How to Use Citalopram & B Complex Vitamins Together

Citalopram is a prescription medication for the treatment of depression, and is sold under the brand names Celexa and Cipramil. This drug is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI antidpressant, which works by balancing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotinin is a neurotransmitter that signals changes in the brain that affect mood. Increased levels of serotonin may help decrease depression and related symptoms. B-vitamins are essential nutrients that play a role in the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters that affect the brain. Consult a doctor about taking medications and vitamin supplements together for depression.

Consult your primary care physician about treatment for depression. Your doctor will prescribe medications if necessary. Discuss also taking vitamin B-complex supplements to improve mood. A blood test can determine whether a nutrient deficiency is causing or worsening depression symptoms. Even if you are not deficient, a vitamin supplement may help improve depression and general well-being.

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Take the prescription drug citalopram once a day in the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Consume the tablet or liquid solution form of this medicine with or without food. Ingest citalopram exactly as directed and take it at the same time every day.

Continue using citalopram for the duration prescribed by your doctor. It may take one to four weeks before you begin to notice the benefits of this medication. Do not cease taking citalopram unless instructed to do so by your doctor, as this may cause sudden withdrawal symptoms including mood swings, anxiety, dizziness and confusion. Your doctor will stop this medication gradually as necessary.

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Take a vitamin B-complex supplement once a day as directed on the product label. Ingest this supplement with or without food. It is best to take it early in the day as B-vitamins can help increase energy levels.The nutrients in the complex include vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6 and folate, which improve brain function and neurotransmitter production. Low levels of these vitamins may be linked to depression symptoms.

Tips

Depression is a complex disorder, and treatments are tailored to individuals' symptoms and health. Citalopram may not be suitable for all individuals; talk to your doctor if your depression symptoms do not improve while taking this medication as prescribed. A vitamin B-complex supplement can be taken separately or at the same time as citalopram.

Warnings

Citalopram can cause adverse side effects. Report any side effects to your doctor. These include drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramping, and shaking or tremors. Do not take more than the recommended dosage of vitamin B-complex; excess vitamins can be toxic in some cases.