CITALOPRAM PENSA 20 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

Citalopram Pensa 20 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the pack

1. What Citalopram Pensa is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Citalopram Pensa
3. How to take Citalopram Pensa
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Citalopram Pensa
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Citalopram Pensa is and what it is used for

Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and belongs to a group of medicines known as antidepressants. These medicines help to correct certain chemical imbalances in the brain that cause the symptoms of your illness.

Citalopram Pensa is indicated for the treatment of:

• Depression and prevention of relapses and recurrences.
• Anxiety disorder with or without agoraphobia.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

2. What you need to know before you take Citalopram Pensa

Do not take Citalopram Pensa

-If you are allergic to citalopram or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

-If you are taking other medicines that belong to a group called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). MAOIs include medicines such as phenelzine, iproniazide, isocarboxazide, nialamide, tranylcypromine, selegiline (used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease), moclobemide (used for the treatment of depression) and linezolid (an antibiotic).

• If you have been born with any type of heart rhythm disorder or have ever suffered from any episode of this type (this is observed with an electrocardiogram; a test that serves to evaluate how the heart works).
• If you are taking medicines because you suffer from a disease that alters the heart rhythm.
• If you are taking medicines that may affect the heart rhythm.
• Also, consult the section "Use of Citalopram Pensa with other medicines" which is below.

Even if you have finished treatment with MAOIs, you will need to wait 2 weeks before starting your treatment with Citalopram Pensa.

A day must have passed since you took moclobemide.

After finishing with Citalopram Pensa, a week must pass before taking any MAOI.

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take Citalopram Pensa.

Please inform your doctor if you have any other condition or disease as your doctor may need to take it into consideration. In particular, inform your doctor:

• If you have manic episodes or anxiety disorder
• If you suffer from liver or kidney failure. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose.
• If you suffer from diabetes. Treatment with Citalopram Pensa may alter glucose control. You may need an adjustment of the insulin dose and/or oral hypoglycemics.
• If you suffer from epilepsy. Treatment with Citalopram Pensa should be suspended if seizures occur or if there is an increase in the frequency of seizures (see also section 4 "Possible side effects").
• If you suffer from any type of bleeding disorder (history of bleeding disorders), or if you are pregnant (see "Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility").
• If you have a decreased level of sodium in the blood.
• If you are receiving electroconvulsive treatment.
• If you suffer from or have suffered any heart problem or have recently suffered a heart attack.
• If your heart beats slowly when you are at rest (this is known as bradycardia) and/or you think your body may be losing salt, for example because you have had intense diarrhea and vomiting for several days or because you have used diuretics (medicines to urinate).
• If you have noticed that your heartbeats are fast or irregular or have fainted or felt dizzy when getting up from a sitting or lying position. This could indicate that you have some heart rhythm disorder.
• If you have a problem with the dilation of the eye pupils (mydriasis).

Consult your doctor, even if any of the above circumstances have occurred to you at some point.

Some patients with manic-depressive illness may enter a manic phase. This is characterized by a change of ideas that is uncommon and rapid, disproportionate joy, and excessive physical activity. If you experience this, contact your doctor.

Symptoms such as restlessness or difficulty sitting or standing (akathisia) may also occur during the first weeks of treatment. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.

Some medicines in the group to which Citalopram Pensa belongs (called SSRIs) may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction (see section 4). In some cases, these symptoms persist after treatment is discontinued.

Special information related to your illness

Like other medicines used to treat depression or related illnesses, improvement is not achieved immediately. After starting treatment with Citalopram Pensa, it may take several weeks before you experience any improvement.

In the treatment of anxiety disorder, it usually takes 2-4 weeks before any improvement is observed.

At the start of treatment, some patients may experience an increase in anxiety, which will disappear with continued treatment. Therefore, it is very important that you follow your doctor's instructions exactly and do not interrupt treatment or change the dose without consulting your doctor.

Suicidal thoughts and worsening of your depression or anxiety disorder

If you are depressed and/or suffer from an anxiety disorder, you may occasionally have thoughts of harming yourself or taking your own life. These may increase when taking antidepressants for the first time, as all these medicines require time to start taking effect, usually around two weeks, although in some cases it may be longer.

You would be more likely to have these types of thoughts:

• If you have previously had thoughts of taking your own life or harming yourself.
• If you are a young adult. Information from clinical trials has shown an increased risk of suicidal behavior in young adults (under 25 years) with psychiatric illnesses who were treated with an antidepressant.

If at any time you have thoughts of harming yourself or taking your own life, contact your doctor or go directly to a hospital.

It may be helpful for you to tell a relative or close friend that you are depressed or have an anxiety disorder and ask them to read this leaflet. You can ask them if they think your depression or anxiety disorder has worsened, or if they are concerned about changes in your behavior.

