Citalopram is an antidepressant that increases your mood and in some cases may also decrease your appetite, according to PubMed Health. While you can take citalopram with many other medications, including diet drugs, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before mixing medical treatments. In rare cases, some diet pills may worsen your depression or cause agitation.
Citalopram Basics
Citalopram is usually marketed under the brand name Celexa, notes PubMed Health. Some doctors also prescribe citalopram for panic attacks, social phobia, eating disorders, alcoholism and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It takes anywhere from one to four weeks for the antidepressant to take effect, and some patients experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomachaches, drowsiness, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, dry mouth and excitement.
Appetite Suppressants
If you exercise caution, you can take prescription appetite suppressants with citalopram, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center Drug Checker. As of 2011, U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials have approved phentermine, diethylpropion and phendimetrazine for weight loss purposes. However, you cannot take such drugs for more than 12 weeks at a time and should not take them if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. In rare cases, prescription appetite suppressants can cause depression or psychotic behavior.
Lipase Inhibitors
The FDA has approved two dosages of orlistat to block the fat from your food from being digested in your body, causing it to pass out through your bowel movements, according to the Mayo Clinic. You can safely take over-the-counter Alli or prescription Xenical with citalopram. Orlistat might help you lose an additional 3 to 7 lbs each year, but you must also diet and exercise. Take all of your medications and supplements two hours before or two hours after taking orlistat to avoid problems absorbing the drugs. In rare cases, orlistat may cause severe liver injury. If you eat high-fat meals while taking either type of orlistat, you might experience uncontrollable bowel movements and oily gas.
Other Diet Pills
Some doctors prescribe drugs typically used to treat other conditions as diet pills, though they are not FDA-approved for weight loss purposes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Topiramate, zonisamide and metformin, medications used to treat seizures or bipolar disorder, might help you lose weight and do not interact with citalopram. Your doctor may prescribe the antidepressant bupropion, usually marketed as Wellbutrin or Zyban, to help decrease your appetite. This antidepressant also does not interact with citalopram.
References
- Weight-Control Information Network; Prescription Medications for the Treatment of Obesity; December 2010
- PubMed Health; Citalopram; August 2011
- PubMed Health; Orlistat; August 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Drug Checker
- Mayo Clinic; Appetite Suppressant, Sympathomimetic (Oral Route); November 2010
- Mayo Clinic; Alli Weight-Loss Pill; June 2010
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