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Celexa
(Citalopram Hydrobromide) is a prescription drug used to treat
major depression. Major depression can be defined as a persistently
low mood that endures nearly every day for at least 2 weeks
and interferes with everyday living. Symptoms may include loss
of interest in your usual activities, insomnia or excessive
sleeping, a change in weight or appetite, constant fidgeting
or a slowdown in movement, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness
or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and repeated
thoughts of suicide.
It
was released by the Forest Pharmaceuticals corporation
aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Celexa on July
17, 1998. Celexa is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse
by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells. The effects of
this medication can usually be seen in two to three weeks, though
some patients may require four or more weeks to feel better.
Uses
Celexa is used to treat patients with major depressive disorder.
It is not for use in patients with bipolar (manic depressive)
disorder as it can exacerbate mania or cause a rapid swing from
the depressive to the manic phase. Celexa is also used to treat
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), though it is not FDA approved
for this diagnosis.
Directions
Take Celexa once a day, in the morning or evening, with or without food. Although your
depression will begin to lift in 1 to 4 weeks, you should continue taking Celexa regularly.
It takes several months for the medication to yield its full benefits.
--If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you
missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
--Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature.
Side Effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your
doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to
continue taking Celexa.
- More common side effects may include:
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
nasal inflammation, sweating, tremor, vomiting
- Less common side effects may include:
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
- Rare side effects may include:
Abnormal dreams,
acne,
aggressive behavior,
alcohol intolerance,
angina (chest pain),
arthritis,
belching,
bone pain,
breast enlargement,
breast pain,
bronchitis,
bruising,
chills,
conjunctivitis (pinkeye),
decreased muscle movements,
delusions,
dermatitis,
difficulty breathing,
difficulty swallowing,
dizziness,
drug dependence,
dry eyes,
dry skin,
eczema,
emotional instability,
excessive milk flow,
excessive muscle tone,
eye pain,
fainting,
feeling of well-being,
flu-like symptoms,
flushing,
frequent urination,
gum inflammation,
hair loss,
hallucinations,
heart attack,
heart failure,
hemorrhoids,
high blood pressure,
hives,
hot flashes,
inability to hold urine,
inability to urinate completely,
increased sex drive,
increased urination,
involuntary muscle movements,
leg cramps,
mouth sores,
muscle weakness,
nosebleeds,
numbness,
painful erection,
painful urination,
panic,
paranoia,
pneumonia,
psoriasis,
psychosis,
ringing in the ears,
sensitivity to light,
skin discoloration,
slow heartbeat,
stomach and intestinal inflammation,
stroke,
swelling,
teeth grinding,
thirst,
uncontrollable muscle movements,
unsteady or abnormal walk,
vaginal bleeding
Allergy
If Celexa gives you an allergic reaction, you cannot continue using it. Also remember that
Celexa must never be combined with an MAO inhibitor.
Warnings
and Precautions
Celexa is not addictive, but abrupt discontinuation may cause
withdrawal. Doses should be tapered off when Celexa therapy is
discontinued.
Celexa can
cause drowsiness or trouble thinking in some people. Patients
should not drive or operate heavy machinery until they know that
Celexa does not affect their ability to safely engage in these
activities.
Studies on
this medication have only been conducted on adults, and the effects
of Celexa in children below the age of 18 have not been established.
There is a slight chance that Celexa will trigger a manic episode. Use Celexa with caution if you suffer from manic-depression (bipolar disorder). Use caution, too, if you are over 60 years old, have liver or kidney problems, suffer from heart disease or high blood pressure, or have ever had seizures.
For Nursing
Mothers:
Studies indicate that Celexa can increase the risk of
birth defects when taken by pregnant women; the doses used in
these studies were higher than normal therapy doses. Celexa is
excreted in breast milk, and it may cause excessive sleepiness
and/or weight loss in a nursing infant; it is not recommended
that women breastfeed while taking Celexa.
Drug interactions
Celexa does not increase the effects of alcohol. Nevertheless, it's considered unwise to
combine Celexa with alcohol or any other drug that affects the brain. (Be particularly
careful to avoid MAO inhibitors.)
If Celexa is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased,
decreased, or altered. Tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter drugs
you are planning to take, and be especially certain to check with him before combining
Celexa with the following:
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Lithium (Lithobid, Lithonate)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Other antidepressants such as Elavil, Norpramin, Pamelor, and Tofranil
Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Dosage
ADULTS: The recommended starting dose is 20 milligrams once a day. Dosage is usually increased
to 40 milligrams once daily after at least a week has passed. Do not exceed 40 milligrams
a day.
For older adults and those who have liver problems, the recommended dose is 20
milligrams once a day.
Overdosage
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an
overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
- Symptoms of Celexa overdose may include:
Amnesia, bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin,
coma,
confusion,
convulsions,
dizziness,
drowsiness,
hyperventilation,
nausea,
rapid heartbeat,
sweating,
tremor,
vomiting
More Anti-Depressants
Celexa is a drug that was released by the Forest Pharmaceuticals corporation aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Celexa on July 17, 1998. Celexa is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells. The effects of this medication can usually be seen in two to three weeks, though some patients may require four or more weeks to feel better.
Lexapro [escitalopram] is an antidepressant that works by boosting levels of serotonin, one of the chief chemical messengers in the brain. The drug is a close chemical cousin of the antidepressant medication Celexa. Other antidepressants that work by raising serotonin levels include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.
Luvox is the brand name for Fluvoxamine, an antidepressant and antiobsessional drug. Luvox is a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). It is often prescribed for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This drug is used to relieve anxiety and unpleasant thoughts that cause a person to repeat certain tasks.
Paxil (Paroxetine) is an antidepressant used to treat major depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and generalized anxiety disorder.
Prozac is an antidepressant often prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity.
Remeron is a medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in June 1997. Remeron was the first drug in a new class of antidepressants with a unique ability to target specific serotonin receptors. Along with its efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe depression, Remeron has proven to be effective for treating anxiety, motor retardation, and cognitive and sleep disturbances associated with depression.
Wellbutrin is a relatively new antidepressant medication and is prescribed to help relieve certain kinds of major depression. As with other antidepressants, it is unknown exactly how Wellbutrin works. Scientists believe that Wellbutrin treats depression by affecting two chemicals in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. These are two of the chemicals that are believed to help regulate your mood.
Zoloft is an antidepressant drug that was released by the Pfizer corporation in 1991 which aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Zoloft in October of 1997. Zoloft is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells.
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