Shop products for Citalopram 
Citalopram is used to treat mental depression and is in a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May be Beneficial: Side effect
reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or
severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication. |
Ginkgo biloba |
 Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements
or eating any of these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details. |
Lithium |
| Depletion or interference |
None known |
| Supportive interaction |
None known |
| Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability |
None known |
| Adverse interaction |
None known |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Lithium
Lithium is a mineral that may be present in some supplements and is also used in large amounts
to treat mood disorders such as manic-depression. Taking lithium at the same time as
citalopram can either increase the effectiveness of citalopram or increase the likelihood of
developing side effects.1 Therefore, people taking citalopram together with
lithium-containing supplements should contact their healthcare practitioner if they experience
side effects, such as nausea, dry mouth, or sleep disturbances.
Interactions with Herbs
Ginkgo
biloba
Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) may reduce the side effects experienced by
some persons taking SSRIs such as fluoxetine or sertraline. An open-label study with elderly, depressed persons
found that 200–240 mg of GBE daily was effective in alleviating sexual side effects in
both men and women taking SSRIs.2 One case study reported that 180–240 mg of
GBE daily reduced genital anaesthesia and sexual side effects secondary to fluoxetine use in a
37-year-old woman.3
References
1. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 1073–7.
2. Cohen AJ, Bartlik B. Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. J Sex Marital Therapy 1998;24:139–45.
3. Ellison JM, DeLuca P. Fluoxetine-induced genital anesthesia relieved by Ginkgo biloba extract. J Clin Psychiatry 1998;59:199–200.
