citalopram doses should not exceed 40 mg/day for anyone...or 20 mg/day for most patients over age 60

October 2011

FDA now says citalopram doses should not exceed 40 mg/day for anyone...or 20 mg/day for most patients over age 60.

Higher doses of citalopram (Celexa, etc) increase the risk of QT prolongation and torsades.

Caution about using citalopram in patients at risk due to underlying cardiac disease or low serum potassium or magnesium.

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Table of Contents

Anticoagulants controversy over which ORAL anticoagulant to use to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation
Antidepressants citalopram doses should not exceed 40 mg/day for anyone...or 20 mg/day for most patients over age 60
Antidepressants Reps are filling up sample closets, hoping prescribers will use Deplin to improve the efficacy of antidepressants
Respiratory & Allergy chronic azithromycin to PREVENT recurrent COPD exacerbations
Influenza the same flu strains as last year, the first INTRADERMAL flu vaccine, and a new Tamiflu suspension
Opioids two new opioid formulations, Oxecta and Lazanda
Women's Health tighter and more aggressive control of hypothyroidism before and during pregnancy
Antipsychotics serious allergic reactions to the antipsychotic, Saphris (asenapine)
Cardiology MORE safety concerns with dronedarone (Multaq)
Geriatrics manage elderly dementia patients who have behavior issues
Corticosteroids whether hyperglycemia can occur with non-oral corticosteroids
Interactions Computer alerts about an interaction between oral potassium chloride (Micro-K, etc) and anticholinergics are causing confusion