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Citalopram
Hydrobromide
Brand Name: Celexa
Overview
Celexa
is the brand name for Citalopram, an SSRI — Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. SSRIs work by raising or restoring
serotonin levels and relieving depression. Celexa is a relatively
new drug: introduced in the United States in 1998, though
it has been used in Europe since 1989.
The
effects of this medication can usually be seen in two to
three weeks, though some patients may require four or more
weeks to feel better.
Why
is this drug prescribed?
Celexa
is used to treat patients with major depressive disorder.
It is not for use in patients with bipolar (manic depressive)
disorder as it can exacerbate mania or cause a rapid swing
from the depressive to the manic phase.
Celexa
is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),
though it is not FDA approved for this diagnosis.
Warnings
and Precautions
Celexa
is not addictive, but abrupt discontinuation may cause withdrawal.
Doses should be tapered off when Celexa therapy is discontinued.
Celexa
can cause drowsiness or trouble thinking in some people.
Patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery until
they know that Celexa does not affect their ability to safely
engage in these activities.
Studies
on this medication have only been conducted on adults, and
the effects of Celexa in children below the age of 18 have
not been established.
For
Nursing Mothers: Studies indicate that Celexa can increase
the risk of birth defects when taken by pregnant women;
the doses used in these studies were higher than normal
therapy doses. Celexa is excreted in breast milk, and it
may cause excessive sleepiness and/or weight loss in a nursing
infant; it is not recommended that women breastfeed while
taking Celexa.
Contraindications
Celexa
should Not be used for people with the following medical
conditions:
- kidney
or liver disease — dosage may need to be lowered
- seizures
or a history of seizures
- mania
or a history of mania
Adverse
Reactions
Celexa
may cause the following reactions:
- nausea
- dry
mouth
- sleepiness
- increased
sweating
- low
blood pressure
- minor
weight loss
- increased
appetite
- diarrhea
- impaired
concentration
- high
blood pressure
- hot
flashes
- dry
eyes
- arthritis
- muscle
weakness
- low
concentration of sodium in blood
- sexual
difficulties (decreased libido, ejaculation disorder,
and impotence)
- serotonin
syndrome (see Interactions with Drugs and Other Substances)
Interactions
with Drugs and Other Substances
Drugs
or substances that may interact with Celexa are:
- MAO
Inhibitors (within 14 days) - serious, even life-threatening,
interactions that can occur
- imipramine/
desipramine — Celexa may inhibit the metabolism of
this drug
- alcohol
- grapefruit
juice
- Bromocriptine
(Parlodel), Buspirone (BuSpar) certain tricyclic antidepressants
(amitriptyline [Elavil], clomipramine [Anafranil], imipramine
[Tofranil]), Dextromethorphan (cough medicine), Levodopa
(Sinemet), Lithium (Eskalith), Meperidine (Demerol), Moclobemide
(Manerex), Nefazodone (Serzone), Pentazocine (Talwin),
other SSRIs (fluoxetine [Prozac], fluvoxamine [Luvox],
paroxetine [Paxil], sertraline [Zoloft]), LSD, MDMA (ecstasy),
marijuana, Sumatriptan (Imitrex), Tramadol (Ultram), Trazodone
(Desyrel), Tryptophan, Venlafaxine (Effexor) - Taking
these medicines with Celexa can increase the chance of
developing a very rare, but very serious, unwanted effect
known as the serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin
syndrome include confusion, diarrhea, fever, poor coordination,
restlessness, shivering, sweating, talking or acting with
excitement you cannot control, trembling or shaking, or
twitching.
Sources
http://www.celexa.com/
http://www.health-center.com/db/MessageReq?SessionID=757&TopicID=377&MessageID=18525&
Action=view
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-c04.html
http://www.rxlist.com/scripts/patient/piumore.pl?mononum=852&dc_category=Depression&order=0&
type=&item=
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