Celexa Side Effects
Celexa | citalopram side effects and adverse reactions include:
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Insomnia
- Increased sweating
- Tremor
- Diarrhea
- Ejaculation difficulty
- Impotence
- Anxiety
- Upper respiratory ailments
One rare and possibly life-threatening complication is
serotonin syndrome, a serious and sometimes deadly reaction to too much serotonin in the body. Symptoms occur within minutes to hours of onset and includes:
- Agitation
- Diarrhea
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Loss of coordination and Hallucinations
- Over reactive reflexes
- Tremor, or
- Confusion
Warnings & Recalls for Celexa
- The FDA requires a black box warning to be included on the packaging insert of Celexa due to a higher risk of suicidal thinking among users of Celexa as well as all other SSRI medications. The black box warning is an indication of an increased risk of severe or life-threatening complications.
- In August of 2011, the FDA released a further statement warning of the risk of prolonged QT intervals in individuals undergoing treatment with Celexa. A prolonged QT interval is an abnormality seen on an electrocardiogram that indicates an abnormality in the way electricity is conducted in the heart and may result in chaotic heartbeat and sudden death.
- Your doctor will determine whether Celexa is right for you based on factors such as weight, age, and personal medical history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications or if you have any known food allergies.
- Studies have not shown any significant benefit in the use of citalopram among children with depression. It has also been observed that in some instances, children, adolescents, and young adults have increased suicidal thinking. It is because of this that use among children is not advised.
- The elderly have age-specific problems that limit the usefulness of Celexa. Because of liver problems associated with the elderly, older patients should receive a decreased dosage.
- Taking Celexa with other seratogenic agents increases the risk of seratonin syndrome. If you begin exhibiting these symptoms after taking Celexa, seek medical attention Immediately and report your experiences. Also, if you have any questions whatsoever about Celexa and its side effects, speak to your doctor. Doing so may prevent severe or life-threatening complications.
Celexa Treatment and Use
Celexa | citalopram, is an anti-depressant manufactured by Forest Laboratories, Inc. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) and is approved by the FDA to treat the symptoms of major depressive disorder. Off-label uses of Celexa include:
- Anxiety
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Premature ejaculation
- Diabetic neuropathy, and
- Pathological crying associated with stroke victims
Dosage
When continuing to answer the question of exactly what is celexa, one must move on to the dosage. The recommended starting dose of Celexa is 20 mg once a day. If symptoms persist, or if you develop adverse reactions to citalopram, your doctor may recommend increasing or decreasing the dosage. The maximum daily dosage of Celexa is not to exceed 40 mg once daily. Doses higher than 40 mg have not demonstrated increased efficacy, and have in some instances have resulted in irregular heart beat.
How does Celexa work?
Another way of understanding your question, ‘what is celexa?’ is to recognize citalopram’s method of action. Citalopram works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or chemical that is used in the process of sending messages from one nerve cell to another. When a message travels through a nerve, the nerve ending releases serotonin. When serotonin gets to the next nerve cell in the chain, receptors are activated and the message continues along the line. The cell that released the serotonin then reabsorbs any residual chemical that is in the gap. This is called “reuptake.” Under normal circumstances, this process occurs without any problems.
When there is not enough serotonin between nerve cells, disorders such as depression or anxiety may occur. Celexa blocks the reuptake of serotonin so that more of it remains in between the brain’s nerve cells. Serotonin then has a better chance of activating the chemical receptors on the next nerve cell. This is believed to enhance mood and alleviate some of the symptoms of depression.
Other Names for Celexa
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Lawsuits & Legal Information for Celexa
Author:
Lainee Hooks
Posted on Mar 8, 2012