Children and adolescents

Citalopram Pensa should not normally be used in the treatment of children and adolescents under 18 years. At the same time, you should know that in patients under 18 years, there is a greater risk of adverse effects such as suicidal attempts, suicidal ideas, and hostility (predominantly aggression, confrontational behavior, and irritation) when taking this class of medicines. Nevertheless, the doctor who corresponds to you may prescribe Citalopram Pensa to patients under 18 years when they decide that it is the most convenient for the patient. If the doctor who corresponds to you has prescribed Citalopram Pensa to a patient under 18 years and you want to discuss this decision, please go back to your doctor. You should inform your doctor if any of the symptoms described above progress or if you experience complications when patients under 18 years are taking Citalopram Pensa. At the same time, the long-term effects on safety and related to growth, maturity, and cognitive and behavioral development of Citalopram Pensa in this age group have not yet been demonstrated.

Use of Citalopram Pensa with other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used, or might use any other medicines.

Some medicines can affect the action of others and this can sometimes cause serious adverse reactions.

Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

• Non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) containing phenelzine, iproniazide, isocarboxazide, nialamide, and tranylcypromine as active substances. If you have taken any of these medicines, you should wait 14 days before starting to take Citalopram Pensa. After finishing treatment with Citalopram Pensa, you should wait 7 days before taking any of these medicines.
• Reversible MAO-A inhibitors containing moclobemide (used for the treatment of depression).
• The antibiotic linezolid.
• Lithium (used for the prophylaxis and treatment of manic-depressive disorder) and tryptophan.
• Imipramine and desipramine (both used to treat depression).
• Irreversible MAO-B inhibitors containing selegiline (used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease); these increase the risk of adverse effects. The dose of selegiline should not exceed 10 mg per day.
• Metoprolol (used for high blood pressure and/or heart disease); the blood levels of metoprolol are increased but no signs of increased effect or adverse effects of metoprolol have been observed.
• Sumatriptan and similar medicines (used to treat migraine) and tramadol (used for severe pain) increase the risk of adverse effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms using this combination, you should see your doctor.
• Cimetidine, lansoprazole, and omeprazole when used at high doses (used to treat stomach ulcers); fluconazole (used to treat fungal infections), fluvoxamine (antidepressant), and ticlopidine (used to reduce the risk of cerebrovascular accidents). The levels of citalopram in the blood may be increased, but no increase in adverse effects of Citalopram Pensa has been reported.
• Medicines that affect platelet function (for example, some antipsychotic drugs, acetylsalicylic acid (used for pain), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (used for arthritis); slightly increase the risk of bleeding disorders.
• St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) (a herbal remedy used for depression); concomitant administration with Citalopram Pensa may increase the risk of adverse effects.
• Mefloquine (used to treat malaria), bupropion (used to treat depression), and tramadol (used to treat severe pain) due to a possible risk of decreasing the threshold for seizures.
• Neuroleptics (medicines for treating schizophrenia, psychosis), due to a possible risk of decreasing the threshold for seizures, and antidepressants.
• Antiarrhythmic drugs class IA and III, antipsychotics (e.g., phenothiazine derivatives, pimozide, haloperidol), tricyclic antidepressants, certain antimicrobials (sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin, erythromycin IV, pentamidine, medicines against malaria, particularly halofantrine), certain antihistamines (astemizole, mizolastine).
• Medicines that decrease potassium or magnesium levels in the blood, as this increases the risk of heart rhythm disorders, which pose a risk to life.

Do not take Citalopram Pensa if you are taking medicines because you already suffer from a disease that alters the heart rhythm or if you are taking medicines that may affect the heart rhythm. If you have doubts about this, consult your doctor.

Taking Citalopram Pensa with food, drinks, and alcohol

Citalopram Pensa can be taken with or without food (see section 3. "How to take Citalopram Pensa").

It has been observed that Citalopram Pensa does not increase the effects of alcohol. However, it is advisable to avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medicine.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine. Pregnant women should not normally take Citalopram Pensa, nor should mothers breastfeed their babies while taking this medicine, unless you and your doctor have analyzed the risks and benefits involved.

If you take Citalopram Pensa in the final stage of pregnancy, there may be a greater risk of abundant vaginal bleeding shortly after delivery, especially if you have a history of bleeding disorders. Your doctor or midwife should know that you are taking citalopram to be able to advise you.

If you take Citalopram Pensa during the last 3 months of your pregnancy and until the date of birth, be aware that the following effects may be observed in the newborn: breathing difficulties, blue skin, seizures, changes in body temperature, feeding difficulties, vomiting, low blood sugar, muscle stiffness or weakness, intense reflexes, tremors, restlessness, irritability, lethargy, constant crying, and difficulty sleeping. If your newborn has any of these symptoms, please contact your doctor immediately.

