Celexa is part of a drug class called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. In clinical studies that lasted 4 to 6 weeks, depression symptoms eased more in people who took Celexa.
This was compared with people who took a placebo treatment with no active drug. Researchers then looked at the people who took Celexa and had their depression symptoms ease to see how the drug worked long term. These people were compared with people who took a placebo. The people in the Celexa group were less likely to have their depression come back again. Celexa tablets are available as a brand-name medication. A generic drug is an exact copy of a brand-name medication.
Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. Celexa contains one active drug ingredient: citalopram. This means citalopram is the ingredient that makes Celexa work. Celexa can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Celexa.
For more information on the possible side effects of Celexa, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome. Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing should call You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Celexa. However, there are no studies showing the frequency of allergic reactions in people using Celexa. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:. A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:. Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Celexa. Changes in appetite may occur while taking Celexa, which can lead to weight gain or weight loss.
In some studies, people who took Celexa lost about 1 lb. Keep in mind that depression itself sometimes causes changes in appetite and weight. They can look at what might be causing the change in your weight and suggest helpful treatments.
Sexual problems may occur with Celexa use. Both men and women who take the drug may have a lower sex drive. Men who take Celexa may also have impotence or ejaculation changes mostly a delay in ejaculating.
You may not have sexual side effects while taking Celexa. Your doctor may be able to change your dose of Celexa to ease symptoms or recommend a different medication. Sleep problems may occur while taking Celexa. However, clinical studies found very similar rates of insomnia in people who took Celexa or a placebo.
In addition, depression may also cause trouble with sleep. Sleep is an important part of your overall health. Diarrhea is a possible side effect of taking Celexa, but it may get better over time. You may also have diarrhea if you stop taking Celexa too quickly. They can suggest helpful treatment options. They can suggest tips on how to be more comfortable. In studies , more people who took a placebo had constipation than people who took Celexa.
However, if you have constipation while using Celexa, talk with your doctor about treatment options. Sweating including night sweats may occur when taking Celexa. Sweating may also occur if you stop taking the drug too quickly or as a result of certain drug interactions.
They may be able to suggest treatments to help you feel more comfortable. Studies have looked at cases of suicide in people younger than age 18 years who took either an antidepressant or a placebo. The results showed 14 more cases of suicide in every 1, people who took an antidepressant compared with people who took a placebo.
In people ages 18 to 24 years, studies showed 5 more cases of suicide in every 1, people who took an antidepressant, compared with people who took a placebo. And in people ages 25 years and older, there were fewer cases of suicide in every 1, people who took antidepressants, compared with people who took a placebo. Be sure to have friends and loved ones keep an eye out as well. If you have thoughts of harming yourself while taking Celexa, tell your doctor right away or call Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage.
Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs. The starting dose of Celexa is 20 mg a day. Your doctor may have you increase your dose to 40 mg a day after at least 1 week of treatment with the starting dose.
A maximum dose of 40 mg a day is recommended because higher doses are more likely to lead to heart-related side effects. These include a heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation. If you miss a dose of Celexa, take it as soon as you can.
A medication timer may be useful, too. Celexa is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. Celexa may also be used off-label for other conditions. Celexa is FDA-approved for the treatment of depression in adults. Early studies of the medication were in people with major depressive disorder MDD. MDD involves symptoms that interfere with daily life for at least 2 weeks.
Examples of these symptoms include:. In addition to the use listed above, Celexa may be used off-label. And you may wonder if Celexa is used for certain other conditions.
However, some studies suggest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs like Celexa may be good treatment options for anxiety. These medications may be an option for people with anxiety who may benefit from taking medication.
This is a behavioral health condition in which unwanted thoughts or behaviors keep coming back or repeat over and over. Treatment of OCD usually requires doses of Celexa that are higher than those used for depression.
And it can take longer for people with OCD to notice that Celexa is working. Although the maximum recommended dose of Celexa for depression is 40 mg, doses of 60 mg have been used to treat OCD. Taking 60 mg of Celexa may increase your risk for heart-related side effects such as dizziness and heart palpitations feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats.
Bipolar depression is a mental health condition in which you have extreme shifts in your energy and mood. If you have bipolar depression, you may have mania or hypomania racing thoughts or periods of high energy when taking Celexa or other antidepressants. PMS is a group of physical and mental symptoms women have a week or two before their period. To treat PMDD, your doctor may prescribe doses of Celexa 10 mg to 30 mg that are lower than those used to treat depression.
Celexa may be prescribed off-label for symptoms of menopause , usually at doses smaller than those used for depression. Your doctor may prescribe 10 mg to 30 mg of Celexa to help treat menopause symptoms. Celexa may be used off-label to treat irritable bowel syndrome IBS , a condition that affects your intestines.
Celexa studies of people with IBS have shown mixed results. IBS symptoms may ease in some people when taking Celexa. Your doctor may prescribe Celexa as part of your treatment plan. Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD is a mental health condition that can occur after going through or witnessing a traumatic event.
