Citalopram
Citabax belongs to a group of antidepressant medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Citabax contains citalopram as the active substance and is used to treat depression and anxiety disorders with agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) or without agoraphobia.
Before starting treatment with Citabax, the patient should discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist.
The following situations are described in which Citabax can only be used under certain conditions and with special caution. The patient should discuss this with their doctor. The patient should consult their doctor, even if the above warnings refer to situations that occurred in the past.
Citabax should not be taken:
Special caution should be exercised when taking Citabax:
Liver or kidney function disorders
The patient should inform their doctor about liver or kidney function disorders. The doctor may then adjust the dose (see section 3 "How to take Citabax").
Seizures
In patients with epilepsy, treatment with Citabax should be discontinued if seizures occur or if their frequency increases (see also section 4 "Possible side effects").
Diabetes
As with other SSRIs, citalopram may also affect blood glucose control in diabetic patients. It may be necessary to adjust the dose of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
Hyponatremia
During treatment with citalopram, rare cases of hyponatremia (decreased sodium levels in the blood) have been reported, probably due to inadequate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), which was usually reversible after discontinuation of treatment. Most reports concerned elderly patients, patients taking diuretics, or patients with fluid deficiency caused by other factors. Symptoms may include malaise with muscle weakness and confusion.
Bipolar affective disorder
In patients with bipolar affective disorder, mania may occur. It is characterized by unusual and rapidly changing ideas, unjustified feelings of happiness, and excessive physical activity. If these symptoms occur, the patient should consult their doctor to discontinue Citabax.
As with other medicines used to treat depression or related disorders, improvement does not occur immediately. The patient may only feel it after several weeks of taking Citabax. In the treatment of anxiety disorders, it usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to observe improvement.
In the initial period of treatment, some patients may experience increased anxiety, which usually subsides after 14 days of treatment. To reduce these symptoms, it is recommended to use an initial dose of 10 mg of citalopram in the first week of treatment (see section 3 "How to take Citabax").
It is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly and not to stop treatment or change the dose without consulting a doctor.
If the patient has psychotic depression, treatment with Citabax may exacerbate psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations or delusions).
Sexual disorders
Medicines like Citabax (SSRIs or SNRIs) may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction (see section 4). In some cases, these symptoms persisted after discontinuation of treatment.
Bleeding
Prolonged bleeding time and/or bleeding [e.g., large, extensive skin bleeding (ecchymoses), gynecological bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, and other bleeding in the skin or mucous membranes] have rarely occurred in association with the use of medicines like Citabax. If the patient is pregnant, see the section "Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility". It is recommended to exercise caution in patients with a history of bleeding disorders and during concomitant use of medicines that may increase the risk of bleeding (see also the section "Citabax and other medicines").
Electroconvulsive therapy
Caution is recommended when using Citabax and electroconvulsive therapy, as clinical experience is currently limited.
Visual disturbances
The patient should inform their doctor if they have vision problems, such as certain types of glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure). In such a case, Citabax should be used with caution.
Akathisia/psychomotor restlessness
Treatment with Citabax is associated with the development of akathisia, which is characterized by an unpleasantly perceived state of restlessness and a need to move, often accompanied by an inability to sit or stand still. This is most likely to occur in the first few weeks of treatment. Increasing the dose may be harmful to patients who experience these symptoms.
Discontinuation reactions after stopping treatment with an SSRI
Discontinuation reactions often occur after treatment is stopped, especially if it is stopped abruptly (see section 4 "Possible side effects"). The risk of occurrence of withdrawal symptoms may depend on various factors, including the duration of treatment, dose, and rate of dose reduction. Generally, these symptoms are mild to moderate, but in some patients, they may also be severe. They usually occur within the first few days after treatment is stopped. Generally, these symptoms resolve on their own within two weeks. In some patients, they may persist for longer (2-3 months or longer). When discontinuing Citabax, it is recommended to gradually reduce the dose over a period of several weeks or months, depending on the patient's needs (see section 3 "How to take Citabax").
In patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts or self-harm thoughts may sometimes occur. They may worsen after starting treatment with antidepressant medicines, as these medicines begin to work only after some time – usually after two weeks, or even later.
A greater tendency to such thoughts may occur:
If the patient experiences any thoughts of self-harm or suicide, they should immediately contact their doctor or go to the hospital.
It may be helpful to inform relatives or friendsabout the depression or anxiety disorder and ask them to read this leaflet. The patient may ask them to monitor their condition and inform them if their depression or anxiety worsens or if they notice any disturbing changes in behavior.