Citalopram passes into breast milk in small amounts. There is a risk of effects in the child. If you are taking Citalopram Pensa, inform your doctor before starting breastfeeding.

Make sure your midwife and/or doctor are informed that you are being treated with Citalopram Pensa. During pregnancy, particularly in the last 3 months, medicines like Citalopram Pensa may increase the risk of a serious disease in newborns, called persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), in which the baby breathes rapidly and turns blue. These symptoms usually start during the first 24 hours after birth. If they appear in your baby, you should contact your midwife and/or doctor immediately.

Citalopram has been shown to reduce sperm quality in animal models. This effect could theoretically affect fertility, but to date, its impact on human fertility has not been observed.

Driving and using machines

During treatment with Citalopram Pensa, you may feel drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate tools or machines until you know how the treatment with Citalopram Pensa affects you.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Citalopram Pensa

This medicine contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with them before taking this medicine.

3. How to Take Citalopram Pensa

Follow the administration instructions for this medication exactly as indicated by your doctor. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Citalopram Pensa is taken every day as a single daily dose.

The tablets can be taken at any time of day, regardless of meals.

The tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water. Do not chew them (they have a bitter taste).

Adults

Depression

The usual dose is 20 mg per day. This can be increased by your doctor up to a maximum of 40 mg per day.

Anxiety Disorder

The initial dose is 10 mg per day for the first week before increasing to 20-30 mg per day. This can be increased by your doctor up to a maximum of 40 mg per day.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

The initial dose is 20 mg per day. If necessary, your doctor may increase the dose up to a maximum of 40 mg per day.

Patient of Advanced Age(over 65 years)

In patients of advanced age, treatment should be started with half the recommended dose, for example, 10-20 mg per day. In general, patients of advanced age should not take more than 20 mg per day.

Patient with Hepatic Impairment:

Patient with liver problems should not receive more than 20 mg per day.

Caution is advised in patients with severe impairment of hepatic function. Clinical monitoring of these patients is required.

Patient with Renal Impairment:

The doctor may recommend a lower dose than usual.

Use in Children and Adolescents

Citalopram Pensa should not be administered to children or adolescents. For additional information, please see section 2.

Duration of Treatment

Like other medications for depression, anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, it may take several weeks before you notice any improvement. Continue taking Citalopram Pensa even if it takes some time before you feel any improvement in your condition.

Never change the dose of the medication without talking to your doctor first.

The duration of treatment is individual, generally at least 6 months. Continue taking the tablets for the time recommended by your doctor. Do not stop taking them even if you feel better, unless your doctor has indicated otherwise. The underlying disease may persist for a long period, and if you interrupt your treatment too early, your symptoms may reappear.

Patient with recurrent depression benefit from continued treatment, sometimes for several years, to prevent the occurrence of new depressive episodes.

If You Take More Citalopram Pensa Than You Should

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.

Do this even if you do not observe discomfort or signs of intoxication.

Some of the symptoms of an overdose may include irregular heartbeats with life risk, convulsions, changes in heart rhythm, drowsiness, coma, vomiting, tremors, decrease in blood pressure, increase in blood pressure, nausea (feeling dizzy), serotonin syndrome (see section 4. "Possible Side Effects"), agitation, dizziness, dilated pupils, sweating, blue-tinged skin, hyperventilation (increased respiratory rate).

If You Miss a Dose of Citalopram Pensa

If you miss a dose, take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses.

If You Interrupt Treatment with Citalopram Pensa

Do not stop taking Citalopram Pensa until your doctor tells you to do so. When you have completed your treatment period, it is generally recommended that the dose of Citalopram Pensa be gradually reduced over several weeks.

Sudden withdrawal of the medication (may produce some mild or transient disorders such as dizziness, tingling sensation, sleep disturbances (intense dreams, nightmares, inability to sleep), feeling of anxiety, headache, feeling of dizziness (nausea), vomiting, sweating, feeling of restlessness or agitation, tremors, feeling of confusion or disorientation, feelings of emotion or irritation, diarrhea (loose stools), visual disturbances, rapid or palpitations).

When you have finished your treatment period, it is generally recommended that the dose of Citalopram Pensa be reduced gradually over a couple of weeks instead of being stopped abruptly.

If you have any other doubts about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this medication can produce side effects, although not all people suffer from them.

Side effects usually disappear after a few weeks of treatment. Please note that many of the effects can also be symptoms of your disease and will therefore improve when you start to feel better.

Some patients have reported the following serious side effects.

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should stop taking Citalopram Pensa and see your doctor immediately.

• High fever, agitation, confusion, tremors, and sudden muscle contractions; may be signs of a rare condition called serotonin syndrome, which has been reported with the combined use of antidepressants.
• If you notice swelling of the skin, tongue, lips, or face, or have difficulty breathing or swallowing (allergic reaction).
• Unusual bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding.

