Celexa

Celexa was approved in 1998 as a treatment for depression, and has been well tolerated among the more than 8 million people who have taken it around the world. In addition, it is less expensive than some other SSRIs. Celexa is taken once a day in the morning or evening, with or without food, typically beginning with a 20-mg dose. This can be increased to 40 mg if needed.
Side effects. Side effects with this medication typically are mild and don’t last very long. You may notice dry mouth, diarrhea, tremor, insomnia, or sleepiness. A few people notice low blood pressure, dizziness when standing up, rapid heartbeat, headache, weight loss or gain, confusion, coughing, rash, itching, or taste problems. Celexa also interferes with many aspects of sexual function and interest.
Food and drug interactions. You should not drink and take Celexa, and you should discuss with your doctor any nonprescription medicines you take. Some drugs affect the way Celexa works in the body, including cimetidine (which raises the blood level of Celexa);

antifungal drugs and the antibiotic erythromycin may slow down Celexa’s clearance from the body. Celexa doubles the concentration of a metabolite of the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine, and you should never combine Celexa with any MAOI.
Special concerns. You should tell your doctor if you have mania, seizures, or liver or kidney disease. Celexa stays in the body twice as long in patients with liver problems, so lower doses will probably be recommended if you have this problem.

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