Is citalopram hydrobromide considered a controlled substance?
Citalopram hydrobromide is an SSRI antidepressant. SSRIs are not typically classified as controlled substances in the U.S. under the Controlled Substances Act (unlike drugs such as benzodiazepines or opioids).
If you’re seeing “controlled” language on a label, pharmacy system, or prescription document, it’s usually referring to regulated prescribing/dispensing rules (for example, electronic prescribing requirements, quantity limits, or safety monitoring), not that citalopram itself is federally scheduled.
What substance class is citalopram hydrobromide in?
Citalopram hydrobromide is an antidepressant (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). Because it is not a benzodiazepine, opioid, or stimulant, it does not have the same federal abuse-deterrence scheduling category as those drug classes.
Why might someone think citalopram is controlled?
Common reasons:
- Confusion with other psychiatric medications that are scheduled (for example, alprazolam, clonazepam, or zolpidem).
- Internal pharmacy or clinic “controlled medication” categories that may be broader than federal scheduling (sometimes based on high-alert dispensing workflows).
- Labeling or documentation errors.
How is citalopram usually monitored if it is not scheduled?
Even when it is not a controlled substance, citalopram can still be monitored for safety and dosing, including:
- Checking for drug interactions (especially other serotonergic drugs).
- Monitoring dose limits and tolerability.
- Ongoing follow-up for response and side effects.
Where to verify the status for your state or country
Controlled substance status can differ by jurisdiction. The most reliable check is:
- Your country’s national drug scheduling database, or
- Your state/provincial controlled substances registry, or
- Your pharmacy/pharmacist confirming how it is categorized in your location.
Source
I don’t have any provided documents or links here that specify citalopram hydrobromide’s controlled-substance status in a particular jurisdiction. If you tell me the country/state (e.g., U.S. federal, California, Canada/where), I can narrow the answer to that exact scheduling system.