Citalopram
Oropram 20 mg belongs to a group of antidepressant medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines are selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake in the brain and normalize the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Disorders in the serotonin system in the brain are considered a major indicator of the development of depression and related diseases.
Oropram 20 mg is used to treat depressive disorders and anxiety disorders with panic attacks with or without agoraphobia (fear of public places).
The doctor may recommend other uses. You should follow the doctor's recommendations.
The doctor will inform how to take Oropram 20 mg in case of stopping MAOIs (see "Other medicines and Oropram 20 mg").
Oropram 20 mg should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
When using antidepressant medicines, patients under 18 years of age are at increased risk of suicidal behavior, such as suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts, and hostility (especially aggression, rebellious behavior, and manifestations of anger). Nevertheless, the attending physician may prescribe Oropram 20 mg to patients under 18 years of age if they consider it to be in their best interest. If the doctor prescribes Oropram 20 mg to a patient under 18 years of age and any doubts arise, please consult a doctor. In case of development or worsening of the above-mentioned symptoms in patients under 18 years of age taking Oropram 20 mg, the attending physician should be informed. Additionally, there is a lack of data on the safety of long-term use of Oropram 20 mg in children and adolescents, and how it affects their growth, maturation, cognitive development, and behavioral development.
Medicines like Oropram 20 mg (so-called SSRIs or SNRIs) may cause sexual dysfunction (see section 4). In some cases, these symptoms persisted after discontinuation of treatment.
If the patient is suffering from depression or anxiety disorders, they may sometimes have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Such symptoms or behavior may worsen at the beginning of treatment with antidepressant medicines, as these medicines usually start working after 2 weeks, sometimes later.
The occurrence of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or suicidal behavior is more likely if:
If the patient experiences suicidal thoughts or self-harm, they should immediately contact their doctor or go to the hospital.
It may be helpful to inform relatives or friendsabout depression or anxiety disorders and ask them to read this leaflet. The patient may ask their relatives or friends for help and ask them to inform them if they notice that depression or anxiety has worsened or if there are any worrying changes in behavior.
In some patients, Oropram 20 mg may lead to the development of serotonin syndrome. If the following symptoms occur simultaneously, such as high fever, muscle tremors, shivering, confusion, or agitation, which may indicate the development of this syndrome, the doctor should be contacted immediately.
The doctor or pharmacist should be informed about all medicines currently being taken or recently taken, as well as any medicines the patient plans to take.
This should include medicines taken 14 days ago or those that will be taken in the future.
Oropram 20 mg should not be takenif the patient is taking medicines that regulate heart rhythm or may affect heart rhythm, such as: antiarrhythmic medicines of class IA and III, antipsychotic medicines (e.g., phenothiazine derivatives, pimozide, haloperidol), tricyclic antidepressant medicines, some antibacterial medicines (e.g., sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin, erythromycin IV, pentamidine, antimalarial medicines, especially halofantrine), some antihistamine medicines (astemizole, mizolastine). In case of doubts, the doctor should be consulted.
Oropram 20 mg can be taken with food or drinks. Alcohol consumption should be avoided.
If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, or thinks they may be pregnant or plans to have a child, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
Oropram 20 mg may be used during pregnancy only in clinically justified cases. The doctor should be informed that the patient may be pregnant or suspects they may be pregnant. Oropram 20 mg should not be taken if the patient is pregnant or plans to become pregnant, unless the doctor recommends otherwise, considering the risks and benefits of taking Oropram 20 mg. The medicine should not be stopped abruptly. The doctor and/or midwife should be informed about the use of Oropram 20 mg. Taking the medicine during pregnancy, especially in the last three months, may increase the risk of a serious condition in the child called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, characterized by breathing difficulties and bluish discoloration of the skin. These symptoms usually occur within the first 24 hours after birth. If such symptoms occur, the midwife and/or doctor should be contacted immediately.
If Oropram 20 mg is taken in the last 3 months of pregnancy, the doctor should be informed; in children after birth, certain symptoms may occur. These symptoms usually occur within 24 hours after birth and include: difficulty sleeping, feeding, breathing, bluish discoloration of the skin, fluctuations in body temperature, vomiting, constant crying, stiffness or flaccidity of muscles, lethargy, tremors, irritability, or seizures. If such symptoms occur in the child after birth, the doctor should be consulted immediately.
Taking the medicine at the end of pregnancy may increase the risk of severe bleeding from the uterus, occurring shortly after delivery, especially if the patient has a history of bleeding disorders. If the patient is taking Oropram 20 mg, they should inform their doctor or midwife so that they can provide appropriate advice.
Breastfeeding
Citalopram passes into breast milk in small amounts. There is a risk of affecting the child. When taking Oropram 20 mg, the doctor should be consulted before breastfeeding.
Fertility
In animal studies, citalopram has been shown to reduce sperm quality. This may theoretically affect fertility, although no effect on fertility has been observed in humans so far.
