Citalopram 20 mg: Brand change
From October 2022, a new brand of citalopram, Celapram, has been funded. The tablets look different from the previous brand, PSM citalopram, But they have the same active ingredient and work in the body the same way,.
Why is this happening?
The supplier, API, has left the New Zealand market. Their PSM brand of citalopram is no longer being manufactured. We have sourced an alternative brand, Celapram, so people can continue to access their medicine.
Key dates
1 October 2022: Celapram listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule (Pharmacode 2638738)
December 2022: PSM citalopram likely to no longer be available (Pharmacode 2479621)
1 March 2023: PSM citalopram delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule
Alternative brand listed
From October 2022, both brands of citalopram were listed on the Schedule.
Schedule listing for citalopram(external link)
People using PSM citalopram should have changed to Celapram sometime before December 2022 to continue to access funded treatment. PSM citalopram is expected to begin running out in December 2022. Since 1 March 2023, Celapram was the only funded brand of citalopram.
Celapram tablets look different but work the same way
Celapram has been thoroughly assessed by Medsafe, the medicines and devices safety authority, to ensure it is both safe, and works the same as other brands of citalopram.
The packaging and tablets will look different, but the tablets have the same active ingredient and work in the body the same way.
Celapram tablets are scored, which allows them to be broken in half to allow for 10 mg doses.
Celepram has been available in Aotearoa New Zealand before, so it might look familiar to some people.
- Health Navigator factsheet: Citalopram brand change [PDF 297 KB]
Translations
Te Reo Māori [PDF](external link)
Chinese (Simplified) [PDF](external link)
Brand switch fee for pharmacists
We know that moving people from one brand to another can be difficult. To support this, we are covering the cost with a brand switch fee. This will be in place from 1 March 2023 to 1 June 2023.
We know some patients and their whānau may have some questions to ask their pharmacists. This is an opportunity to provide some extra counselling to reassure people that Celapram works the same as PSM citalopram.
Who to contact?
If you have any questions or concerns about this change, talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
You can also get more information from us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz or 0800 660 050