Dippsy asked
Can you take Kalms herbal tablets with the antidepressant Celexa (citalopram)?
Answer
Per the Kalms packaging, you should not take Kalms if you are taking antidepressants like Celexa (citalopram) for anxiety.
However, there are no major drug interactions among the active ingredients in Kalms and Celexa (citalopram).
Kalms Herbal Tablets
Kalms herbal tablets are used for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with stress, such as mild anxiety or irritability as well as for symptoms associated with menopause like hot flashes, cold sweats, and of sleep disturbances. The active ingredients in Kalms herbal tablets include:
- Hops
- Valerian root
- Gentian root
Celexa (Citalopram)
Citalopram is an antidepressant that belongs to a drug class called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (or “SSRIs” for short). Citalopram is most often used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder but can be used for other indications as well.
Taking Kalms With Celexa (Citalopram)
While there are no major drug interactions between Kalms and citalopram, one of the main ingredients in Kalms, valerian root, can cause CNS (central nervous system) depression. This means it can slow down how your nervous system and brain function, which is why valerian is often used for anxiety and sleep.
As citalopram can cause sedation and drowsiness as well, there is the potential for additive side effects. If you are tolerating citalopram well, you shouldn't have much of a problem using Kalms as well.
If you are using Kalms for the relief of symptoms like mild anxiety or irritability, talk to your doctor about adjusting your citalopram dose as it might not be high enough to treat your anxiety.
If you have reached the maximum dose of citalopram (40 mg daily), there are other antidepressant agents you can switch to that can be used to treat depression and anxiety. If you are using Kalms for menopause symptoms, there are no major drug interactions with its active ingredients and citalopram.
