Does Citalopram come in 15mg formulation? (3+ standard doses)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will explore the medication doses of Citalopram and what doses are used to manage which conditions.
Does Citalopram come in 15mg?
Citalopram (Celexa) does not come in a 15mg formulation. Citalopram is available in tablet and liquid formulations of various strengths. However, there is no standard 15mg dosage of this medication available in the market (1,2).
Citalopram is a well-prescribed medication for the treatment of various mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. The standard doses of Citalopram include the following (1,2,3):
- Citalopram 10mg oral tablets
- Citalopram 20mg oral tablets
- Citalopram 2mg/ml oral solution
- Citalopram 40mg/ml oral drops
What does research suggest?
A study examining the treatment outcomes for depression with Citalopram found that the optimal remission dosage of Citalopram is 41.8mg/day in most adults (4).
A review study on the pharmacological and clinical effects of Citalopram suggested that doses ranging from 10 to 40mg of this medication are generally safe and less associated with side effects in most individuals. It also indicated that Citalopram was effective in preventing relapse in depression when taken at doses of 20mg, 40mg, and 60mg daily, for about six months (5).
Furthermore, the study provided the following recommended doses for specific conditions (5):
- Depression disorder – 20-40mg
- Panic disorders – 10-60mg
- Adult obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – 20-60mg
- Childhood and adolescent OCD – 10-40mg
- Open social phobia – 40mg
What factors influence Citalopram dosing?
The dosing of Citalopram, like many medications, can be influenced by several factors including:
- Medical condition – The nature and severity of the condition being treated play a significant role in determining the appropriate dose.
- Individual response – Individuals respond differently to medications. Some may require higher doses or lower doses depending on how the body metabolizes and responds to the medication.
- Age – Different age groups require different dosages for certain conditions.
- Weight – In some cases, weight influences the dosage.
- Concurrent medications – Some medications may interact with Citalopram which may influence the appropriate dosage.
- Liver and kidney function – Citalopram is metabolised by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Impaired liver or kidney function can influence the medication’s dosage.
- Side effects – If a patient experiences significant side effects at a particular dose, their doctor may adjust the dosage to minimize side effects.
What are the considerations for dosing Citalopram?
Citalopram is available only by prescription. Your healthcare provider will determine the dosage for your treatment plan by conducting a comprehensive assessment of your specific medical condition to establish the optimal effective dose.
Prior to commencing treatment with this medication, your healthcare provider will provide you with information on Citalopram, its mechanism of action and the expected side effects.
In most cases, your doctor will initiate your Citalopram treatment with a 10mg tablet at a low dose and then adjust it typically to 20mg or 40mg, based on your individual needs and your response to the medication (1).
Nevertheless, it is crucial to maintain regular and open communication with your healthcare provider to optimize your treatment with this medication.
It is noteworthy to acknowledge that Citalopram takes time to become effective, so it is essential to be patient when starting your treatment with this medication (5).
What are the alternatives to 15mg of Citalopram?
While there is no 15mg standard dose of Citalopram, your healthcare provider might consider one of the following options as an alternative:
- The liquid formulation – The liquid formulation of Citalopram allows for a more precise dosage adjustment.
- Compounding formulation – In certain situations, your pharmacist may prepare a custom dosage to suit your specific needs.
- Your healthcare provider may also recommend switching you to a different antidepressant that will better suit your needs such as Bupropion.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored whether Citalopram comes in 15mg and how to optimize dosage while using this medication.
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