Celexa (Citalopram)

What is Celexa? Celexa (Citalopram) is part of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and is used to treat depression. Celexa may also be prescribed to help reduce the symptoms associated with anxiety, panic attacks, and eating disorders. Celexa comes in tablet form and is usually taken once per day. A person's doctor may slowly increase the amount of Celexa taken each day to find the correct dose of this medication.

Important Information Before Use:

Antidepressants like Celexa may cause an increase in suicidal behavior or thoughts in children, teens, or young adults under the age of twenty-four. Your doctor can help you decide if the benefit of this medication outweighs the risk of using it.
Do not take Celexa with other SSRI medications and do not take Celexa within two weeks of taking a MAO inhibitor. Let your doctor know if you have taken a MAO inhibitor recently.
Review your heart health history with your doctor to see if this medication is right for you. If you have had a heart attack, Celexa may not be a good choice for you.
Talk to your doctor before you take Celexa if you have or have ever had a heart attack, seizure, or any type of liver, kidney, or heart disease.
You should also mention any serious reactions you have had to other similar medications.
Celexa may interact with other medications or supplements, including MAO inhibitors, medications for motion sickness, Parkinson's disease medications, anticoagulants, antihistamines, antidepressants, antacids, St. John's wort, sleeping pills, antipsychotics, high blood pressure medications, and more. If you are taking other prescription drugs or vitamins, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Celexa.

Important Information During Use:

If you are currently taking Celexa, confirm that your daily dosage is 40 mg or less. The maximum daily dosage of this medication was revised to 40 mg/day in 2011.
Celexa can cause problems in newborns if taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You should talk to your doctor about alternative treatments for depression if you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking Celexa.
Celexa can make you very drowsy. Using alcohol with Celexa can worsen this side effect. Do not drive or work with heavy machinery until you know how this medication will affect you.
If you are having any type of surgery, including oral or dental surgery, then you should tell your doctor or anesthesiologist that you take Celexa.
Signs of Celexa overdose include sweating, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Take only the amount of Celexa that has been prescribed by your doctor.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience serious or severe side effects from Celexa.

Celexa Side Effects

Serious:

Irregular, pounding, or fast heartbeat
Fever
Seizures
Confusion
Hallucinations
Believing things that are not true

Less Serious:

Drowsiness
Shaking
Joint or muscle pain
Nervousness, anxiety ,or excitement
Dry mouth
Loss of appetite
Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
Sweating
Changes in sex drive or ability

Withdrawing:
You should not stop taking Celexa abruptly; work with your doctor to taper off of this medication slowly over time. Doing so will help reduce the amount and severity of Celexa withdrawal symptoms. You should not reduce or discontinue this medication on your own.

Possible Symptoms of Celexa Withdrawal: