Celexa

Celexa

Drug Name – Celexa

Alternate Names – Citalopram

Manufacturer – Forest Pharmaceuticals

Type – Prescription (Not Controlled). FDA Black Box Warning – Increased suicide risk for some age groups (at a minimum).

Pregnancy Issues – It is not known if Celexa affects the fetus or not; thus it is not advisable to take Celexa while pregnant. Celexa does cross into breast milk and should be avoided by nursing mothers.


Addiction Potential – After eight weeks of continuous treatment patients suffered from consistent and identifiable withdrawal symptoms. Although SSRI antidepressants are not typically a drug of abuse, tolerance over time would be a significant indicator of physical addiction, especially with the presence of specific withdrawal symptoms with abrupt cessation. See Withdrawals below for a list of symptoms.

Maximum Prescription Duration – This is a long-term prescription that usually does not take full effect for at least four months. Over time, the patient may experience a diminishing effect of the drug and may need to consult a medical doctor about switching to another SSRI antidepressant.

Cautions – Celexa should not be taken with liver or kidney problems (Celexa diminishes both liver and kidney functionality and may damage both over time); by those who suffer from seizures, mania, Bipolar I Disorder, or who have suicidal thoughts or a history of suicidal attempts; contact a doctor immediately if you experience mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), if you feel more depressed, if you have had a previous suicide attempt or if you have thoughts about hurting yourself. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction including skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Drug Interactions/Adverse affects – Do not take with MAOIs such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate; any other SSRI antidepressants; any tricyclic antidepressant such as Elavil, Tofranil, Sinequan, or Pamelor; Tegretol or Felbatol; Tagamet, Zantac, or Prilosec; any antibiotic containing erythromycin; antifungals including Diflucan, Sporano or Nizoral; migraine medication such as Axert, Relpax, Frova, Amerge, Maxalt, Imitrex, or Zomig; asthma medication such as Accolate, Eskalith, Lithobid, or Lithonate; NSAID drugs such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Naprosyn, Voltaren, Feldene, Relafen, Lodine, and others (NSAID drugs are FDA Black Box drugs); or lithium. Celexa should not be taken in conjunction with Lexapro or by those who are allergic to Lexapro. [This list is not complete.]

Class – SSRI antidepressant; FDA Black Box Drug (see advisory above).

Purpose – Treatment of major depressive disorder.

Side effects – Abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, ejaculation disorders, fatigue, impotence, indigestion, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, painful menstruation, respiratory tract infection, sinus or inflammation, sweating, tremor, and/or, vomiting, amnesia, attempted suicide, confusion, coughing, decreased sexual drive, depression, excessive urination, fever, gas, impaired concentration, increased appetite, increased salivation, itching, joint pain, lack of emotion, loss of menstruation, low blood pressure, migraine, muscle pain, rapid heartbeat, rash, skin tingling, taste disturbances, visual disturbances, weight gain, weight loss, yawning. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination; headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops. [This list is not complete.]

Withdrawals – Withdrawals from any SSRI antidepressant can begin within eight hours of missing any dosage of the drug. The withdrawal symptoms can last for eight weeks or more – thus, becoming troubling to the patient. The persistence of withdrawal symptoms often leads to rebound depression that can be worse than the original depressive episode. The most prevalent symptoms include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache, gait instability and insomnia. SSRI withdrawal symptoms include a list of at least fifty effects (some more common and persistent than others).

Sources – Celexa.com (website contains the complete FDA Black Box information), drugs.com, psyweb.com, psychdrugtruth.com.