CELEXA - Citalopram Hydrobromide

Celexa Used For

Celexa is an antidepressant prescribed for the treatment of depression.

Directions for Celexa drug

Celexa should be administered at an initial dose of 20 mg once daily, which can later be increased to 40 mg/day. All dose increments should be limited to 20 mg only with intervals of not less than one week between two increments. Celexa should be administered once daily, in the morning or evening, with or without food.

How Celexa medication works

Patients started on serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs in combination with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) may experience serious, sometimes fatal, reactions including hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, autonomic instability with possible rapid fluctuations of vital signs, and mental status changes including extreme agitation progressing to delirium and coma. Similar reactions might take place in patients who have recently gone off SSRI treatment and have started on an MAOI. Celexa is not indicated for lactating or pregnant women or women who wish to become pregnant soon since it might cause defects in the development of the fetus or breast feeding baby. Administration of Celexa to children with depression must be done cautiously under constant medical supervision. Patients having allegeries of food, substance or preservatives should also take special care while starting on Celexa.

Side effects of Celexa antidepressant

Like all medications, Celexa also has its side effects which include tachycardia, postural hypotension, hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia, edema of the extremities, angina pectoris, extra systoles, cardiac failure, flushing, myocardial infarction, cerebro vascular accident, myocardial ischemia, transient ischemic attack, phlebitis, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest, bundle branch block, paresthesia, migraine, hyperkinesias, vertigo, hypertonia, extrapyramidal disorder, leg cramps, involuntary muscle contractions, hypokinesia, neuralgia, dystonia, abnormal gait, hypesthesia and ataxia. It is advisable to consult a doctor immediately if any of the above listed side effects get aggravated or persist over an extended period.

Other Celexa Information

Celexa tablets may be split and taken at half the dose, but only after medical advice.