Does Celexa Cause Jitters? (3+ Strategies)

By Ivan Kahwa

Page last updated: 02/01/2024 | Next review date: 02/01/2026

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

Ivan Kahwa

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In this article, we will discuss whether Celexa can cause jitters. We will also discuss some research studies and what you should do if this side effect occurs.

Does Celexa cause jitters?

Yes, Celexa (Citalopram) can cause jitters. It is not considered a common side effect, but antidepressants like Celexa may sometimes trigger jitters in some people.

Celexa, a brand for Citalopram, is an antidepressant used to treat some mental health conditions like depression and anxiety (1).

Celexa can make some people jittery, especially during the early course of their treatment. People who are sensitive to the stimulation of neurotransmitters are more susceptible to this side effect, or those who are new to Celexa or antidepressants in general.

Celexa can also affect your sleep architecture in different ways, which can trigger jitters in some people. If you are a new user of Celexa and feel jittery, you will get better within a few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication.

What does research suggest?

There is limited research on jitters caused by Celexa, as the antidepressant is known to counteract such symptoms. However, Celexa and related antidepressants can cause jitteriness in the early course of the treatment.

One study reported a case in which a 61-year-old woman experienced panic attacks when her Citalopram dosage was raised and her anxiety stopped when she stopped taking the medication (2).

Another research study with Citalopram indicated what’s commonly observed in anxiety disorder patients on SSRIs. Anxiety can temporarily increase at the start of the treatment with Citalopram but usually decreases after a few weeks (3).

The appearance of early side effects like jitters is a common thing among antidepressant users which may or may not affect their treatment plan (4). Some other antidepressants like Zoloft and Effexor can also cause early anxiety or jitteriness.

Why does Celexa cause jitters?

Celexa causes jitters as an early side effect because of the way it works. Celexa is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, an excitatory neurotransmitter associated with improving mood.

This increases the availability of serotonin in the brain and manages the symptoms associated with depression and other mental health conditions.

This increase in serotonin levels is not well-tolerated by your body when you start taking Celexa for the very first time and you begin to feel jittery. Once your body adjusts to the medication, this side effect subsides.

What to do if Celexa causes jitters?

If you are experiencing jitters during the early course of your treatment with Celexa, don’t worry. This side effect will fade away on its own within a few days. However, if you continue to feel so after weeks and weeks of treatment with Celexa, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider.

Sometimes, the initial antidepressant dose is a bit high for new users and higher doses can cause jitters. If that’s the case your doctor will reduce your dose to give you some time to adjust to the lower dose. Once your body adjusts to a lower dose, your doctor will gradually increase it till you reach an appropriate Celexa dose.

If your jitters persist or become too bothersome, discontinuing medication under your doctor’s guidance might be necessary. The good point is that once you stop taking Celexa, the jitters typically improve over time on their own.

Your healthcare provider may sometimes prescribe another antidepressant with fewer early side effects.

Antidepressants affect people differently, not everyone feels better about them. Celexa is generally well-tolerated, but some people may fail to adjust to it. That is why you should always discuss your side effects with your healthcare provider to determine the safety and efficacy of Citalopram use.

Do not stop using Celexa abruptly

If you are experiencing side effects like jitters, do not stop the medication on your own and talk to your healthcare provider.

If you discontinue the medication too quickly your body will experience “discontinuation syndrome” characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, agitation, tremors, nausea, vomiting, restlessness and dizziness. These are commonly known as “antidepressant withdrawal symptoms” (5).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Celexa may cause jitters in some people during the early course of treatment. While not everyone experiences jitters, some individuals may have this response to the medication. If you are experiencing jitters or other side effects, it is important to consult your healthcare provider for proper guidance and adjustments to your treatment plan.