Medications and Drugs

1. Understanding Depression Slideshow
2. Take the Depression Quiz
3. Benefits of Depression Treatment

Brand Names: Celexa

Generic Name: citalopram (oral) (Pronunciation: si TAL o pram)

• What is citalopram (Celexa)?
• What are the possible side effects of citalopram (Celexa)?
• What is the most important information I should know about citalopram (Celexa)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking citalopram (Celexa)?
• How should I take citalopram (Celexa)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Celexa)?
• What happens if I overdose (Celexa)?
• What should I avoid while taking citalopram (Celexa)?
• What other drugs will affect citalopram (Celexa)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is citalopram (Celexa)?

Citalopram is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Citalopram affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.

Citalopram is used to treat depression.

Citalopram may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Celexa 10 mg

oval, beige, imprinted with F P, 10 MG

Celexa 20 mg

elliptical, pink, imprinted with F P, 20 MG

Celexa 40 mg

elliptical, white, imprinted with F P, 40 MG

Citalopram 10 mg-APO

oval, pink, imprinted with APO, CI10

Citalopram 10 mg-EON

oblong, orange, imprinted with E 371

Citalopram 10 mg-PER

round, beige, imprinted with 280, KALI

Citalopram 10 mg-TEV

oblong, peach, imprinted with 93, 4740

Citalopram 10 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with 3176, WPI

Citalopram 20 mg-APO

oblong, pink, imprinted with APO, CI120

Citalopram 20 mg-EON

oblong, pink, imprinted with E 372

Citalopram 20 mg-PER

round, pink, imprinted with 281, KALI

Citalopram 20 mg-RED

round, pink, imprinted with RDY 343

Citalopram 20 mg-TEV

oblong, pink, imprinted with 9 3, 4741

Citalopram 20 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WPI, 3177

Citalopram 40 mg-APO

oval, white, imprinted with APO, CI 40

Citalopram 40 mg-PER

round, white, imprinted with 282, KALI

Citalopram 40 mg-RED

round, white, imprinted with RDY 344

Citalopram 40 mg-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with 9 3, 4742

Citalopram 40 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WPI, 3178

What are the possible side effects of citalopram (Celexa)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes;
• severe dizziness, feeling short of breath, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination; or
• headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

Less serious side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, tired feeling;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• mild nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, dry mouth;
• increased sweating;
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
• weight changes; or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about citalopram (Celexa)?

You should not take citalopram if you are allergic to it, or if you have a history of Long QT syndrome.

Do not use citalopram if you are using an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Before you take citalopram, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, a family history of Long QT syndrome, or low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood.

Do not take citalopram in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. An overdose of citalopram can cause a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

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.

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