CITALOPRAM

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Limited

Citalopram Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

266,799 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About CITALOPRAM

CITALOPRAM is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Limited. Based on analysis of 266,799 FDA adverse event reports, CITALOPRAM has a safety score of 82 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for CITALOPRAM include FATIGUE, NAUSEA, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, HEADACHE, DIARRHOEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for CITALOPRAM.

AI Safety Analysis

Citalopram has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 266,799 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Limited.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Fatigue, Nausea, Drug Ineffective. Of classified reports, 77.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Citalopram reports are predominantly serious, with 77.1% classified as such.

The most common reactions include fatigue, nausea, and drug ineffectiveness, indicating potential efficacy issues. Serious reactions such as death, completed suicide, and cardiac arrest are reported, highlighting significant safety concerns.

Patients taking Citalopram should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Citalopram can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to toxicity or increased side effects. Patients should avoid certain medications and inform their healthcare provider of all current medications. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Citalopram received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 77.1% serious event ratio across 133,479 classified reports. The score accounts for 266,799 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

FATIGUE8,932 reports
NAUSEA8,206 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE7,282 reports
HEADACHE6,655 reports
DIARRHOEA6,214 reports
PAIN5,895 reports
DIZZINESS5,702 reports
FALL5,601 reports
ANXIETY5,436 reports
DYSPNOEA5,339 reports
DEPRESSION5,213 reports
OFF LABEL USE5,153 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS5,060 reports
VOMITING4,948 reports
DRUG INTERACTION4,347 reports
COMPLETED SUICIDE4,338 reports
MALAISE4,245 reports
ASTHENIA4,131 reports
ARTHRALGIA3,889 reports
DEATH3,698 reports
INSOMNIA3,593 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE3,231 reports
SOMNOLENCE3,204 reports
RASH3,189 reports
PYREXIA3,166 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED3,155 reports
PNEUMONIA3,071 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY3,013 reports
TREMOR2,994 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED2,986 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED2,964 reports
OVERDOSE2,953 reports
BACK PAIN2,922 reports
CONSTIPATION2,829 reports
PRURITUS2,769 reports
DRUG ABUSE2,764 reports
COUGH2,706 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL2,678 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN2,654 reports
SUICIDAL IDEATION2,636 reports
HYPERTENSION2,622 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS2,608 reports
DECREASED APPETITE2,392 reports
HYPOTENSION2,358 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE2,263 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION2,154 reports
CHEST PAIN2,150 reports
ANAEMIA1,990 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,968 reports
SUICIDE ATTEMPT1,943 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER1,942 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS1,926 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT1,873 reports
AGITATION1,858 reports
PARAESTHESIA1,793 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY1,778 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA1,762 reports
RENAL FAILURE1,751 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY1,743 reports
HYPONATRAEMIA1,734 reports
INTENTIONAL OVERDOSE1,723 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS1,722 reports
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM QT PROLONGED1,698 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS1,673 reports
DEHYDRATION1,642 reports
ERYTHEMA1,627 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT1,620 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE1,610 reports
ASTHMA1,574 reports
SYNCOPE1,571 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED1,561 reports
MYALGIA1,550 reports
SEROTONIN SYNDROME1,493 reports
CARDIAC ARREST1,477 reports
ALOPECIA1,465 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS1,440 reports
FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY1,434 reports
PALPITATIONS1,423 reports
JOINT SWELLING1,408 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL1,376 reports
HALLUCINATION1,369 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION1,359 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING1,358 reports
BALANCE DISORDER1,355 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS1,348 reports
TACHYCARDIA1,325 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT1,322 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION1,290 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION1,284 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN1,281 reports
CONTUSION1,273 reports
VISION BLURRED1,250 reports
SEIZURE1,233 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE1,211 reports
MIGRAINE1,200 reports
COVID 191,192 reports
DISTURBANCE IN ATTENTION1,188 reports
PSORIASIS1,175 reports
DIABETES MELLITUS1,173 reports
URTICARIA1,157 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High percentage of serious adverse events (77.1%).
  • Multiple reports of suicidal ideation and attempts, especially in older adults.
  • Cardiac issues like QT prolongation and arrhythmias are noted.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 83,242, Male: 40,463, Unknown: 368. The most frequently reported age groups are age 58 (2,308 reports), age 57 (2,012 reports), age 55 (1,990 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 133,479 classified reports for CITALOPRAM:

