Side Effects:

Common Nausea, Headache, Diarrhoea, Fatigue.

Expert advice for Stalopam Tablet
It can take 2-3 weeks for Stalopam to start working. Do not stop treatment suddenly as this may cause a stomach upset, flu-like withdrawal symptoms and sleep disturbance. If your doctor asks you to stop Stalopam, you should reduce the dose slowly over 4 weeks. Avoid consuming alcohol when taking the Stalopam, as it may cause excessive drowsiness and calmness. The addiction/dependence potential of Stalopam is very less. You may develop anxiety during initiation of therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How does Stalopam work?
Stalopam works by increasing the levels of serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain. This improves mood and physical symptoms in depression and relieves symptoms of panic and obsessive disorders.

Q. Can I take Stalopam with coffee?
There is usually no significant effect of taking coffee with Stalopam but a very high quantity of consumption of coffee may cause restlessness and anxiety.

Q. Is Stalopam addictive?
No. Stalopam is not addictive. Its abrupt discontinuation may cause some withdrawal symptoms. But still is not addictive as there is no drug-seeking behaviour and it has no abuse liability.

Q. Why does Stalopam cause nausea?
Stalopam increases the activity of serotonin a chemical which is also involved in the vomiting process so makes the person nauseating.

Q. Why does Stalopam make me tired?
Tiredness is usually associated with depression. Stalopam can alter the sleep quality and can make the person feel tired most of the time.

Q. Can I use Stalopam for a migraine?
Stalopam is not approved for the treatment of a migraine. It is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorder, phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Q. Can I use Stalopam for bipolar disorder?
Stalopam should not be used for the treatment of bipolar disorder as it can aggravate the problem. Only in few cases, it can be used that too with caution with other drugs if depression is the more persistent feature of person's bipolar illness. But the person should be very regular with drugs prescribed for the mania part also called mood stabilisers.

Q. Does Stalopam cause hair loss?
There are some case reports of hair loss with the use of Stalopam. It is very infrequent and it usually stops after the discontinuation of the drug. It can be very distressing for a person, especially for the females. So a person should tell his doctor if he is having hair loss with the use of Stalopam.

Q. Can I use Stalopam for sleep problem?
Stalopam may itself cause sleep disorders. So it is not recommended for the sleep problem.

Q. Can I use Stalopam for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Stalopam can be used for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) but there are better alternatives available, in case they don't work then Stalopam can be used. Although it is prescribed in a higher dose and for longer duration in case of OCD in comparison to depression.

Q. Which is better medication, Stalopam or sertraline?
Stalopam is the safest drug in its class. Sertraline can be used in case Stalopam doesn't work for depression. However, setraline can be preferred in case of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Q. Which is better medication, Stalopam or citalopram?
Stalopam is more effective than citalopram for major depression. Although some studies have shown that there is no difference among two in case of effectiveness but some recent studies have shown Stalopam to be superior to citalopram for major depression.

Q. Can I take Stalopam with diphenhydramine?
It is better to avoid diphenhydramine with Stalopam. Diphenhydramine can aggravate side effects of Stalopam and can cause dizziness, confusion and difficulty in concentrating.

Q. Can I take Stalopam with aspirin?
It is usually avoided as it can increase the chances of bleeding.

Q. Can I take Stalopam with Ibuprofen?
No. Combined these two drugs may increase the chances of bleeding especially in persons already on a blood thinner. Nasal bleeding is usually the first symptom.

Q. Can I take Stalopam with methylphenidate?
It is better to avoid methylphenidate with Stalopam. Because methylphenidate can increase the blood levels of Stalopam and its effects and rarely can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome with symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, extreme changes in heart rate and blood pressure, blurred vision, incoordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.

Q. Can Stalopam be given with lisdexamfetamine?
It is better to avoid this combined therapy of lisdexamfetamine with Stalopam, it leads to increased anxiety, restlessness and sometimes serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome includes vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme changes in blood pressure and even seizure may occur. It can be life-threatening.

Q. Can I take Stalopam with alprazolam?
It is better to avoid the combination, it can lead to increased dizziness, confusion and difficulty in concentrating. Please consult your doctor before taking these two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Stalopam with clonazepam?
It is better to avoid the combination, it can lead to increased dizziness, confusion and difficulty in concentrating. Please consult your doctor before taking these two medicines together.

Q. Can Stalopam be used with hydrocodone?
It is better to avoid the combination, it can lead to increased dizziness, confusion and difficulty in concentrating. Please consult your doctor before taking these two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Stalopam with dextromethorphan?
You should not take Dextromethorphan with Stalopam. It can lead to the seotonin syndrome. Before taking any medications with Stalopam, your should consult with your doctor.

Q. Can I take Stalopam and paracetamol?
Yes. There is no known interaction between Stalopam and paracetamol.

Q. How does Stalopam differ from fluoxetine?
Stalopam and fluoxetin belongs to same class of medicine called as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Q. How doses Stalopam differ from amitriptyline?
Stalopam is a newer drug belongs to class selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) while amitryptiline is an older drug belonging to class tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). Both drugs are almost equally effective for treating depression but Stalopam has much lesser side effects in comparison to amitryptiline and so preferred over amitryptiline for the treatment of depression.

Q. How does Stalopam differ from imipramine?
Stalopam is much safer than imipramine and is preferred in most of the conditions over imipramine. However, imipramine can be preferred in bed-wetting in children.

Q. What would happen if I stop taking Stalopam?
You may experience withdrawal symptoms which can be in the form flu like symptoms, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, nausea or sleep problems. These symptoms usually last for one to two weeks. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.

Q. When and How to stop Stalopam?
You should consult your doctor before stopping the treatment. It would depend on the number and severity of depressive episodes.The dose should be tapered slowly to prevent intense withdrawal symptoms.

Q. Is Stalopam a benzodiazepine?
No. Stalopam is not a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines decrease the anxiety and induce sleep. Stalopam belongs to the class of selective sertonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It may cause insomnia and restlessness initially as the side effect which usually goes away with time.

Q. Is Stalopam a narcotic?
No. Stalopam is not a narcotic drug. Narcotics are drugs with sleep inducing properties, usual derivatives of Opium like Heroin and Morphine.