Case Evaluation

Celexa: Celexa FAQ

What is Celexa?

Celexa is a medication for the treatment of depression. Celexa helps to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply of a substance in the brain called serotonin. Celexa appears to relieve depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

How will Celexa help my depression?

Celexa is an antidepressant that is a member of the family of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Celexa helps to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply of a substance in the brain called serotonin. Celexa appears to relieve depression by increasing serotonin without affecting many of the other chemicals in the brain that influence mood.

When can I expect to feel better with Celexa?

While every person is different, you may notice improvement in your depression with Celexa therapy in 1 to 4 weeks. Your doctor or other healthcare professional may adjust your dosage based upon your response to Celexa. If you don't notice any improvements in a few weeks, you should speak with your doctor or other healthcare professional.

When I begin feeling better, can I stop taking Celexa?

Only your doctor or other healthcare professional can tell you when to stop taking Celexa. Your doctor or other healthcare professional may want you to continue treatment for several months to prevent your depression from coming back. Because it takes time for depression to completely resolve, you should not stop taking your medication as soon as you feel better.

Are there side effects with Celexa?

Celexa has a favorable side-effect profile. As with any medication, you may experience some side effects, but with Celexa, most side effects are mild to moderate, and tend to go away as you continue taking Celexa. The most frequent side effects reported with Celexa are nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, insomnia, increased sweating, tremor, diarrhea, and problems with ejaculation.

What do I do if I experience side effects with Celexa?

Talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional if you have any concerns about side effects or if the side effects do not go away. Be patient with your treatment. You should know that most side effects of Celexa tend to go away within a few weeks.

When is the best time to take Celexa?

Celexa should be taken once a day. You can take it either in the morning or the evening, with or without food.

Can I take Celexa with other medications?

Celexa does not interfere with the metabolism of many drugs. However, you need to make sure you tell your doctor or other healthcare professional if you are taking, or planning to take, any medicine—even the types you buy over the counter. As with other SSRIs, caution is indicated in the coadministration of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) with Celexa. If you're not sure about any medication you are taking, ask your doctor or other healthcare professional.

Can I have alcoholic beverages while taking Celexa?

As with many other medications, you should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while being treated with Celexa.

What else can I do for my depression?

Be sure to keep follow-up appointments with your doctor or other healthcare professional. They need to know how you are doing and might want to change your treatment plan. In addition to taking a medication, you may also want to participate in psychotherapy or "talk therapy". These counseling sessions can provide you with valuable support that can help you better understand how depression affects you and ways you can cope with the illness. While your doctor or other healthcare professional should be your main source of support in depression treatment, talking with a close friend or family member can sometimes be very helpful.

I have heard the makers of Celexa have a medication called Lexapro. What is the difference between Lexapro and Celexa?

Lexapro is a more potent SSRI than Celexa and is better tolerated in the treatment of both depression and anxiety. In a study of patients with moderate to severe depression 47% of patients who did not respond to Celexa treatment responded to treatment with Lexapro.

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