Drug Uses

Celexa is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Celexa affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression. Celexa is used to treat depression.

How Taken

Celexa comes as a tablet taken by mouth. It is usually taken once daily and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Celexa exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often that prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take Celexa even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Celexa without talking to your doctor. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking Celexa, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, have kidney disease, suffer from seizures, or suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts. You may not be able to take Celexa, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Do not take Celexa without first talking to your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to this medication in the past. Celexa is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Celexa will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Celexa without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Celexa passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take Celexa without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Missed 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.

Possible Side Effects

The most common side effect with Celexa is sexual problems in male patients.
Some other possible side effects include:
-nausea
-dry mouth
-sleepiness
-increase in sweating

Storage

Celexa tablets should be stored in a dry place at room temperature between 15° and 30°C

Overdose

Symptoms most often accompanying Celexa overdose, alone or in combination with other drugs and/or alcohol, included dizziness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremor, somnolence, and sinus tachycardia. In more rare cases, observed symptoms included amnesia, confusion, coma, convulsions, hyperventilation, cyanosis, rhabdomyolysis, and ECG changes.

More Information

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Celexa may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Celexa or affect your condition.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.

Other info about Celexa at Wikipedia.org and other resources:

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Prozac and Celexa exhibit anti-inflammatory effects
(Wiley-Blackwell) A new study found that fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) treatment significantly inhibited disease progression of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Research led by Sandra Sacre, Ph.D., from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the UK studied the anti-arthritic potential of these drugs, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors most commonly used to treat depression. Full findings of this study are published in the March issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)