Celexa is one of many antidepressants and it is a member of a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The main purpose of such drugs is to restore the balance of serotonin, a brain neurotransmitter which is believed to have huge impact on development of depression.
Celexa is prescribed to patients suffering from depression and it can additionally have several more indications.
More on Celexa
Patients who are prescribed Celexa are told never to use this drug together with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), another group of medications which can be prescribed to people suffering from depression. So Celexa is not supposed to be combined with any of the following: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline or tranylcypromine. In case a person is taking one of the mentioned drugs he/ she should wait for at least two weeks for the body to completely eliminate the specific MAO inhibitor and then start using Celexa.
One more measure of precaution is related to suicidal tendencies the drug may cause in the very beginning of the treatment. Therefore, once the treatment is initiated, patients (particularly individuals younger than 24 years) are closely monitored on a regular basis.Prior the Treatment
Prior starting the treatment with Celexa one is supposed to inform his/her doctor about all the allergies he/ she is suffering from (drug allergies, food allergies etc) as well as medical conditions an individual is dealing with. This particularly refers to liver or kidney disease, seizures, epilepsy, bipolar disorder etc. A history of drug abuse must be reported as well. Furthermore, patients are due to report all the medications and remedies they are currently taking. The doctor will, this way, know which patients may develop side effects and, therefore, should be closely monitored.
Side Effects of Celexa
There are certain side effects associated with intake of Celexa. Some of them include changes in blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hyperhidrosis. Additionally, there may be hallucinations, headaches, trembling, insomnia and other sleep disturbances. Women may not be able to reach the climax while men may develop impotence or suffer from ejaculatory problems. Anxiety, allergic reactions, mood swings and confusion are not so common side effects.
Celexa belongs to FDA pregnancy category C, meaning it is forbidden to be administered in pregnant women. The same refers to breastfeeding mothers since the drug can pass into breast milk. It is wise to consult a doctor if a woman becomes pregnant during treatment or is planning to become pregnant.
In spite of all the mentioned Celexa is quite safe drug if taken as recommended. Since it does not interact with many medications it can be safely used with some prescribed drugs patients are taking for a longer period of time. This makes the drug highly suitable for people with comorbidities and elderly patients.
Abrupt cessation of Celexa may cause withdrawal symptoms. This is why the drug should be discontinued slowly, by reducing the daily dosage.
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