Rare but Serious Side Effects (May Affect up to 1 in 1,000 People):

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should stop taking Citalopram Pensa and see your doctor immediately.

• Hyponatremia: low sodium level in the blood, which can cause fatigue, confusion, and muscle contraction.
• Rapid and irregular heartbeats or feeling of fainting, as they could be symptoms of a serious heart problem known as torsade de pointes.

The following side effects are generally mild and usually disappear after a few days of treatment. Please be aware that several of the effects mentioned below can be symptoms of your disease and will therefore improve when you start to feel better.

If the side effects are bothersome or last longer than a few days, consult your doctor.

Dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay. Therefore, you should brush your teeth more often than usual.

Very Common Side Effects (May Affect More Than 1 in 10 People):

• Drowsiness.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Increased sweating.
• Dry mouth.
• Nausea (feeling dizzy).
• Headache.

Common Side Effects (May Affect up to 1 in 10 People):

• Decreased appetite.
• Agitation.
• Decreased sexual behavior.
• Anxiety.
• Nervousness.
• Confusional state.
• Abnormal dreams.
• Tremors.
• Tingling or numbness of hands or feet.
• Dizziness.
• Attention disturbance.
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Constipation.
• Rash.
• Muscle and joint pain.
• Men may experience problems with ejaculation and erection.
• Women may experience difficulty reaching orgasm.
• Fatigue.
• Itching of the skin.
• Weight loss.

Uncommon Side Effects (May Affect up to 1 in 100 People):

• Bleeding disorders (easy bruising).
• Increased appetite.
• Aggressiveness.
• Depersonalization.
• Hallucinations.
• Mania.

• Fainting.
• Dilated pupils.
• Rapid heartbeats.
• Slow heartbeats.
• Hives.
• Hair loss.
• Skin rash.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Difficulty urinating.
• Excessive menstrual bleeding.
• Swelling of arms and legs.
• Weight gain.

Rare Side Effects (May Affect up to 1 in 1,000 People):

• Seizures.
• Involuntary movements.
• Taste disturbances.
• Bleeding.
• Hepatitis.
• Fever.

Frequency Not Known (Cannot Be Estimated from the Available Data):

• Thoughts of self-harm or thoughts of suicide, see also the section "Warnings and Precautions".
• Decrease in platelet count in the blood, which increases the risk of bleeding or bruising.
• Hypersensitivity (rash).
• Severe allergic reaction that causes difficulty breathing or dizziness.
• Increased amount of urine excreted.
• Hypokalemia: low potassium level in the blood, which can cause muscle weakness, contractions, or abnormal heart rhythm.
• Panic attack.
• Teeth grinding.
• Restlessness.
• Abnormal muscle movements or stiffness.
• Akathisia (involuntary muscle movements).
• Visual disturbances.
• Low blood pressure.
• Nosebleeds.
• Bleeding disorders, including bleeding of the skin and mucous membranes (ecchymosis).
• Sudden swelling of the skin or mucous membranes.
• Painful erections.
• Milk flow in men and in women who are not breastfeeding.
• Irregular menstrual period.
• Abnormal liver function tests.
• Orthostatic hypotension (significant drop in blood pressure that occurs when an individual stands up).
• An increased risk of bone fractures has been observed in patients treated with this type of medication.
• Abnormal heart rhythm.
• Excessive vaginal bleeding shortly after childbirth (postpartum hemorrhage), see "Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Fertility" in section 2 for more information.

If you experience side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a side effect not listed in this prospectus.

Reporting of Side Effects:

If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible side effect not listed in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medication.

5. Conservation of Citalopram Pensa

Store below 25 ºC.

Keep this medication out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medication after the expiration date shown on the packaging. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

Medications should not be disposed of through wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point in the pharmacy. In case of doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medications you no longer need. This way, you will help protect the environment.

6. Package Contents and Additional Information

Composition of Citalopram Pensa 20 mg.

• The active ingredient is citalopram (as hydrobromide). Each film-coated tablet contains 20 mg of citalopram (as hydrobromide).
• The other ingredients are:

Core components: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, sodium croscarmellose, cornstarch, glycerol (E-422), copovidone, magnesium stearate.

Coating components: Sepifilm® 752 white (hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyoxyethylene 40 stearate, titanium dioxide (E-171)).

Appearance of the Product and Package Contents

Citalopram Pensa 20 mg film-coated tablets are presented in the form of oval, biconvex, white, and scored tablets, in packages containing 14, 28, or 56 tablets.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Towa Pharmaceutical, S.A.

C/ de Sant Martí, 75-97

08107 Martorelles (Barcelona)

Spain

Manufacturer

Polpharma Pharmaceutical Works S.A.

83-200 Starogard Gdanski

19, Pelpinska Street

Poland

This prospectus was revised in November 2020

Detailed and updated information on this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/