Citalopram is in the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs a class that also contains Fluoxetine i.e. Prozac, Paroxetine i.e. Paxil and Sertraline i.e. Zoloft. Citalopram is an antidepressant medication that affects neurotransmitters, which are the chemical transmitters within the brain. Neurotransmitters manufactured and released by nerves attach to the adjacent nerves and alter their activities. Thus neurotransmitters can be thought of as the communication system of the brain. Many experts believe that an imbalance among neurotransmitters is the cause of depression.

Citalopram works by preventing the uptake of one neurotransmitter serotonin by nerve cells after it has been released. Such uptake is an important mechanism for removing released neurotransmitters and terminating their actions on adjacent nerves. The reduced uptake caused by citalopram results in freer serotonin in the brain to stimulate nerve cells.

Before taking Celexa ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking Celexa. Do not let anyone else take your medication especially a woman who is or may become pregnant.

Citalopram was approved by the FDA in July 1998.

Usually Citalopram is given as a daily single dose in the morning. Doses are often adjusted slowly upwards to find the most effective dose. As with all antidepressants it may take several weeks of treatment before maximum effects are seen. Elderly patients debilitated persons and patients with certain kidney or liver diseases may need lower doses.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly and also read the prescription label carefully. However, if you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately.

It has been suggested that SSRIs may cause depression to worsen and even lead to suicide in a small number of patients. These potential side effects are difficult to evaluate in depressed patients because depression can progress with or without treatment and suicide is itself a consequence of depression. Moreover, the evidence supporting these potential side effects is weak. Therefore, no conclusions can yet be drawn about the relationship between SSRIs and worsening depression and suicide. Until better information is available patients receiving SSRIs should be monitored for worsening depression and suicidal tendencies.

The most commonly-noted side effects associated with Citalopram are headache, vomiting, excessive sweating, nausea, tremor and inability to sleep. Overall between 1 in 6 and 1 in 5 persons experience such side effects. Some patients may experience withdrawal reactions upon stopping some SSRIs such as Paroxetine and such symptoms also may occur with Citalopram. Symptoms of withdrawal include irritability, tingling sensations, dizziness, poor mood, vivid dreams or tiredness.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form.

All SSRIs including Citalopram should not be taken with any of the mono-amine oxidase MAO inhibitor-class of antidepressants. For example - isocarboxazid i.e. Marplan, phenelzine i.e. Nardil, tranylcypromine i.e. Parnate and procarbazine i.e. Matulane.

Such combinations may lead to high blood pressure, confusion, hyperactivity and tremor. This same type of interaction also may occur with selegiline i.e. Eldepryl, fenfluramine i.e. Pondimin and dexfenfluramine i.e. Redux. Tryptophan can cause sweating, headaches, dizziness and nausea when taken with any SSRI.

It’s also important to inform your health care professional, if you are a frequent user of drinks with alcohol or caffeine or if you smoke or if you use any kind of illegal drugs as these things may affect the way your medicine works.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor if you have or ever had: mania, suicidal thoughts like previous suicide attempt, receiving electroconvulsive therapy, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, liver disease, seizures etc.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. And, if it is almost the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue to your regular dosing. Do not double your doses in any case and consult your doctor for the missed dosage.

Celexa i.e. Citalopram medication is used for the management of depression. It also has been tested in persons with obsessive- compulsive disorders and panic disorders.
However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Celexa i.e. Citalopram medication.

Citalopram i.e. Celexa medication should be stored at 15-30°C and 59-86°F and at cool and dry place. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. In any case, do not store the Celexa tablets in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Celexa:

1. It is very important for the patient to know that before using Celexa they must inform their health care professional if they have ever had a history of or are currently suffering from any kind of severe or mild diseases like - mania, suicidal thoughts like previous suicide attempt, receiving electroconvulsive therapy, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, liver disease, seizures, any history of mental or mood disorders such as bipolar disorder allergies etc.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctor immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Celexa or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know if you are in-taking health supplements, any OTC, medications, vitamins, any prescription and non-prescription medicine including astemizole, dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, terfenadine or Tramadol, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen, cyproheptadine, Clozapine, sumatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan or lithium or you have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitor i.e. MAOI including - furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline and tranylcypromine in last 2 weeks.

4. Do not use the Celexa medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Celexa i.e. Citalopram medication or it may result in abortion. Hence, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.