Celexa®
Brand Name: Celexa®
Active Ingredient:   citalopram hydrobromide
Strength(s):  20mg, 40mg
Dosage Form(s):   Tablets and 10 mg/5 ml Oral Solution
Company Name:    Forest Pharmaceuticals
Availability:         Prescription only
*Date Approved by the FDA:   July 17, 1998
*Approval by FDA does not mean that the drug is available for consumers at this time.


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What is Celexa used for? Celexa is used to treat depression.
Who should not take Celexa? You should not take Celxa if you are currently taking certain other antidepressant medications in the group called monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine. You should stop taking MAO inhibitors 2 weeks before starting Celexa, and you should be off Celexa for 2 weeks before starting on MAO inhibitor medication.

General Precautions with Celexa:

Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how you will react to Celexa.
Drinking alcohol while being treated with Celexa is not recommended.
If you currently have, or have a history of the following conditions, your health care provider will evaluate you to decide if Celexa is right for you:

Mania
Seizures
Liver disease
Severe kidney problems
What should I tell my doctor or health care provider?

Review all medications that you are taking with your health care provider, including those that you take without a prescription, as there may be interactions.
Tell your health care provider if you are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast feeding.
What are some possible side effects of Celexa? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Celexa. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of 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

I've just been diagnosed with depression. What does that mean?
Depression may be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in your brain. In some people, depression can also be caused by stress, medication, or other medical illnesses. Certain personality traits and family history can also contribute to depression. Depression is not a sign of personal weakness. You just can't "snap out of it."

   

 Everybody gets sad sometimes. Won't depression go away on its own?
No, depression needs to be treated. When depression is not treated, episodes can last for 6 months to 2 years. In fact, more than 50% of people who have experienced at least one episode of depression will eventually experience another. Therefore, to get well and stay well, you need treatment, which is why your doctor or other healthcare professional prescribed Celexa.

 
What is Celexa?
Celexa is a medication for the treatment of depression. Celexa helps to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply of a substance in the brain called serotonin. Celexa appears to relieve depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

 
How will Celexa help my depression?
Celexa is an antidepressant that is a member of the family of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Celexa helps to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply of a substance in the brain called serotonin. Celexa appears to relieve depression by increasing serotonin without affecting many of the other chemicals in the brain that influence mood.

 
When can I expect to feel better?
While every person is different, you may notice improvement in your depression with Celexa therapy in 1 to 4 weeks. Your doctor or other healthcare professional may adjust your dosage based upon your response to Celexa. If you don't notice any improvements in a few weeks, you should speak with your doctor or other healthcare professional.

 
When I begin feeling better, can I stop taking Celexa?
No. Only your doctor or other healthcare professional can tell you when to stop taking Celexa. Your doctor or other healthcare professional may want you to continue treatment for several months to prevent your depression from coming back. Because it takes time for depression to completely resolve, you should not stop taking your medication as soon as you feel better.

 
Are there side effects with Celexa?
Celexa has a favorable side-effect profile. As with any medication, you may experience some side effects, but with Celexa, most side effects are mild to moderate, and tend to go away as you continue taking Celexa. The most frequent side effects reported with Celexa are nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, insomnia, increased sweating, tremor, diarrhea, and problems with ejaculation.

 
What do I do if I experience side effects?
Talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional if you have any concerns about side effects or if the side effects do not go away. Be patient with your treatment. You should know that most side effects of Celexa tend to go away within a few weeks.

 
When is the best time to take Celexa?
Celexa should be taken once a day. You can take it either in the morning or the evening, with or without food.

 
Can I take Celexa with other medications?
Celexa does not interfere with the metabolism of many drugs. However, you need to make sure you tell your doctor or other healthcare professional if you are taking, or planning to take, any medicine”even the types you buy over the counter. As with other SSRIs, caution is indicated in the coadministration of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) with Celexa. If you're not sure about any medication you are taking, ask your doctor or other healthcare professional.

 
Can I have alcoholic beverages while taking Celexa?
As with many other medications, you should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while being treated with Celexa.

 
What else can I do for my depression?
Be sure to keep follow-up appointments with your doctor or other healthcare professional. They need to know how you are doing and might want to change your treatment plan. In addition to taking a medication, you may also want to participate in psychotherapy or "talk therapy". These counseling sessions can provide you with valuable support that can help you better understand how depression affects you and ways you can cope with the illness. While your doctor or other healthcare professional should be your main source of support in depression treatment, talking with a close friend or family member can sometimes be very helpful.

 
What if I have more questions?
Your doctor or other healthcare professional will be glad to answer any questions you may have about Celexa and the treatment of your depression.