Why does Citalopram cause side effects?
Citalopram is a drug used to treat depression. It belongs to the group of drugs that intervene in the system of messenger substances in our brain. It is one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Messenger substances are also generally referred to as transmitters. Serotonin is one of the most important messenger substances in our body. This substance takes over many functions in the brain/nerve system, cardiovascular system and in the gastrointestinal tract.
The latest research shows that it is also responsible for mood. The drug citalopram now prevents the absorption of serotonin into the nerve cells. This increases its concentration in the extracellular space.
The increased serotonin can now act more strongly via certain receptors. In the treatment of depression, the increased serotonin has a mood-lifting and stimulating effect. However, the increased serotonin concentration also has an effect on the entire body, so that some side effects typical for this group of drugs can occur.
The initial increase in drive can lead to sleep disorders and nervousness in patients. In addition, the newly acquired drive increases the risk of suicide in depressed patients. Since serotonin also occurs in the stomach, complaints can also occur there.
Typical side effects are nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite and diarrhoea. Occasional bleeding may occur, especially if no stomach protection tablets are taken in addition. Another known side effect is an increased incidence of caries, as the drug leads to a dry mouth and thus changes the oral flora.
Side effects after discontinuing citalopram
Drugs used to treat depression should not be discontinued suddenly. This can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. The reason for this is that citalopram increases the serotonin level by blocking the transporters for reabsorption of the messenger substance into the nerve cell.
The receptors also change their sensitivity after several weeks of intake. They become less sensitive to serotonin because the supply of the messenger substance is so great. When the drug is finally discontinued, the concentration of serotonin drops suddenly because the cell is able to absorb more serotonin again.
It takes several weeks to form new receptors in order to react more sensitively to the low concentration. The changes at receptor level first have to be readjusted. Initially, an imbalance develops, which leads to the typical symptoms when the drug is discontinued.
These side effects are also known as withdrawal symptoms. This is a normal process that the body goes through during the time it takes to get used to conditions without taking the drug again. They occur about 24 hours after stopping the medication.
The term SSRI discontinuation syndrome covers a variety of symptoms. There are side effects such as sensory disturbances, twitching, mood swings and sexual dysfunction. Withdrawal symptoms can be avoided in many cases by gradually discontinuing citalopram. This phasing out takes place within several weeks and the body is given time to get used to lower and lower doses of the drug.