Citabax should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. In the case of patients taking medicines from this group, patients under 18 years of age are at increased risk of side effects, such as suicidal attempts, suicidal thoughts, and hostility (especially aggression, rebellious behavior, and manifestations of anger). Nevertheless, the doctor may prescribe Citabax to patients under 18 years of age, considering that it is in their best interest. If the doctor has prescribed Citabax to a patient under 18 years of age, in case of any doubts, the patient should consult their doctor. If the above-mentioned symptoms develop or worsen in patients under 18 years of age taking Citabax, the patient should inform their doctor.
Additionally, as yet, there is no data on the long-term safety of Citabax in this age group regarding growth, maturation, and cognitive and behavioral development.
Elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of antidepressant medicines, so the dose of Citabax will be adjusted by the doctor. If any side effects occur, the patient should inform their doctor.
The patient should tell their doctor or pharmacist about all medicines they are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines they plan to take.
During treatment with Citabax, the patient should consult their doctor before taking any other medicines.
Medicines can affect the action of other medicines, which can sometimes lead to serious side effects.
Citabax should not be taken:
The patient should exercise caution when taking Citabax with:
The patient should avoid concurrent administration of citalopram and products containing St. John's Wort (herbal medicines used to treat depression) due to the increased risk of side effects.
Citabax can be taken with or without food (see section 3 "How to take Citabax").
As with all antidepressant medicines, the patient should avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with Citabax. However, it has not been shown that citalopram interacts with alcohol.
If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks they may be pregnant, or plans to have a child, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
Experience with the use of citalopram during pregnancy is limited. Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should not take Citabax unless their doctor considers it absolutely necessary.
The patient should not stop taking citalopram abruptly. Taking Citabax during pregnancy, especially in the last three months, may increase the risk of serious complications in the newborn. These symptoms usually appear within the first day after birth.
Patients taking Citabax in the last three months of pregnancy up to delivery should be aware that the following symptoms may occur in the newborn: seizures, temperature fluctuations, feeding difficulties, vomiting, low blood sugar, muscle stiffness or weakness, increased reflexes, tremors, irritability, drowsiness, sleep disturbances, or constant crying. If any of these symptoms occur in the newborn, the patient should immediately contact their doctor.
Taking Citabax during pregnancy, especially in the last three months, may increase the risk of serious complications in the newborn, known as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Symptoms include rapid breathing and cyanosis. These symptoms usually appear within the first day after birth. If such symptoms occur in the newborn, the patient should immediately contact their doctor or midwife.
Taking Citabax near the end of pregnancy may increase the risk of severe postpartum hemorrhage, especially if the patient has a history of bleeding disorders. If the patient is taking Citabax, they should inform their doctor or midwife so that they can provide appropriate advice.
Breastfeeding
Before taking any medicine, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
If the patient is breastfeeding, they should consult their doctor, who will carefully weigh the benefits of breastfeeding against the potential risks to the baby. Small amounts of Citabax may pass into breast milk.
Fertility
In animal studies, citalopram has been shown to impair sperm quality. This effect may theoretically affect fertility, although no decrease in fertility has been observed in humans yet.
Even if the medicinal product is used as intended, it may affect the ability to react, making it difficult to participate actively in traffic or operate machinery. The patient should not work without proper protection.
If the patient has been diagnosed with intolerance to some sugars, they should consult their doctor before taking Citabax.
The medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per coated tablet, which means that the medicine is considered "sodium-free".
Citabax should always be taken as directed by the doctor.
In case of doubts, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
Adults
Treatment of depression
Usually, a dose of 20 mg per day is used. The doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 40 mg per day.
Treatment of anxiety disorder with agoraphobia or without agoraphobia
The initial dose is 10 mg of citalopram per day for the first week. Then, it is increased to 20 mg per day. The doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 40 mg per day.
Use of Citabax in elderly patients (over 65 years of age)
The initial dose should be reduced to half of the recommended dose, e.g., 10-20 mg per day.
Elderly patients usually should not take more than 20 mg per day.
Use of Citabax in special patient groups
In patients with impaired liver function, the elimination of Citabax may be slower.
In the case of mild or moderate liver function disorders, the recommended initial dose is 10 mg of citalopram per day for the first two weeks of treatment. Patients with liver function disorders should not take more than 20 mg of citalopram per day.
Caution is recommended in patients with severe liver function disorders, and the dose should be increased with special caution.
No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with mild or moderate kidney function disorders. It is not recommended to use citalopram in patients with severe kidney function disorders (creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min), as there is no experience in this area.
Use of Citabax in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age)
Citabax should not be used in children and adolescents. Additional information is also provided in section 2 "Important information before taking Citabax".
