Does Celexa Cause Paranoia? (3+ Factors)

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 paranoia. We will also discuss some research studies and factors contributing to Citalopram-induced paranoia.

Does Celexa cause paranoia?

Yes, Celexa can cause paranoia. While Celexa can have side effects, including changes in mood and mental state, paranoia is not a commonly reported side effect associated with its use.

Celexa, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is an antidepressant used to treat mental health conditions like depression and anxiety (1).

It is important to note that everyone’s response to medications can be different, and some individuals may experience less common or infrequent side effects including paranoid reactions (2).

Paranoia may occur shortly after starting Celexa treatment or even after being on medication for a while and may subside as your body gets used to the medication.

It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional promptly if someone is experiencing symptoms of paranoia or any other concerning mental health symptoms while taking Celexa.

What does research suggest?

Several research studies indicated the occurrence of paranoid reactions while using Celexa.

One study indicated that although Celexa is considered one of the safer SSRIs, there have been cases where unusual side effects, such as hallucinations and delusions, emerged shortly after starting the medication to treat conditions like depression (3).

Another study stated that SSRIs in general may have the potential to trigger and worsen paranoid reactions when prescribed for individuals with depression. The risk appears to be higher in patients who have a history of paranoid symptoms and are experiencing both depressive and psychotic features concurrently (4).

Like Sertraline, Citalopram, being an antidepressant, can also help people with paranoia associated with depression. A study stated that Citalopram helped calm down agitated patients who had dementia and were experiencing delusions and paranoia (5).

What factors can contribute to Celexa-induced paranoia?

Celexa-induced paranoia is a rare side effect, but when it occurs, several factors may contribute to it.

Individual sensitivity: Some individuals may be more sensitive to the effects of Citalopram or other medications, making them more susceptible to experiencing unusual side effects like paranoia.

Underlying conditions: People with a history of paranoid symptoms or certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, may be at a higher risk of experiencing paranoia when taking Citalopram (4).

Dosage: Higher doses could potentially increase the likelihood of side effects, including paranoia.

Medication interaction: Citalopram may interact with other medications a person is taking, potentially increasing the risk of side effects.

Drug interactions: Alcohol or recreational drugs may interact with Citalopram leading to unexpected side effects like paranoia.

It is crucial to discuss any concerns or unusual symptoms with a healthcare provider when taking Citalopram or any other medication.

What to do if Celexa causes paranoia?

Talk to your healthcare provider if you think Celexa is causing paranoid reactions. It is not likely for this antidepressant to cause such a side effect if you keep taking it properly, but it could affect some people.

If you are experiencing other symptoms of mania as well and constantly finding yourself paranoid, Celexa could be affecting your psychological health.

In such cases, your healthcare provider will make sure if Celexa is causing this side effect, or if some other factor is the main culprit.

How to manage paranoia while using Celexa?

Paranoia associated with the initial phase of Celexa treatment may subside as the body adjusts to the medication. however, if the symptoms do not disappear, it is essential to take the following steps to manage the situation:

Contact your healthcare provider to report the symptoms of paranoia. They can assess your condition and decide on the appropriate course of action.
Your healthcare provider may decide to adjust the dosage of Celexa or switch you to a different medication if paranoia is believed to be the side effect of Celexa.
In some cases, a thorough psychiatric evaluation may be necessary to assess the severity and potential underlying causes of paranoia. This evaluation can help guide treatment decisions.
Consider psychotherapy or counselling, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, which can be effective in addressing paranoia and related symptoms.
Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs, as these substances can exacerbate paranoia and interact negatively with medications.

Conclusion

While paranoia is not a common side effect of Celexa, it is a rare possibility. Some people may experience paranoia when using Celexa, especially if they have a history of paranoid symptoms. Remember that managing paranoia while using Celexa requires close collaboration with a healthcare professional. They can help you make informed decisions about your treatment plan and provide the necessary support to address your specific needs.