Citalopram users told call 111 if you spot this rare toilet symptom

Citalopram users told call 111 if you spot this rare toilet symptom The NHS advises patients taking citalopram to call 111 if they experience this side effect Brits taking a widely prescribed medication are being advised to "call 111" if they notice a particular symptom while on the toilet. This could signal a "rare but serious" side effect of the drug. Citalopram is a prescription antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) family of medicines. It is commonly used to treat low mood (depression) and occasionally prescribed for panic attacks. It ranks among the most frequently taken antidepressants in the UK, with approximately 13.3 million items prescribed each year in England. However, "like all medicines", citalopram can trigger side effects in certain individuals. The NHS advises that some common side effects of citalopram will gradually ease as your body adjusts to it. It states: "For example, taking citalopram for panic attacks can sometimes make anxiety worse during the first few weeks of treatment. "But this usually wears off after a few weeks. If it bothers you, speak to your doctor about it. A lower dose may help reduce your symptoms." Roughly one in 100 people are believed to experience common side effects of citalopram, which include dry mouth, excessive sweating, difficulty sleeping, headaches, and nausea. If these symptoms persist or continue to cause concern, you should consult a doctor or pharmacist. There are, however, several more serious potential side effects of citalopram that warrant close attention. These are "rare" and occur in fewer than one in 1,000 people. They include noticing blood in your stool when you use the toilet. This will cause your stool to appear red or black, and may indicate bleeding from the gut. The NHS advises you should "call a doctor or call 111 now" if you experience this. You should also call a doctor or call 111 now if you: - Start bleeding from the gums or get bruises that appear without a reason or that get bigger - Have strong feelings of happiness, enthusiasm or excitement, or feeling restless and you cannot sit or stand still - Start coughing up blood or have blood in your pee - Have blood in your vomit You should call 999 or go to A&E now if: - You have chest pain or pressure or shortness of breath - You have a fit or seizure for the first time, or the seizures you have had in the past become more frequent - You feel very dizzy, or pass out - You have painful erections that last longer than two hours – this may happen even when you're not having sex - You get bleeding from any cuts or nosebleeds that is very heavy or does not stop within 10 minutes - You have thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life - You get headaches, have trouble focusing, have memory problems, cannot think clearly, have weakness, have a seizure or fit, or lose your balance – these can be signs of low sodium levels