Celexa (citalopram)
Overview :
What is Celexa?
You should not use Celexa if you also take pimozide, or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection. Do not use Celexa if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Celexa. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Do not give Celexa to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Celexa is not approved for use in children.
You should not use Celexa if you are allergic to citalopram or escitalopram (Lexapro), if you also take pimozide, or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection. Do not use Celexa if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. To make sure Celexa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; liver or kidney disease; narrow-angle glaucoma; seizures or epilepsy; heart disease, heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats, or recent history of heart attack; personal or family history of Long QT syndrome; an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); bipolar disorder (manic depression); or a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts. Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Celexa. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. FDA pregnancy category C. Taking an SSRI antidepressant during pregnancy may cause serious lung problems in the baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Celexa.You should not breast-feed while you are using Celexa. Do not give this medicine to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice. Celexa is not approved for use in children.
How should I take Celexa?
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I overdose?
Celexa side effects
Common Celexa side effects may include:
Celexa Dosing Information
Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression:
20 mg/day orally is the maximum recommended dose for patients who are greater than 60 years of age.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Depression:
Children Up To 11 Years:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally once daily; increase dose slowly by 5 mg/day every 2 weeks as clinically needed; dosage range: 20 to 40 mg/day
12 to 18 Years:
Initial: 20 mg orally once daily; increase dose slowly by 10 mg/day every 2 weeks as clinically needed; dosage range: 20 to 40 mg/day
Usual Pediatric Dose for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:
Children Up To 11 years: Initial: 5-10 mg/day given once daily; increase dose slowly by 5 mg/day every 2 weeks as clinically needed; dosage range: 10 to 40 mg/day. 12 to 18 years: Initial: 10 to 20 mg/day given once daily; increase dose slowly by 10 mg/day every 2 weeks as clinically needed; dosage range: 10 to 40 mg/day.
