Celexa (citalopram)

Citalopram 20mg - 100's
Citalopram 20mg - 200's
Citalopram 20mg - 30's
Citalopram 20mg - 50's

Celexa (citalopram) is used to treat depression. Celexa is in a class of antidepressants (mood elevators) called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.

How should this medicine be used?
Celexa comes as a tablet and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. To help you remember to take Celexa, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Celexa exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of Celexa and gradually increase your dose, not more than once a week.
It may take 1 to 4 weeks before you feel the full benefit of Celexa. Continue to take Celexa even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Celexa without talking to your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow? 
Before taking Celexa,
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Celexa or any other medications.
• do not take Celexa if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or have stopped taking them within the past two weeks.
• you should know that Celexa is very similar to another SSRI, esCelexa (Lexapro). You should not take these two medications together.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: carbamazepine (Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); ketoconazole (Nizoral); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for anxiety, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, and seizures; metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL); other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); sedatives; sleeping pills; sumatriptan (Imitrex); and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack and if you have or have ever had bipolar disorder; seizures; or liver, kidney, or heart disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Celexa, call your doctor.
• you should know that Celexa may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.

What special dietary instructions should I follow? 
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause? 
Celexa may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
• upset stomach
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• drowsiness
• excessive tiredness
• tremor
• excitement
• nervousness
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• muscle or joint pain
• dry mouth
• excessive sweating
• changes in sex drive or ability
• loss of appetite
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience either of them, call your doctor immediately:
• seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
• seizure
Celexa may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

What storage conditions are needed for this medication? 
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.