Celexa Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Celexa Tablet contains citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and is used to treat depression, including major depressive disorder, in adults. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain to help balance mood. Celexa carries a boxed warning about increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in people younger than 25, and it can cause side effects ranging from nausea and drowsiness to more serious reactions such as serotonin syndrome or heart rhythm changes.

What is Celexa Tablet

Celexa is a prescription medicine used to treat depression in adults, including major depressive disorder (MDD). It contains the active ingredient citalopram, which belongs to the SSRI class of medicines.

Celexa Tablet uses

• Treating depression (major depressive disorder) in adults

Benefits of Celexa Tablet

• In studies lasting 4 to 6 weeks, depression symptoms eased more in people who took Celexa compared with people who took a placebo
• People whose depression eased with Celexa were less likely to have their depression come back again compared with those on placebo

How Celexa Tablet works

Celexa works by increasing the level of a natural brain chemical called serotonin, which helps create a better balance of chemicals involved in mood. This may help improve mood, sleep, and enjoyment of daily activities.

Celexa Tablet dosage

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablets (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg)
• Oral capsules (30 mg)
• Oral solution (10 mg/5 mL)
• Tablet that dissolves on the tongue

Side effects of Celexa Tablet

Common

• Nausea, constipation, or diarrhea
• Sleepiness or drowsiness
• Weakness or fatigue
• Dizziness
• Sexual problems, including delayed ejaculation
• Fever
• Muscle or joint aches and pain
• Agitation or feeling anxious
• Infection in the nose or throat, sinus swelling
• Not feeling hungry (appetite changes)
• Yawning
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Sweating, including hot flashes
• Shaking (tremor)
• Dry mouth
• Painful menstrual periods

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, trouble breathing)
• Heart rhythm changes (QT prolongation), which can cause a racing or skipping heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting
• Increased thoughts of suicide or self-harm, especially in people under 25
• Serotonin syndrome (agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness or twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
• Mania or hypomania (racing thoughts, high energy, reckless behavior, little need for sleep)
• Seizures
• Glaucoma symptoms (eye pain, vision changes, seeing halos around lights, severe headache)
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Low sodium levels (headache, confusion, weakness, unsteadiness, fainting)

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine has a boxed warning, the FDA's most serious warning, because antidepressants like Celexa may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in people younger than 25, including children, teens, and young adults.
• Do not take this medicine with or within two weeks of taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), as this can cause a dangerous or fatal reaction
• Do not take this medicine with pimozide, because the combination can cause a serious heart rhythm problem
• This medicine can cause a serious heart rhythm problem; get medical help right away for chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, shortness of breath, or sudden dizziness
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor, since this can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms
• This medicine may increase the risk of bleeding, especially if combined with other blood-thinning or bleeding-risk medicines like NSAIDs or warfarin
• It isn't fully known if Celexa is safe during pregnancy. Taking it in the last three months of pregnancy may cause problems for the baby, so talk to your doctor before starting or stopping it while pregnant.
• It isn't known for certain if Celexa is safe while breastfeeding. The drug does pass into breast milk, so ask your doctor before breastfeeding while taking it.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before starting Celexa.
• People with liver problems may need a lower maximum dose, since the liver breaks down this medicine.
• It's best to avoid alcohol while taking Celexa, since the combination can increase sleepiness and affect your alertness or ability to think clearly.
• This medicine can make you feel tired or affect your thinking and reaction time, so avoid driving or other activities needing alertness until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C)
• It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it
• Store in a cool, dry place
• Store tablets in a tightly sealed container away from light
• Avoid keeping this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as in bathrooms

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, or hives
• Seek emergency medical help right away if you have signs of serotonin syndrome, such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, fast heartbeat, muscle stiffness or twitching, or nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Call your doctor right away, or call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, if you or your child have new or increased thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or sudden changes in mood or behavior
• Call your doctor right away if you faint or notice changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat, which could signal a serious heart rhythm problem
• Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of a manic episode, such as extreme increase in energy, racing thoughts, or reckless behavior
• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor if you have signs that a seizure is happening or could happen, such as muscle twitching, stiffening of your arms and legs, confusion, or losing consciousness
• Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of glaucoma, such as loss of vision, eye pain or redness, severe headache or vomiting, or seeing halos around lights
• Call your doctor if you notice symptoms of low sodium levels, such as headache, drowsiness, muscle weakness, confusion, or dizziness
• If you take too much of this medicine, get emergency medical help right away or contact a poison control center

Alternatives

• Paroxetine
• Fluoxetine
• Sertraline
• Escitalopram