Oropram 20 mg may affect the ability to drive and use machines.
While taking the medicine, the patient should not drive vehicles or operate machines.
This medicine should always be taken as recommended by the doctor. Different people have different needs. Based on the patient's condition, the doctor will decide on the dose and duration of treatment. In case of doubts, the doctor or pharmacist should be consulted.
The recommended dose is:
The recommended initial dose is 20 mg per day. The doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 40 mg per day. Treatment should be continued for 4 to 6 months after the symptoms of the disease have disappeared.
In the first week of treatment, the initial dose is 10 mg per day, and then the dose may be increased to 20-30 mg per day. The doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 40 mg per day.
The initial dose should be reduced to half the recommended dose, e.g., 10-20 mg per day. Elderly patients should not take a dose higher than 20 mg per day.
Oropram 20 mg is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as the safety and efficacy have not been established.
A dose reduction is necessary. The doctor's recommendations should be followed.
Patients with liver function disorders should not take a dose higher than 20 mg per day.
Oropram 20 mg should be taken in a single dose in the morning or evening, with or without food. The tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water.
The doctor should be consulted before changing treatment or discontinuing Oropram 20 mg. See special warnings above.
In case of taking a higher dose than recommended in this leaflet or higher than prescribed by the doctor, the doctor, emergency department, or pharmacist should be contacted immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include: drowsiness, loss of consciousness, seizures, rapid or slow heartbeat, dizziness, arrhythmia (e.g., QT interval prolongation), low blood pressure, high blood pressure, tremors, fainting, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, agitation, high fever, cardiac arrest, dilated pupils, changes in mental state, bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen (cyanosis), hyperventilation. Serotonin syndrome may occur (see section 4), especially when taking other medicines.
If a dose of Oropram 20 mg is missed, the next dose should be taken at the scheduled time.
A double dose should not be taken to make up for the missed dose.
Oropram 20 mg should not be stopped abruptly, as this may cause symptoms such as dizziness, tingling, sleep disturbances, irritability, tremors, disorientation, headache, nausea, nervousness, anxiety, or increased sweating (and the possibility of return of suicidal thoughts in patients with a tendency).
These symptoms usually disappear within two weeks, but they may be severe or prolonged in case of high doses of Oropram 20 mg.
If the patient intends to discontinue Oropram 20 mg, they should ask their doctor for advice, as the medicine should be discontinued gradually and slowly over weeks or months. It is essential for the doctor to monitor the patient during this period.
In case of further doubts about the use of this medicine, the doctor or pharmacist should be consulted.
Like all medicines, Oropram 20 mg can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
During treatment with Oropram 20 mg, if any side effects occur, they usually occur within the first 8 to 14 days of treatment. Side effects usually disappear again.
In case of occurrence of any of the following symptoms, the patient should immediately stop taking Oropram 20 mg and inform their doctor or go to the nearest hospital:
The doctor or emergency department should be contactedin case of suicidal thoughts and behaviors during treatment with citalopram.
The following side effects are usually mild and disappear after a few days of treatment: nausea (vomiting), diarrhea, increased sweating, dry mouth, fatigue, insomnia, and drowsiness.
The following side effects have been reported in the given frequencies:
If any side effects occur, including any side effects not listed in the leaflet, the doctor or pharmacist should be informed.
Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Adverse Reaction Monitoring of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products: Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, tel.: +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.
Reporting side effects can help gather more information on the safety of the medicine.
The medicine should be stored out of sight and reach of children.
The medicine should not be taken after the expiry date stated on the packaging after: {Expiry date}. The expiry date refers to the last day of the given month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. The pharmacist should be asked how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.
The active substance of the medicine is citalopram hydrobromide in an amount equivalent to 20 mg of citalopram.
Other ingredients of the medicine are: mannitol (E 421), microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous colloidal silica, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E 171), macrogol 6000.
Round, white, biconvex, coated tablets with a score line on both sides and notches on the sides of the tablet, with a diameter of 8 mm.
Pack sizes: 10, 30, or 100 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
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Hafnerstraße 211
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Austria
Genericon Pharma Gesellschaft m.b.H.
Hafnerstrasse 211
A-8054 Graz, Austria
Dragenopharm Apotheker Püschl GmbH
Göllstrasse 1
84529 Tittmoning, Germany
Actavis Nordic A/S
Ørnegårdsvej 16
DK-2820 Gentofte, Denmark
Actavis Ltd
BLB016 Bulebel Industrial Estate
Zejtun ZTN 3000, Malta
Balkanpharma-Dupnitsa AD
3 Samokovsko Shosse Str.
Dupnitsa 2600, Bulgaria
Citalopram +pharma
Czech Republic
Citalopram Actavis tablets
Estonia, Lithuania
Oropram 20 mg, coated tablets
Poland
Date of last revision of the leaflet:March 2021
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