Method of administration
Citabax is taken once a day, in a single dose.
Citabax can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. The tablet should be swallowed with water. Do not chew (the tablets have a bitter taste).
Duration of treatment
As with other medicines used to treat depression, the antidepressant effect is achieved after 2 to 4 weeks of treatment. Therefore, the patient should continue taking Citabax, even if they do not feel improvement at first.
In the treatment of anxiety disorders with agoraphobia and without agoraphobia, the maximum effect is achieved after about three months of treatment.
The duration of treatment varies from patient to patient. Therapy usually lasts at least six months.
Treatment should be continued for as long as the doctor recommends, even if the patient feels better. The disease may persist for a long time, and if treatment is stopped too early, symptoms may return.
Discontinuation reactions after stopping treatment with Citabax:
see below in the section "Discontinuing Citabax".
In case of suspected overdose, the patient should immediately consult a doctor or the emergency department of the nearest hospital, even if there are no symptoms or signs of poisoning. The patient should bring the packaging of Citabax with them.
Symptoms of overdose may include irregular heartbeat, seizures, changes in heart rhythm, nausea (nausea), vomiting, sweating, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, rapid heartbeat, tremors, changes in blood pressure, serotonin syndrome (see section 4), agitation, dizziness, dilated pupils, cyanosis of the skin, rapid breathing, hyperventilation, changes in ECG, cardiac arrest, muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis).
If the patient forgets to take a dose, they should take the next dose at the usual time. The patient should not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
If the patient wants to stop treatment, they should first discuss it with their doctor. If necessary, the doctor will take appropriate action. The patient should not stop taking Citabax without consulting their doctor.
Discontinuation reactions after stopping treatment with Citabax:
The patient should avoid abrupt discontinuation of treatment. When stopping Citabax, the dose should be gradually reduced over a period of at least one to two weeks to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
In case of very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after dose reduction or discontinuation of the medicinal product, the patient should consider re-taking the last dose and then reducing it in smaller steps according to the doctor's instructions.
In case of any further doubts about the use of Citabax, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Citabax can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Side effects usually disappear after a few weeks of treatment. It should be remembered that some of these side effects may also be symptoms of the disease and will disappear as the patient's condition improves.
Other possible side effects (severe side effects are listed above):
Very common side effects (occurring in more than 1 in 10 patients):
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients):
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 patients):
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 patients):
Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
There have been reports of suicidal thoughts and behaviors during treatment with Citabax or shortly after its discontinuation (see section "Warnings and precautions").
After the medicine was placed on the market, there have been reports of QT interval prolongation, mainly in patients with pre-existing heart disease.
In patients treated with this group of medicines, an increased risk of fractures has been observed.
Discontinuation reactions after stopping treatment with Citabax:
Discontinuation reactions often occur after treatment is stopped. The most commonly reported discontinuation reactions are dizziness, sensation disturbances (including paresthesia), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), agitation or anxiety, nausea and/or vomiting, tremors, disorientation, sweating, headache, diarrhea, palpitations, emotional instability, irritability, and vision disturbances. Generally, these symptoms are mild to moderate, but in some patients, they may also be severe. They usually occur within the first few days after treatment is stopped. Generally, these symptoms resolve on their own within two weeks. In some patients, they may persist for longer. Therefore, it is recommended to gradually reduce the dose when treatment is no longer necessary (see section 2 "Important information before taking Citabax" and section 3 "How to take Citabax").
If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should tell their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products
Al. Jerozolimskie 181C
02-222 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 49 21 301
Fax: +48 22 49 21 309
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
By reporting side effects, it is possible to gather more information on the safety of the medicine.
The medicine should be stored out of sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and blister.
The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
There are no special precautions for storage.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.
Citabax 10
White or almost white tablets, round, biconvex. On one side, they have the inscription "10".
Citabax 20
White or almost white tablets, round, biconvex. On one side, they have the inscription "20", and a score line on the other side.
Citabax 40
White or almost white tablets, round, biconvex. On one side, they have the inscription "40", and a score line on the other side.
Citabax is available in packs of 14, 28, or 56 coated tablets.
Ranbaxy (Poland) Sp. z o. o.
ul. Idzikowskiego 16
00-710 Warsaw
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe B.V.
Polarisavenue 87
2132 JH Hoofddorp,
Netherlands
To obtain more detailed information about this medicine, the patient should contact the marketing authorization holder.
Ranbaxy (Poland) Sp. z o. o.
ul. Idzikowskiego 16
00-710 Warsaw
phone: +48 22 642 07 75
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