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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Citalopram Safe While Suffering From Disturbed Sleep?

My 93 year old mother has been prescribed !0mg citalopram .She is suffering from depression/possible dementia .She is already having disturbed nights and I am worried the medication will make this worse. She also has low sodium and her levels will have to be checked next week.
Tue, 9 Jun 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Citalopram is a SSRI drug and its 10 mg doses are safe doses for depression considering her age. But the drug can cause sleep problems and it is known to worsen sleep in some individuals, so there is risk that the medicine would make her sleep worse. Secondly other SSRI drug like Sertraline can prove better option for her. The drug can be prescribed even in elderly and it is an approved drug for use in elderly. The drug doesn't cause insomnia instead help in good sleep. You can discuss with her doctor for prescription of this drug. The drug wouldn't affect the serum sodium levels also.

Thanks. I hope this helps you. Take care
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Is Citalopram Safe While Suffering From Disturbed Sleep?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Citalopram is a SSRI drug and its 10 mg doses are safe doses for depression considering her age. But the drug can cause sleep problems and it is known to worsen sleep in some individuals, so there is risk that the medicine would make her sleep worse. Secondly other SSRI drug like Sertraline can prove better option for her. The drug can be prescribed even in elderly and it is an approved drug for use in elderly. The drug doesn t cause insomnia instead help in good sleep. You can discuss with her doctor for prescription of this drug. The drug wouldn t affect the serum sodium levels also. Thanks. I hope this helps you. Take care