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What is Celexa
 Celexa
is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors. Celexa affects chemicals in the brain that may
become unbalanced and cause depression.
Celexa
is used to treat depression.
Celexa
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Celexa
Do not stop taking Celexa without first talking to
your doctor. It may take several weeks for you to start
feeling better.
Use caution when driving, operating
machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Celexa
may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid
these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol
may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Celexa
or affect your condition.
What you should find out before taking
Celexa
You cannot take Celexa if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during
the last 2 weeks. A dangerous drug interaction can occur
if Celexa is combined with any of these medications.
Before taking Celexa, tell your doctor if you
- have
liver disease,
- have kidney disease,
- suffer
from seizures, or
- suffer from mania or have suicidal
thoughts.
You may not be able to take Celexa, or
you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring
during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed
above.
Celexa should not be taken during treatment
with esCelexa (Lexapro). Also, if you have had an allergic
reaction to esCelexa (Lexapro), you may also have an allergic
reaction to Celexa. Do not take Celexa without first talking
to your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to either
medication in the past.
Celexa is in the FDA pregnancy
category C. This means that it is not known whether Celexa
will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Celexa without
first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could
become pregnant during treatment.
Celexa passes into
breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take
Celexa without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding
a baby.
How should take Celexa Take Celexa exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
To ensure
that you get the correct dose, measure the Celexa solution
with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table
spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your
pharmacist where you can get one.
Celexa may be taken
with or without food.
Celexa is usually taken once
a day. Follow your doctor's instructions. Take the dose
at the same time each day.
Do not stop taking Celexa
without first talking to your doctor. It may take several
weeks for you to start feeling better.
Store Celexa
at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose,
skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.
Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise
directed by your doctor.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Celexa overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness,
dizziness, sweating, and a fast heartbeat.
Avoid while taking Celexa Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Celexa may cause
dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness
and dizziness while taking Celexa or affect your condition.
Possible side effects of Celexa If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Celexa and call your doctor immediately
or seek emergency medical treatment:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- an irregular
heartbeat or pulse;
- low blood pressure (dizziness,
weakness);
- high blood pressure (severe headache,
blurred vision); or
- chills or fever.
If
you experience any of the following less serious side effects,
continue taking Celexa and talk to your doctor:
-
headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
- nausea,
diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
-
sleepiness or insomnia; or
- decreased sex drive,
impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
Side effects
other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Celexa You cannot take Celexa if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during
the last 2 weeks. A dangerous drug interaction can occur
when Celexa is combined with any of these medications.
Before taking Celexa, tell your doctor if you are taking
any of the following medicines:
- another antidepressant
such as fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline
(Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), trazodone (Desyrel), or nefazodone
(Serzone);
- a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline
(Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline
(Pamelor), and others;
- a seizure medication including
carbamazepine (Tegretol) or felbamate (Felbatol);
-
a stomach medicine such as cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet
HB), ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), or omeprazole (Prilosec);
- an antibiotic such as erythromycin (Eryc-Tab, E-Mycin,
E.E.S., Erythrocin, P.C.E., others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
- an antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan),
itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
-
a migraine medication such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan
(Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan
(Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
- the asthma medication zafirlukast (Accolate); or
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs).
You may not be able to take Celexa, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment
if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Celexa.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
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