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How to choose, buy and take Celexa

// June 29th, 2010 // Depression

buy celexa

The newest SSRI is Celexa (citalopram HBr), approved for the treatment of depression by the FDA in the summer of 1998. A highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, Celexa is the best-selling antidepressant in 13 other countries. Celexa offers help to a broad range of patients, both improving depression and preventing relapse, and was well-tolerated in studies of more than 23,000 people over 10 years. It has helped more than 8 million people in the 64 countries where it lias been available.
You should take Celexa once a day in the morning or evening, with or without food. Your doctor will probably begin with a 20-milligram daily dose, increasing it to 40 milligrams if you don't respond. Although certain patients may require a dose of 60 milligrams a day, studies haven't found that this higher dosage is any more effective than is 40 milligrams. Improvement may take between one week and one month.
The risk of fatal overdose using Celexa alone is low; of the 12 reported overdose fatalities, 10 occurred when Celexa was combined with other drugs and/or alcohol. The two fatal cases when Celexa was used alone were at overdoses of 3,920 milligrams and 2,800 milligrams; there were also reports of nonfatal overdoses at up to 6,000 milligrams.

Celexa Side Effects

Side effects reported with Celexa were generally mild and tend to fade away during treatment. Frequent (but mild) side effects include nausea, dry mouth, sweating, insomnia, tremor, diarrhea, and sleepiness. As with all SSRIs, Celexa should be used with caution in patients with a history of mania or seizures.
In at least 1 out of 100 patients, other symptoms include low blood pressure, dizziness when standing up, rapid heartbeat, headache, excessive saliva, flatulence, weight loss or gain, poor concentration, amnesia, apathy, increased appetite, confusion, cessation of menstrual periods, coughing, rash, itching, and taste problems. Like most SSRIs, Celexa appears to interfere with many aspects of sexual experience and function, particularly ejaculation delays, decreased sex drive, lack of orgasms, and impotence.

Celexa Interactions

One of the strengths of this SSRI is that there are few drug interactions. The manufacturer does not recommend combining alcohol with Celexa, and you should tell your doctor if you take (or plan to take) any prescription or over-the-counter medication. Certain drugs may affect the strength of blood medication levels or slow down clearance from the body, including:

• Cimetidine: This drug raises the blood level of Celexa

• Antifungal drugs: There is a potential that these drugs (ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, or omeprazole) may slow down the clearance of Celexa from the body

• Erythromycin: This antibiotic may potentially slow down the clearance of Celexa from the body

• Tricyclics: Celexa doubles the concentration of a metabolite of imipramine

• MAOIs: As with all SSRIs, severe potential side effects can occur if taken within two weeks of a MAOI antidepressant

Pregnancy and Breast-feeding

Celexa is classified as pregnancy category C by the FDA due to abnormal effects on animal fetus development and birth when given higher-than-normal human doses, including stillbirth, decreased birth weight, and perinatal death. Based on animal studies, it's important to weigh the risk of damage to the fetus against the risk of going without the antidepressant during pregnancy. Because there were no adequate or well-controlled studies in pregnant women, the manufacturer advises that Celexa should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Celexa is passed through breast milk and there were two reports of infants experiencing sleepiness, decreased feeding, and weight loss. The manufacturer recommends that treatment should balance the risks of Celexa exposure for the baby and the benefits for the mother.

Celexa and Older Patients

Studies on older patients determined that Celexa was just as sale and effective for younger and older adults, although blood concentrations were higher and the drug stayed in the body longer among older patients. Because Celexa has little potential to affect the metabolism of other drugs, it may be a good choice for senior citizens. Most older people in the Celexa studies received daily doses of 20 to 40 milligrams; 20 milligrams daily is the recommended dose for most older patients. New studies suggest Celexa also helps prevent recurrence of depression in the elderly.