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What is Celexa: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 12, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Celexa overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • CeleXA

Generic Names:

  • Citalopram Hydrobromide

Uses:

  • Treats depression.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antidepressant

Forms:

  • Liquid, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What form(s) does Celexa come in

  • Liquid

  • Tablet

What are common Celexa doses?

  • Tablet 10MG

  • Tablet 20MG

  • Tablet 40MG

Common Celexa prescriptions

  • CeleXA
    10 tablets bottle

  • CeleXA
    100 tablets bottle

  • CeleXA
    15 tablets bottle

  • CeleXA
    30 tablets bottle

  • CeleXA
    60 tablets bottle

  • CeleXA
    90 tablets bottle

  • CeleXA
    10mg tablet

  • CeleXA
    20mg tablet

  • CeleXA
    40mg tablet

How to take Celexa

  • Take this medicine as directed. You may need to take it for a month or more before you feel better. Your dose may need to be changed to find out what works best for you.

  • Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Take this medicine as directed. You may need to take it for a month or more before you feel better. Your dose may need to be changed to find out what works best for you.

  • Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Celexa contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to citalopram.

Celexa warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, glaucoma, heart problems, or a seizure disorder. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a bipolar disorder, heart rhythm problem (such as QT prolongation or a slow heartbeat), or a recent heart attack.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems: Heart rhythm problemsSerotonin syndrome (more likely when used with certain other medicines)Increased risk of bleeding problemsLow sodium levelsSlow growth in children

  • This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual behavior

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

Celexa interactions

  • Do not use this medicine together with pimozide. Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other.

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Your doctor may want to monitor your child's weight and height, because this medicine may cause decreased appetite and weight loss in children.

  • Some medicines can affect how citalopram works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following: Buspirone, carbamazepine, chlorpromazine, cimetidine, fentanyl, gatifloxacin, levomethadyl, lithium, methadone, moxifloxacin, omeprazole, pentamidine, St John's wort, thioridazine, tramadol, or tryptophan supplementsAmphetaminesBlood thinner (including warfarin)Diuretic (water pill)Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)Triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches (including sumatriptan)

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Celexa side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there

  • Chest pain, trouble breathing

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

  • Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

  • Feeling more excited or energetic than usual, trouble sleeping, racing thoughts

  • Painful, prolonged erection of your penis

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

  • Eye pain, vision changes, seeing halos around lights

  • Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual behavior

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Sleepiness or drowsiness

  • Dry mouth

  • Sexual problems

  • Decreased appetite, weight loss (in children)

Celexa News & Research

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