Celexa Citalopram Hydrobromide (Celexa) Belongs to a

Celexa Citalopram hydrobromide (Celexa) belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It works by raising the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that aids in maintaining mental balance. Citalopram comes as a tablet and a liquid solution to take by mouth. It is typically taken once a day with or without food and should be taken at around the same time every day (Medications and Drugs, 2012).

Citalopram is also sometimes used to treat eating disorders, alcoholism, panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and social phobia (Citalopram, 2011). Nausea, dry mouth, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, weakness, tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, increased sweating, blurred vision, or yawning may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, one should tell their doctor promptly. This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

The risk increases when this medication is used with certain other drugs such as triptans which are used to treat migraine headaches, certain antidepressants including other SSRI's and SNRI's, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, or a certain drug to treat obesity. Before taking this drug, tone should tell their doctor if they take any of these medications. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely when one starts or increases the dose of any of these medications.

One should seek immediate medical attention if they develop some of the following symptoms: hallucinations, restlessness, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, unexplained fever, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitchy muscles (Celexa Oral, 2012). For males, there is a very unlikely chance that they may suffer from painful or prolonged erections lasting 4 or more hours. If this happens one should stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

However, seek immediate medical attention if one notices any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling, especially of the face/tongue/throat, severe dizziness, trouble breathing (Celexa Oral, 2012). This medication may cause withdrawal reactions when one stops taking it, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms, such as nervousness, headache, numbness, tingling, trouble sleeping, nightmares may take place if one suddenly stops using this medication.

In order to prevent withdrawal reactions, the doctor may reduce ones dose gradually. People should consult their doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately (Celexa Oral, 2012). Based upon the chemical imbalance theory of mental illness, Celexa successfully raises the citalopram levels in ones brain by letting the synapses soak in serotonin for longer than normal by slowing or inhibiting the instrument of serotonin transmission deeper into the neurons.

"Depending on where, and to what extent that effect on serotonin occurs, the regulation of dopamine can be affected, which is the likely cause of various side effects, especially those involving sexual dysfunction" (Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide), 2012). Founded upon its effectiveness and, now that it's accessible as a generic almost everywhere and cost, citalopram is one of, if not the most-prescribed antidepressant drug there is. It's definitely the most-prescribed and usually the first-prescribed for MDD wherever it's accessible (Citalopram, Celexa, 2012).

Celexa is presently the only SSRI approved by the FDA for one thing: depression. Although that may change as it is undergoing phase III tests to treat hot flashes in women who experience them often long after menopause or during breast cancer therapy (Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide), 2012). In short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders, antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Anyone considering the use of Celexa or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies have not shown an augment in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond the age of 24. There has been evidence of a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves linked with increases in the risk of suicide.

Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be watched appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be told of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Celexa has not been approved for use in pediatric patients (Celexa, 2011). The efficacy of Celexa as a treatment for depression was established in two placebo-controlled studies of 4 to 6 weeks in length in adult outpatients meeting DSM-III or DSMIII-R criteria for major depression.

Study 1 was a 6-week trial in which patients received fixed Celexa doses of 10, 20, 40, and 60 mg/day. This study showed that Celexa at doses of 40 and 60 mg/day was effective as measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) total score, the HAMD depressed mood item, the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Severity scale. This study showed no clear effect of the 10 and 20 mg/day doses, and the 60 mg/day dose was not more effective than the 40 mg/day dose.

In study 2 which was a 4-week, placebo-controlled trial in depressed patients, of whom 85% met criteria for melancholia, the initial dose was 20 mg/day, followed by titration to the maximum tolerated dose or a maximum dose of 80 mg/day. Patients treated with Celexa showed considerably greater improvement than patients treated with a placebo on the HAMD total score, HAMD item 1, and the CGI Severity score.

In three additional placebo-controlled depression trials that were carried out, the difference in response to treatment between patients receiving Celexa and patients receiving placebo was not statistically significant enough to make a difference. Researchers thought that this was possibly due to high impulsive response rates, smaller sample sizes than before, or, in the case of one study, too low a dose being given (Celexa, 2011).

In two long-term studies, depressed patients who had reacted to Celexa during an initial 6 or 8 weeks of heightened treatment were randomized to continuation of Celexa or to placebo. In both studies, patients receiving continual Celexa treatment experienced considerably lower relapse rates over the following 6 months compared to those receiving placebo. In the fixed-dose study, the.