Can Celexa cause jaw clenching?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Can Celexa cause jaw clenching?
Yes, Celexa can cause jaw clenching in some individuals. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding are not common with Celexa, but SSRIs in general are known to induce such behaviour in a number of people who have never done this before.
If you feel like your jaw clenching while you’re being treated with Celexa, talk to your healthcare provider. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding, if become severe, can cause a number of disturbing symptoms, including:
- Loud teeth grinding or clenching
- Pain in jaw muscles and tightening.
- Difficulty in chewing
- Pain in the entire face and neck
- Inability to fall asleep
- Inability to speak properly in severe cases, where it becomes difficult to open and close your jaw easily.
- Damaged teeth
- Gum bleeding
What does research suggest?
Research studies have indicated that there is a possible link between SSRIs, including Celexa (Citalopram), and jaw clenching-teeth grinding (bruxism), because of how these antidepressants can affect serotonin levels. Some studies also suggest that these side effects can be managed by Buspirone (1).
Experts have indicated that this side effect is not that commonly reported with Celexa, as compared to other SSRIs. However, people respond differently to medications and some people may experience more pronounced side effects on Celexa (2).
Generally, Celexa is considered a well-tolerated antidepressant at standard therapeutic doses which can help with depression, anxiety, OCD, and related symptoms – like anger and agitation.
What to do if Celexa causes jaw clenching?
Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel your jaw clenching while you’re taking Celexa. If it’s an early side effect, it may subside on its own within a few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. Some other antidepressants, like Wellbutrin, may also cause a similar side effect.
However, you may need treatment if this side effect persists and the further use of Celexa becomes questionable in such situations.
Celexa-induced jaw clenching can also cause headaches. Although Celexa may help prevent migraine headaches in some rare cases, some of the side effects of Celexa can actually trigger headaches.
Celexa may also cause other side effects, like irritability, anxiety, drowsiness, dizziness, etc.
This is why some doctors may prescribe Celexa with a benzodiazepine, like Ativan, Valium, Xanax, etc to reduce early anxiety caused by Celexa, which can make jaw clenching worse.
Celexa-induced side effects are generally expected to reduce with time. However, if this antidepressant continues to harm you and affect the quality of your life, your doctor will most likely switch you to another medication. Jaw clenching, however, can be managed by the following methods:
Dose reduction
Your doctor may reduce your Celexa dose at first, which may help you with your jaw clenching. It does work in some cases but may not reduce the intensity of this side effect in every case. If dose reduction works for you, your jaw clenching will become better without discontinuing Celexa.
Addition of Buspirone
Your doctor may prescribe Buspirone, which is an effective medication for controlling jaw clenching and teeth grinding. The usual dose of Buspirone is 5 to 10 mg, taken twice or thrice a day. Make sure you properly follow your doctor’s directions.
OTC medications like Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also be taken for pain relief. This OTC painkiller is least likely to interact with Celexa and other antidepressants.
Muscle relaxers
Muscle relaxers can also be used to manage jaw clenching, which is usually caused as a result of involuntary contraction and tightening of your jaw muscles. Jaw exercises and warm compress can also help relax and strengthen your jaw muscles.
Mouth guard
Your healthcare provider may ask you to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and jaw muscles from the negative impacts of continuous jaw clenching.
Botox Injections
Botox Injections can also be used to control severe and continuous jaw clenching. These injections basically cause muscle paralysis, which allows your jaw muscles to heal.
Although Botox injections can be successfully used for jaw clenching, they are associated with a number of side effects and may not be suitable for every other individual.
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References
1.-
Garrett AR, Hawley JS. SSRI-associated bruxism: A systematic review of published case reports. Neurol Clin Pract. 2018 Apr;8(2):135-141. doi: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000433. PMID: 29708207; PMCID: PMC5914744. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29708207/
2.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 2771, Citalopram; [cited 2023 Feb. 8]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Citalopram
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