Does Celexa cause irritability? (3+ factors)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss whether Celexa (Citalopram) cause irritability. We will also discuss some factors influencing irritability and how to manage irritability while taking Celexa.
Does Celexa cause irritability?
Yes, Celexa may cause irritability in some individuals. Although it is a common side effect, individual responses to medications may vary.
Celexa, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is an antidepressant used to treat mental health conditions including depression and anxiety (1).
Irritability is usually experienced during the early course of treatment and it begins to subside when your body adjusts to it (2).
This is because antidepressants alter the number of active chemicals in your brain and your body does not get used to it right away. It can take 4 to 6 weeks before you begin to see a noticeable difference in your depression symptoms.
So, if you are feeling irritable during the first few weeks of your treatment with Celexa, don’t worry!
What to do if Celexa causes irritability?
If Celexa causes irritability, reach out to your healthcare provider. Your doctor will properly examine your condition and will determine the most appropriate way to resolve your symptoms.
Although irritability or agitation caused by Celexa is not a serious side effect and may subside on its own once you get used to the medication if this side effect is bothersome, communicate with your healthcare provider.
They try dose reduction at first. If you find relief on a lower dose your doctor may ask you to take it for some time. However, if dose reduction does not work, your doctor will recommend stopping the medication gradually.
It is crucial to not skip the doses or discontinue the antidepressants abruptly. Celexa can take some time to leave your system. Its abrupt withdrawal is associated with a condition called “discontinuation syndrome” (3). It results in symptoms like
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Sweating
If the antidepressant continues to harm you and affect the quality of your life, your doctor will most likely switch you to another medication.
Potential factors influencing irritability in Celexa users
Several factors can influence the occurrence of irritability in individuals who are taking Celexa:
Dosage: Higher doses of Celexa may increase the likelihood of irritability as a side effect. So, for some people lower dose might be more appropriate.
Individual variability: People react differently to medications because of their genetic makeup, what causes irritability in one person may not affect another in the same way.
Initial adjustment: Irritability could be more pronounced during the initial adjustment period and could improve with time.
Duration of use: Some individuals experience irritability when they have been using Celexa for a long period. This might be related to long-term changes in the neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
Drug interactions: Celexa can interact with other medications which increases the risk of irritability. It is important to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications you are taking to minimize potential interactions.
Underlying conditions: Depression and anxiety themselves can cause irritability, and as the medication helps alleviate these symptoms, irritability may decrease.
Adherence to treatment plan: If an individual is not taking Celexa as prescribed it can result in fluctuations in medication levels in the body which may contribute to irritability or other side effects.
Tips to manage irritability while taking Celexa
Here are some tips for managing irritability as a side effect while taking Celexa:
- Maintain a consistent medication schedule as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Avoid or limit the consumption of alcohol and substances that can interact with Celexa.
- Do regular physical activity and exercise to help reduce stress and improve mood.
- Maintain a balanced diet with nutritious food.
- Be patient as your body adjusts to the medication and irritability may lessen over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Celexa (Citalopram) can cause irritability as a side effect, particularly during the initial adjustment phase. However, not everyone will exerpience this side effect, and irritability may improve with time as the body adapts to the medication. Monitoring by healthcare provider is important to address and manage any adverse effects while taking Celexa.
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