Celexa®
The following information is a summary. It is
not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
How Does Celexa (citalopram HBr) Work?
Celexa
is an antidepressant from the family of drugs
known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
or SSRIs.
Celexa helps to restore the brain's chemical
balance by increasing the supply of a chemical
messenger in the brain called serotonin. Because
Celexa appears to relieve depression by increasing
serotonin with minimal effect on many of the other
chemicals in the brain, it may cause relatively
few and mild side effects, which tend to go away
with continued treatment.
Frequently Asked
Questions about Celexa (citalopram HBr)
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.
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