Celexa is an Antidepressant drug used to treat depression. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), that work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.

Always follow your doctor’s instructions and use Celexa exactly as prescribed.

• Take once daily, with or without food.
• Celexa may take up to 4 weeks to show symptom improvement. Don’t discontinue without your doctor’s direction.

Don’t take Celexa if you’ve used an MAOI in the past 14 days.

Before taking Celexa, inform your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Liver or kidney disease
• Seizures
• Bleeding or blood clotting disorder
• Glaucoma
• Bipolar disorder
• Heart disease
• Drug abuse or suicidal thoughts
• Family history of Long QT syndrome
• Drug abuse or suicidal thoughts or actions
• Electrolyte imbalance (e.g. low potassium, magnesium)

Common side effects of Celexa include:

• Headache
• Dizziness or feeling shaky
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Nausea, diarrhea, gas
• Weight gain and increased appetite
• Insomnia or drowsiness
• Numbness and tingling
• Rapid heartbeat

Contact your doctor if you experience these more serious side effects:

• Vision problems – blurred vision, tunnel vision, painful or swollen eyes, halos
• Feeling light-headed or passing out
• Headache with chest pain, dizziness, fainting and pounding heartbeats
• Nervous system symptoms – stiff muscles, tremors, sweating, confusion, fast heart rate
• High serotonin levels – nausea, vomiting, fainting, hallucinations, agitation, fast heart rate

How can I make the most out of treatment with Celexa?

If you take Celexa for depression or anxiety, psychotherapy with a counselor or psychologist can help you better cope with mental health issues.

Is it safe to stop taking Celexa?

Like other antidepressant drugs, quitting Celexa abruptly can result in withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about tapering off of Celexa, and never stop taking it without your doctor’s guidance.