  • Serious: 102,959 reports (77.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 30,520 reports (22.9%)
Serious 77.1%Non-Serious 22.9%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female83,242 (67.1%)
Male40,463 (32.6%)
Unknown368 (0.3%)

Reports by Age

Age 582,308 reports
Age 572,012 reports
Age 551,990 reports
Age 531,949 reports
Age 601,908 reports
Age 541,906 reports
Age 591,903 reports
Age 651,857 reports
Age 611,832 reports
Age 561,793 reports
Age 521,783 reports
Age 641,770 reports
Age 621,752 reports
Age 661,699 reports
Age 501,689 reports
Age 511,686 reports
Age 691,637 reports
Age 631,636 reports
Age 671,633 reports
Age 711,630 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Citalopram can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to toxicity or increased side effects. Patients should avoid certain medications and inform their healthcare provider of all current medications.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Citalopram, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include fatigue, nausea, drug ineffective, headache, diarrhoea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Inform your healthcare provider about any existing health conditions or medications you are taking before starting citalopram. Monitor for signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in the first few months of treatment. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor citalopram for safety, particularly regarding serious adverse events and drug interactions. Healthcare providers should be vigilant and consider alternative treatments for patients with a history of serious adverse reacti

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Citalopram?

The FDA has received approximately 266,799 adverse event reports associated with Citalopram. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Citalopram?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Citalopram include Fatigue, Nausea, Drug Ineffective, Headache, Diarrhoea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Fatigue (8,932 reports), Nausea (8,206 reports), Drug Ineffective (7,282 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Citalopram.

What percentage of Citalopram adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 133,479 classified reports, 102,959 (77.1%) were classified as serious and 30,520 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Citalopram (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Citalopram break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 83,242, Male: 40,463, Unknown: 368. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Citalopram?

The most frequently reported age groups for Citalopram adverse events are: age 58: 2,308 reports, age 57: 2,012 reports, age 55: 1,990 reports, age 53: 1,949 reports, age 60: 1,908 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Citalopram?

The primary manufacturer associated with Citalopram adverse event reports is Aurobindo Pharma Limited. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Citalopram?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Citalopram include: Pain, Dizziness, Fall, Anxiety, Dyspnoea. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Citalopram?

You can report adverse events from Citalopram to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Citalopram's safety score and what does it mean?

Citalopram has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Citalopram reports are predominantly serious, with 77.1% classified as such.

What are the key safety signals for Citalopram?

Key safety signals identified in Citalopram's adverse event data include: High percentage of serious adverse events (77.1%).. Multiple reports of suicidal ideation and attempts, especially in older adults.. Cardiac issues like QT prolongation and arrhythmias are noted.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Citalopram interact with other drugs?

Citalopram can interact with other drugs, potentially leading to toxicity or increased side effects. Patients should avoid certain medications and inform their healthcare provider of all current medications. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Citalopram.

What should patients know before taking Citalopram?

Inform your healthcare provider about any existing health conditions or medications you are taking before starting citalopram. Monitor for signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in the first few months of treatment.

Are Citalopram side effects well-documented?

Citalopram has 266,799 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The most common reactions include fatigue, nausea, and drug ineffectiveness, indicating potential efficacy issues. The volume of reports for Citalopram reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Citalopram?

The FDA continues to monitor citalopram for safety, particularly regarding serious adverse events and drug interactions. Healthcare providers should be vigilant and consider alternative treatments for patients with a history of serious adverse reacti For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to CITALOPRAM based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

SertralineFluoxetineEscitalopramParoxetineFluvoxamine
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.