What is Celexa®?

Celexa®, or citalopram hydrobromide, is a prescription drug primarily used to treat depression. This drug is an SSRI, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. These drugs, also among them Prozac®, Zoloft® and Lexapro®, work by altering the way cells in the brain absorb serotonin, allowing more of this neurotransmitter to circulate throughout the brain. Since serotonin is responsible for feelings of well-being, Celexa® can be used to effectively curb depression in some people. This medication can be taken in either a liquid solution or in tablets.

Celexa® is used mostly to alleviate major depression. This drug is also used to treat body dysmorphic disorder and anxiety. Body dysmorphic disorder causes those afflicted to view their bodies in a grossly distorted way, in many cases imagining themselves to be much heavier than they truly are. Sometimes body dysmorphic disorder accompanies an eating disorder. Anxiety-driven disorders such as social anxiety and panic disorder can also be treated with Celexa®. The symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress syndrome can also be lessened by taking this drug. This medication was at one time considered in treating autism; this has proved ineffective.

Like all antidepressants, Celexa® is not without side-effects. In some patients, introducing an antidepressant can cause depressive episodes to increase in frequency and severity, clearly the opposite of the desired outcome. This increase in depression and suicidal thoughts is most evident in teenagers and young adults, ages 18-24. Consequently, doctors should closely monitor patients who are taking this medication.

Other side effects of Celexa® include drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, nausea, trouble sleeping, excessive sweating, changes in appetite, heart beat irregularities, digestive troubles, changes in libido, and blood pressure abnormalities. These side effects often subside over time. Those taking this medication should refrain from also taking the herbal supplement St. John's Wort, as this compound can intensify adverse effects. Teeth grinding can also be a side effect of this drug, though this is rare.

Additionally, ingesting aspirin while on an SSRI can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention include black stools, confusion, a racing heart, seizures, vision problems and thick, dark vomit. Signs of a serious allergic reaction to Celexa® include a rash, respiratory problems, itchiness, swelling and dizziness. Those suffering from these side effects should also seek a doctor's care. This medication should also not be taken by pregnant or nursing women.

Upon ceasing regular ingestion of Celexa®, withdrawal symptoms may also be experienced. These withdrawal symptoms may include tingling in the limbs, dizziness and drowsiness. These symptoms usually lessen over time and finally cease.

For those who experience side-effects severe enough to make them want to stop taking Celexa®, Lexapro® is a drug with a similar chemical make-up that may prove to be a suitable alternative. It is not uncommon for patients to try several antidepressant drugs before finding the one that works best for them.