Celexa may be used off-label for the treatment of PTSD, although other antidepressants and medications are often chosen over Celexa. The drug may not fully help treat your symptoms. Also, nondrug treatments such as counseling are generally tried before medication.
Celexa may be used off-label to treat depression in children. Other antidepressant medications have FDA-approval for the treatment of major depressive disorder in children and are preferred over Celexa. Examples of these medications include fluoxetine Prozac and escitalopram Lexapro. Celexa may be used off-label to treat agitation caused by dementia. Dementia is a group of symptoms that mark a decline in how you communicate, think, and remember things. The people were treated with counseling and either citalopram the active drug in Celexa or a placebo.
Researchers found that symptoms eased more in the people who took citalopram than in those who took a placebo. Among the different scales researchers used to evaluate people in the study was the modified Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study — Clinical Global Impression of Change. These conditions affect how well you sleep on a regular basis. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Your doctor may order certain laboratory tests and electrocardiograms EKG; a test to monitor your heart rate and rhythm before you start taking citalopram and during your treatment with this medication.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Citalopram pronounced as sye tal' oh pram. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow?
What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. Other uses for this medicine. With liquid drops of citalopram, 4 drops is equivalent to a 10mg tablet. What if I forget to take it? If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.
What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Call your doctor straight away if:. You have taken too much citalopram and have symptoms such as: being sick vomiting shaking feeling sleepy fast heart rate fits or seizures. Common side effects Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away: dry mouth sweating a lot being unable to sleep feeling sleepy feeling tired or weak Serious side effects Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: dry mouth — chew sugar-free gum or sugar-free sweets sweating a lot — try wearing loose clothing, use a strong anti-perspirant and keep cool using a fan if possible.
If this does not help, you may need to try a different type of antidepressant. Do not drive or use tools or machinery if you're feeling sleepy. If this does not help, talk to your doctor. Cut down the amount of alcohol you drink as it can make you feel worse.
Citalopram and pregnancy It's important for you and your baby that you stay well during your pregnancy. Citalopram and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, citalopram can be used during breastfeeding.
Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start citalopram : any medicines that affect your heartbeat — citalopram can speed up or change your heartbeat any other medicines for depression — some rarely used antidepressants can interact with citalopram to cause very high blood pressure even when they have been stopped for a few weeks Mixing citalopram with herbal remedies and supplements Do not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you're being treated with citalopram as this will increase your risk of side effects.
Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does citalopram work? When will I feel better? It usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks before you feel the full benefits. Give the medicine at least 6 weeks to work. How will it make me feel?
How long will I take it for? Is it safe to take it for a long time? For most people, citalopram is safe to take for a long time. How do I come off citalopram? These include: dizziness feeling sick numbness or tingling in the hands or feet trouble sleeping feeling agitated or anxious headaches shaking Important Do not stop taking citalopram suddenly or without talking to your doctor first.
Is citalopram better than other antidepressants? Citalopram is not any better or worse than other antidepressants. Talk to your doctor if you are not feeling any better after 6 weeks. Will I gain or lose weight?
Later on, you may gain a little weight as your appetite returns. Can I drive or ride a bike? Will it affect my fertility? Will it affect my contraception? Will it affect my sex life?
Some of the possible negative effects include: men getting painful erections and problems getting an erection and ejaculating women having some vaginal bleeding and might not reach orgasm the same way as before a lower sex drive Sexual side effects usually pass after the first couple of weeks.
It is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder MDD. They should be clear about the limits of the research around that medication and if there are any other options. Do not stop taking citalopram even when you feel better.
With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine. Depression is also a part of bipolar illness. People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants may be at risk for "switching" from depression into mania. Symptoms of mania include "high" or irritable mood, very high self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, frequently involved in activities with a large risk for bad consequences for example, excessive buying sprees.
Medical attention should be sought if serotonin syndrome is suspected. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider to best manage your medications. People living with MDD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. Untreated MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. For women who take antidepressant medications during weeks 13 through the end of their pregnancy second and third trimesters , there is a risk that the baby can be born before it is fully developed before 37 weeks.
This is a potentially fatal condition that is associated with use of the antidepressant in the second half of pregnancy. However, women who discontinued antidepressant therapy were five times more likely to have a depression relapse than those who continued their antidepressant.
If you are pregnant, please discuss the risks and benefits of antidepressant use with your health care provider. Typically patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dose is increased slowly over several weeks.
The dose usually ranges from 20 mg to 40 mg once daily. For patients older than 60 years, the maximum recommended dose is 20 mg once daily. Only your health care provider can determine the correct dose for you. The liquid should be measured with a dosing spoon or oral syringe which you can get from your pharmacy.
Consider using a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. You may also ask a family member or friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication. If you miss a dose of citalopram, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose.
Discuss this with your health care provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications.
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