descriptionsCitalopram is an antidepressant medication that affects neurotransmitters the chemical transmitters within the brain. Neurotransmitters manufactured and released by nerves attach to adjacent nerves and alter their activities. Thus neurotransmitters can be thought of as the communication system of the brain. Many experts believe that an imbalance among neurotransmitters is the cause of depression. Citalopram works by preventing the uptake of one neurotransmitter serotonin by nerve cells after it has been released. Such uptake is an important mechanism for removing released neurotransmitters and terminating their actions on adjacent nerves. The reduced uptake caused by citalopram results in more free serotonin in the brain to stimulate nerve cells. Citalopram is in the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs a class that also contains fluoxetine Prozac paroxetine Paxil and sertraline Zoloft. Citalopram was approved by the FDA in July 1998.
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