Celexa is an antidepressant medication used to treat bipolar disorder. It works by affecting the brain’s neurotransmitters (nerves dealing with communication) and the way they affect the surrounding nerves. Research stated that a neurotransmitter imbalance causes depression and possibly mania. Celexa is in a class known as SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors:
Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft) and prevents the uptake of the chemical serotonin after its release. Managing the reuptake is the way Celexa manages the disorder. Reducing the reuptake results in serotonin being available in larger quantities for use by other nerve cells. SSRIs, including Celexa, should not be taken with other drugs, especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like Marplan, Nardil, Parnate and Matulane. Adverse reactions can include: confusion, high blood pressure, tremors and hyperactivity.
Side Effects
Celexa, like all other drugs, can have a variety of side effects. At least 10% of patients have these side effects:
Fatigue
Dry Mouth
Increased Sweating (hyperhidrosis)
Trembling
Headaches
Dizziness
Sleep Disturbances
Cardiac Arrythmia
Blood Pressure changes
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrehoa
Heightened Anorgasmia in females
Impotence and ejaculatory problems in males
Some people have reported allergic reactions, convulsions, mood changes, anxiety and confusion as well as bruxism (teeth grinding). As the patient is tapered off of Celexa, there have been reports of sensations of minor electric shocks in the upper body and hands due to chemical changes in the brain. One really common side effect of using Celexa is sexual side effects for men and women. This is reversible but can last long term, even after the drug has stopped.
Some patients report panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and self harm in the first few weeks that they use the drug. This is often before the antidepressant begins to work. Until better information is available, patients receiving SSRIs should be monitored for worsening depression and suicidal tendencies. Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. The symptoms of Celexa overdose include: amnesia, bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin, coma, confusion, convulsions, dizziness, drowsiness, hyperventilation, nausea, rapid heartbeat, sweating, tremor and vomiting.
Safety and Withdrawal
Celexa is safe and well-tolerated in the therapeutic dose range of 20 to 60 mg per day. Celexa is not recommended for individuals taking MAOIs. It is considered relatively safe in overdose, although fatal dosages of 840mg to 1960mg have been reported. Discontinuation or withdrawal symptoms have been reported with commencing of treatment. When Celexa is withdrawn the patient will typically experience negative symptoms, regardless of dosage.
Withdrawal symptoms can start in as few as eight hours of the patient missing a dose and then go on up to eight weeks, sometimes even more. Symptoms include: “dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache, gait instability and insomnia.”
Withdrawal is most common with antidepressants that have a short half-life (the amount of time it takes for half the drug to clear from your body). Tapering of Celexa therapy in bipolar depression is essential to diminish the occurrence of discontinuation symptoms.
