Celexa - Citalopram

Celexa is used to treat patients with major depressive disorder. It is not for use in patients with bipolar disorder as it can exacerbate mania or cause a rapid swing from the depressive to the manic phase.

Celexa works by increasing the amount of neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain by stopping the resorption of serotonin from the synapse, having little effect of other receptors, which is why it is called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Neurotransmitters like serotonin are involved in the regulation of pain, pleasure, anxiety, panic, arousal, and sleep behavior.

Citalopram appears to have less effect on other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norandernaline. Which popularly results in fewer side effects, such as sexual dysfunction, weight changes etc. It is found that frequency of treatment-emergent manic episodes related with Citalopram is lower compared to other SSRIs.

Person may start to feel relief of symptoms within 5-8 weeks with the use of citalopram.

Citalopram appears to be an effective treatment option for patients both social anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD).

Celexa is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), though it is not FDA approved for this diagnosis.

Side Effects of Celexa:

• Nausea.
• Hot flashes.
• Dry mouth.
• Sleepiness.
• Sweating.
• Serotonin syndrome.
• Muscle weakness.
• Low or low blood pressure.
• Weight loss or gain.
• Increased appetite.
• Diarrhea.
• Impaired concentration.
• Sexual difficulties.

Interactions of Celexa with other Drugs:

Taking other medicines with Celexa can increase the chance of developing a rare, but very serious, unwanted effect known as the serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include confusion, diarrhea, fever, shivering, sweating, trembling or shaking.
Drugs or substances that may interact with Celexa are:

• Imipramine/ desipramine.
• MAO Inhibitors.
• Grapefruit juice.
• Bromocriptine (Parlodel).
• Alcohol.
• Buspirone (BuSpar).
• Dextromethorphan (cough medicine).
• Levodopa (Sinemet).
• Lithium (Eskalith).
• Meperidine (Demerol).
• Marijuana.
• Sumatriptan (Imitrex).
• Tramadol (Ultram).
• Trazodone (Desyrel).
• Tryptophan.
• Venlafaxine (Effexor).