Does Citalopram cause euphoria?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Citalopram cause euphoria?
Citalopram can rarely cause euphoria and you can rarely get high on this medication. Citalopram is an antidepressant and is not generally considered a substance of abuse (1).
However, it may make some people euphoric during the early course of their treatment with this antidepressant, but it is extremely rare and it goes away as your body adjusts to the med.
Citalopram is not one of those medications which can detach you from reality when you take too much of it (2). In fact, a high dose of Citalopram can make you feel miserable because of the side effects it causes and it doesn’t get you high.
However, taking a moderately high dose of Citalopram on a daily basis can make your body dependent on it. It doesn’t necessarily mean ‘addiction’, but the severity of this dependence varies.
In some cases, too much Citalopram has been known to cause abnormally increased serotonergic activity, which can give rise to a rare but life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome (3).
Make sure you don’t take a high dose of Citalopram thinking it’ll get you all high. This is not a typical scheduled drug and an overdose can cause dangerous side effects without actually making you feel ‘high’ at first.
In case of citalopram overdose, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. You may require immediate treatment to manage overdose symptoms. In some cases of citalopram or SSRI overdose, a serotonin antagonist like Cyproheptadine can be prescribed.
How is Citalopram different from drugs that cause euphoria?
Citalopram is an antidepressant medication that belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). (1,4)
Its primary purpose is to treat depression and anxiety disorders by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the brain. Citalopram works to balance the chemicals in the brain and improve mood. (1)
On the other hand, drugs that cause euphoria, often referred to as recreational drugs or stimulants like Adderall, have different mechanisms of action (5). These drugs directly stimulate the reward pathways in the brain, leading to feelings of intense pleasure and euphoria.
The key difference lies in the intended purpose and mechanism of action. Citalopram is prescribed to help individuals manage symptoms of depression and anxiety by addressing the underlying chemical imbalances in the brain (1).
It does not produce euphoria or a “high” because it does not directly stimulate the reward pathways like drugs of abuse do (5).
It’s important to note that recreational drugs can have significant risks and can be addictive. They can lead to various health problems, legal issues, and detrimental effects on overall well-being.
In contrast, Citalopram and other antidepressants are prescribed by healthcare professionals for specific therapeutic purposes and are not intended to be used recreationally.
Some examples of drugs that can induce euphoria
Some drugs that are known for causing euphoria include (5):
Opioids
Drugs such as Heroin, Morphine, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone can produce feelings of intense pleasure and euphoria. They work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, triggering a release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters associated with reward and pleasure.
Stimulants
Substances like Cocaine, Amphetamines (including illicit drugs like Methamphetamine), and certain prescription medications like Ritalin and Vyvanse can cause euphoria.
They stimulate the central nervous system, increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, leading to heightened energy, alertness, and pleasurable sensations.
Benzodiazepines
Drugs in this class, such as Xanax, Valium, and Ativan, are primarily prescribed for anxiety and sedation. They can induce a sense of relaxation and calmness, which may be perceived as euphoria by some individuals.
MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
This synthetic psychoactive drug has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. It can produce intense feelings of euphoria, empathy, and heightened sensory perception.
Cannabis
Marijuana, commonly known as weed or pot, can produce a sense of relaxation, euphoria, and altered perception. Its main psychoactive compound, THC, interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
It’s important to note that the use of these drugs for recreational purposes or without medical supervision can be illegal, dangerous, and harmful to both physical and mental health.
If you have concerns about substance use or are seeking more information, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional or addiction specialist.
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References
1.-
Sharbaf Shoar N, Fariba KA, Padhy RK. Citalopram. 2021 Dec 11. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29489221. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482222
2.-
Personne M, Sjöberg G, Persson H. Citalopram overdose–review of cases treated in Swedish hospitals. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1997;35(3):237-40. doi: 10.3109/15563659709001206. Erratum in: J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1997;35(5):577. PMID: 9140316. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9140316/
3.-
Simon LV, Keenaghan M. Serotonin Syndrome. 2022 Jul 19. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29493999. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482377
4.-
Chu A, Wadhwa R. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. 2023 May 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32119293. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406
5.-
Aro HJ, Hussain A, Bobrin BD. Controlled Substances. 2023 Apr 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32119270. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554383
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