.

Treating depression with Celapram

Celapram tablets 20mg contain citalopram, an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat major depression in the initial phase, to relieve symptoms of depression, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating and recurrent thoughts of suicide. Celapram tablets 20mg are also used as maintenance against relapse or recurrence of depressive episodes. One of the major causes of depression is thought to be a lack of serotonin a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) that regulates mood. Citalopram in Celapram tablets 20mg blocks the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, which is the gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent from one nerve cell to another. This means that there is more serotonin to allow nerve cells to communicate with each other for longer, and increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain in turn increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.

What are the side effects of Celapram?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Celapram tablets 20mg are generally mild and transient and usually disappear with continued treatment. They include: nausea, diarrhoea, drowsiness, dry mouth, increased sweating, tremor, sexual problems.

Why you should not suddenly stop taking Celapram

If you stop taking your Celapram tablets 20mg suddenly you may experience withdrawal symptoms, including: dizziness, tingling or pricking sensations (paraesthesia), headache, anxiety and nausea. If your doctor has suggested reducing your dose of Celapram tablets 20mg, this should be done gradually over a period of at least 1 to 2 weeks.

When should Celapram not be used?

You should not use Celapram tablets 20mg if you:

• are allergic to citalopram or any of the ingredients in Celapram tablets 20mg
• are pregnant or breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have liver or kidney disease
• taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications as these can cause serious reactions if taken with Celapram or within 14 days
• are taking medication that affects blood clotting as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Celapram
• taking other medication that interacts with Celapram, including, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, the analgesic tramadol, tryptophan, or phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), migraine medicines like sumatriptan, the antipsychotic pimozide, herbal remedies containing St. John´s Wort, bupropion, for nicotine dependence, cimetidine for reflux and ulcers, the sedative diazepam, tolbutamide for diabetes, methadone for drug addiction

What medications interact with Celapram?

Several medications interact with Celapram and should either not be taken while you are taking Celapram or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Celapram: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression; medication that affects blood clotting like warfarin, as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Celapram
• Drugs that affect Celapram: tramadol (analgesic), tryptophan or lithium (mood alteration), phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), medicines used to treat migraine, eg sumatriptan, St John's Wort, a herbal remedy used to treat mood disorders, cimetidine for reflux and ulcers
• Drugs that are affected by Celapram: the antipsychotic pimozide, clozapine for schizophrenia, the anticoagulant warfarin, phenytoin for epilepsy, the sedative diazepam, tolbutamide for diabetes methadone for drug addiction, bupropion for nicotine dependence

How should Celapram be taken?

You should take your Celapram tablets 20mg with a glass of water with or without food usually once a day, at the same time each day, for several weeks or months, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations. Your doctor may increase your dose, depending on the severity of your depression and how you are responding to treatment. You should take your Celapram tablets 20mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months even if you feel better, to ensure that you are free of symptoms.

How long should you take Celapram?

You should take your Celapram tablets 20mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months even if you feel better, to ensure that you are free of symptoms.

Missed dose of Celapram

If you miss a dose of Celapram tablets 20mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Celapram be stored?

You should keep your Celapram tablets 20mg in their blister packs until use and store below 25°C in a cool dry place.