Celexa is an antidepressant in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRI, category. Its generic name is citalopram.
Function of Celexa
SSRIs work by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin
in the synaptic channel. The serotonin stays in force in the brain
longer, resulting in elevated mood. In this way, SSRIs like Celexa have
been effective in the treatment of clinical depression in some patients.
Drug Interactions and Side Effects with Celexa
Some studies have shown an increase in suicidal ideation and action
following treatment with an SSRI. Many depression researchers believe
that this occurs because those with severe depression are not motivated
to any major thoughts or actions, but they recover enough to entertain
and perhaps even act on these thoughts once the medication becomes
effective. This can be a very dangerous time for the patient, which is
why it is critical that use of SSRIs for major depressive disorders be
accompanied by some kind of professional counseling. This counseling
may take the form of psychoanalytic talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral
modification, group therapy or some other method where the patient’s
changing emotions and feelings can be closely monitored.
Those
taking MAO inhibitors cannot take Celexa, and Celexa is FDA pregnancy
category C, meaning pregnant women cannot take Celexa without risking
severe side effects to their babies.
How to Take Celexa
Take Celexa exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not vary amounts
or the length between doses. Take care to make sure you are taking the
correct dose, and if you miss a dose, skip it if it is close to the
time for you to take your next dose. Do not double dose. Celexa is a
slow-acting drug that takes time for levels to build up in the
bloodstream, so patients should not expect to feel its effects for up
to four weeks or more. Celexa should not be discontinued without a
doctor’s supervision, as patients will need to taper off the drug
gradually to avoid adverse effects.
About Depression
Depression can have a variety of causes and can be treated in a variety
of ways. Depression in response to an upsetting, life-changing event is
natural, but depression that does not abate, or recurs without an
inciting reason, indicates a disorder that requires treatment. This
treatment will almost invariably be a combination of medication and
some form of talk therapy. This combined method will treat both the
chemical imbalance in the brain and the psychosocial factors that may
be causing the depression to persist.
