Citalopram is part of a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or
SSRIs for short. SSRIs, such as citalopram, act on a specific chemical within the brain known as serotonin. Serotonin is one of several chemicals used to send messages from one nerve cell to another.
As a message travels down a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release serotonin. The serotonin enters the gap between the first nerve cell and the one next to it. When enough serotonin reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell and the message continues on its way. The first cell then quickly absorbs any serotonin that remains in the gap between cells. This is called "reuptake."
Normally, this process works without any problems. When the levels of serotonin become unbalanced, however, it can cause a variety of conditions, including
depression. Citalopram helps to block the reuptake of serotonin so more serotonin remains in the space between the brain's nerve cells. This gives the serotonin a better chance of activating the receptors on the next nerve cell.
Is Citalopram Used for Children?
Citalopram is not approved for use in children with depression. Two studies looked at using citalopram for
childhood depression, but these studies did not show that the medication was effective in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using citalopram in children with depression.
Is Citalopram Used Off-Label?
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend citalopram for treating something other than depression. This is called an "
off-label" use. At this time, there are several off-label citalopram uses, including the treatment of the following conditions:
Also, since citalopram is not approved for use in children, using the medicine for any purpose in children is considered an off-label use.
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