Citalopram Dosing

For most people who are being treated for depression with citalopram, dosing usually starts at 20 mg once a day. If depression symptoms continue or if side effects develop with the medication, your healthcare provider may adjust your dosage accordingly. The maximum daily dose of citalopram is 60 mg.

Citalopram Dosing: An Introduction

The dose of citalopram hydrobromide (Celexa®) that your healthcare provider prescribes will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may currently be taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your citalopram dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Citalopram Dosing for Depression

The recommended starting citalopram dose for people with depression is 20 mg once daily. Your healthcare provider may choose to increase the citalopram dosage if symptoms continue or decrease the dose if side effects occur. The maximum recommended dose of citalopram is 60 mg once daily, although doses above citalopram 40 mg are generally not recommended (because 60 mg has not been shown to be more effective than 40 mg).
 
Elderly people and those with liver problems may start with citalopram 20 mg once daily. The citalopram dose (in this situation) should be increased only if necessary.
 

General Information on Dosing With Citalopram

Some considerations for people taking citalopram include:
 
 
  • It usually takes several weeks (perhaps even more than a month) before feeling the beneficial effects of citalopram. Try not to be discouraged if the medication does not work right away for you.
     
  • If citalopram makes you drowsy, try taking your dosage before bedtime. If it causes insomnia for you, try taking it in the morning.
     
  • You can take the medication with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • Citalopram should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
     
  • Abruptly stopping medications like citalopram can result in withdrawal symptoms (see Citalopram Withdrawal for more information).
     
  • For citalopram to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. The antidepressant will not work if you take it differently than your healthcare provider prescribes.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to citalopram or your citalopram dosage, please talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
     

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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