Citalopram advisory
November 4, 2011
THE Therapeutic Goods
Administration has issued new
advice that depression treatment
citalopram should not be used at
doses greater than 40mg per day.
The move follows a recent study
by the Forest Research Institute in
the USA has found that higher
doses of the medication can cause
abnormal changes in the electrical
activity of the heart.
“In rare cases these changes can
result in serious heart problems,”
the TGA said.
The new maximum daily
recommended dose is now just
20mg for patients over 65 years of
age, or who have reduced liver
function or are taking medicines
such as cimetidine or omeprazole
which interfere with the
metabolism of citalopram.
In addition, patients who have
been diagnosed with a heart
condition called “congenital long
QT syndrome” should not take
citalopram at all, the TGA said.
Users of the medication are
advised to consult their doctor
before discontinuing citalopram.
There are also new monitoring
recommendations for patients on
citalopram, including more
frequent ECGs and monitoring of
magnesium levels.
The Product Information for all
citalopram products will be
updated with the findings of the
study and the recommendations,
and health professionals are urged
to report adverse citalopram
reactions to help the TGA continue
to monitor the situation.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 04 Nov 11To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 04 Nov 11
