Brand Name

Celexa {Forest Laboratories}

Generic Name

citalopram, pronounced si TAL o pram

What is Celexa? Known by the generic name Citalopram, Celexa is an antidepressant that is designed to assist in the treatment of depression. It belongs to an antidepressant group known as SSRIs. While Celexa can be used to treat a wide range of depressive disorders, this is a medication that can be used for reasons beyond that.

There are several important factors with this antidepressant that you are going to want to keep in mind. To begin with, you are going to want to discuss taking this medication with a trusted healthcare provider. This is not a medication that should be taken without consultation.

Celexa may also be used for reasons not listed in this medication guide.

 

Key Facts About Celexa

This antidepressant is part of the SSRI group, and it works to correct the chemical imbalances in the brain over the long-term. Here are some other important pieces of information on Celexa that you will want to understand:

Celexa should not be taken by those who are currently taking such medications as Orap, Zelapar, Parnate, and Azilect. Dangerous interactions can occur in conjunction with the taking of Celexa. If you are taking any medications, you will at least want to mention them to your healthcare provider. There are a number of other medications that can have negative interactions with Celexa, causing serious health problems.

You should not take tryptophan, if you are taking Celexa.

Those who take Celexa may find themselves struggling with the sudden appearance of suicidal feelings. This is a particular concern with patients who are younger than twenty-four. If you are having such thoughts, you will want to tell your doctor immediately. Regular doctor appointments are important, as you begin to take Celexa. This is particularly true during the first three months.

If you experience new symptoms, or worsening symptoms, you will want to discuss these symptoms with your doctor immediately. Mood changes, panic attacks, impulsive thoughts, irritable thoughts, or thoughts related to self-injury and suicide.

Alcohol should not be consumed by those taking Celexa, as it can cause substantial damage to the liver.

Those with heart rhythm disorders, family histories of Long QT syndrome, or electrolyte imbalances will want to discuss those things with their doctor.

Celexa has the potential to alter your reactions, timing, or critical thinking skills. To that end, exercise caution while driving, or do anything that requires those traits.

 

Before You Take Celexa

Those with an allergy to tocitalopram should not take Celexa. Furthermore, if you are currently taking an MAO inhibitor, you will definitely want to discuss that with your doctor. Examples of such inhibitors can include Furoxone, Marplan, Nardil, Emsam, and Parnate. There are others that can potentially create complications or serious health problems. You will need to stop taking your MAO inhibitor, and wait a period of fourteen days, before beginning a treatment program with Celexa.

If you need to go back to your MAO inhibitor, you will likely need to stop taking Celexa. That is not something you are going to be able to do on your own. This is something you will naturally want to discuss in greater detail with your doctor. Certain medications, when taken with Celexa, can also create heart rhythm problems. The list of medications and other products that can negatively interact with Celexa is a long one. Anything you are currently taking should be brought up with your healthcare professional.

Anyone who has been diagnosed in the past with manic depression, bi-polar disorder, or a history of drug abuse/suicidal thoughts, will want to discuss these things with their doctor. Those who struggle with seizures and/or epilepsy will want to also bring that up with their healthcare provider. Bleeding and blood-clot disorders can also create potential problems for those who are taking Celexa.

You will also want to note that Celexa belongs to FDA pregnancy category C. This means that taking Celexa while pregnant can create kidney or lung defects/problems. Breast-feeding while taking Celexa is also ill-advised, as the breast milk can pass on the Celexa to the infant.

Those under the age of eighteen should not take Celexa.

 

Celexa Drug Interactions

As mentioned before, there is a very long list of drugs, vitamins, supplements, and other products that can have negative interactions with Celexa. Even if your prescriptions/vitamins/supplements are not listed in this guide, you will still want to give your doctor a complete list of everything you are taking. This includes everything you have taken recently.

Antibiotics, antidepressants, HIV/AIDS medications, various heart medications, and Prevacid are a few examples of drugs that can interact negatively with Celexa. Those who take herbal products will want to be wary, as well. Anything and everything you are taking for health should be made clear to your doctor.

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• antibiotics
• antidepressants like desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), or paroxetine (Paxil)
• anti-malaria medications
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril)
• dolasetron (Anzemet)
• droperidol (Inapsine)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• heart medications like amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), digoxin (Lanoxin), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), dronedarone (Multaq), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quin-G), and sotalol (Betapace)
• HIV/AIDS medications
• lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
• methadone (Methadose, Diskets, Dolophine)
• omeprazole (Prilosec)
• St. John’s wort
• sumatriptan (Imitrex)
• tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan)
• warfarin (Coumadin)
• zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Celexa. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Celexa

Celexa should only be taken as directed by your doctor. Celexa should not be taken in quantities that are smaller or larger than what you have been prescribed. It should not be taken for any period shorter or longer than the period prescribed by your doctor. This is a medication that should be taken at the same time from one day to the next.

This drug can be taken with or without food. If you are taking Celexa in a liquid form, then make sure it has been properly diluted beforehand. Using your medicine dropper, you will want to measure out a dose, and then combine that dose with four ounces of a liquid. These liquids can include orange juice, water, lemonade, lime-lemon sodas, and ginger ale. Do not mix any other liquids with the liquid form of Celexa.

You may approximately four weeks, before you begin to see an improvement in your condition. Serious side effects can occur, if you stop taking the drug suddenly. Because Celexa can create a false positive on a drug test, you are going to want to tell your doctor or laboratory support staff, if you are taking such a test. Consult your doctor, if you have any questions or concerns with regards to Celexa.

Store Celexa in a space that maintains room temperature. It should not be exposed to high amounts of light, heat, or moisture.

If you miss taking a dose of Celexa, make sure to take the dose regardless. However, if you are close to your next dose, take that dose instead. It is not advised to miss more than a small handful of Celexa doses.

 

Celexa Side Effects

There are a number of serious side effects that should be kept in mind. If you experience any serious side effects, such as jaundice, tremors, or overactive reflexes, then you will want to seek emergency care at once. Before taking Celexa, talk to your doctor about all of the serious side effects that you can expect to encounter.

Cold symptoms, appetite loss, dry mouth, and increased urination are all examples of minor side effects. Even so, these should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Celexa and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• aggressive, agitated or hostile behavior
• anxiety or panic attacks
• depression that has increased
• diarrhea
• difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• faint feeling
• fever
• hallucinations
• headaches
• increased heart rate
• insomnia or trouble sleeping
• jaundice
• nausea
• overactive reflexes
• restlessness or hyperactivity
• seizures
• stiff or rigid muscles
• suicidal thoughts or thought about hurting yourself
• tremors
• trouble breathing or shallow breath
• unsteady gait or difficulty walking
• vomiting

Less serious side effects of Celexa may include:

• cold symptoms like a stuffy nose
• constipation
• decreased libido
• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• impotence
• increased sweating
• loss of appetite
• mild nausea
• urinating more than usual

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Celexa. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Celexa Description and Dosing

Celexa 10 milligram tablets are available. They are beige, film-coated, oval tablets.

Celexa 20 milligram tablets are available, and are pink, film-coated, oval and scored.

Celexa 40 milligram tablets are available, and are white, film coated, oval and scored.

Celexa Oral Solution contains citalopram HBr equivalent to 2 mg/mL citalopram base.

The initial dose for adult patients with depression is 20 milligrams orally, once a day.

The maintenance dose is usually between 20 milligrams and 40 milligrams, orally, one time daily. The initial dose is sometimes increased in 20 milligram increments, but not more often than once a week. The maximum daily dose is 40 milligrams.

The dose of Celexa is based on each individual. Your doctor will tell you what dose of Celexa is right for you and will treat your condition effectively.

All people taking Celexa should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Celexa you should seek emergency help immediately.

 

Ingredients in Celexa

The primary active ingredient in Celexa is citalopram. Other inactive ingredients in the tablets include copolyvidone, corn starch, crosscarmellose sodium, glycerin, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide. In addition, iron oxides are used as coloring agents in the beige (10 milligram) and pink (20 milligram) tablets.

The Celexa Oral Solution also contains the inactive ingredients sorbitol, purified water, propylene glycol, methylparaben, natural peppermint flavor, and propylparaben.

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