Does Celexa cause restless legs? 

By Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Page last updated: 05/11/2023 | Next review date: 05/11/2025
close

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

 


Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
View More north_east

Does Celexa cause restless legs? 

Yes, Celexa may cause restless legs syndrome in some individuals – but rarely. This side effect on Celexa is not generally a concern and very few such cases are reported. 

However, this antidepressant can cause involuntary movement of the lower extremities – which is often known as a Parkinson’s-like side effect. The exact reason why Celexa leads to such a side effect is not fully known. 

However, experts do believe that some factors may make some people more sensitive to it. Make sure you reach out to your healthcare provider if you feel that your legs are involuntarily moving or they are generally restless. 

What does research suggest?

There is limited research on restless leg syndrome caused by Celexa. However, studies do show a link between this antidepressant and RLS. 

Research indicates that these side effects could be caused by the effects of Celexa and other SSRIs on dopamine, which is another excitatory chemical like serotonin, as the drug can easily cross the blood-brain barrier. (1)

Studies have also indicated that the incidence of this side effect is low and it may get better with the addition of Bupropion to the treatment regimen. However, the safety, efficacy, and appropriate doses are not fully determined. 

In a few reported cases, RLS did not get better as the treatment with Celexa continued, which is why doctors had to taper off Celexa. The symptoms associated with RLS started to get better within a few days after drug discontinuation. 

What to do if Celexa causes restless legs syndrome? 

If Celexa causes RLS, reach out to your healthcare provider. Your doctor will properly examine your condition and determine the most appropriate way to resolve your symptoms. 

Most doctors try dose reduction at first, as you can’t really stop using antidepressants abruptly. If you find relief on a lower dose, your doctor may ask you to take it for some time. 

If dose reduction doesn’t work, you will have to gradually stop using the antidepressant. Celexa can take some time to leave your system completely, but drug discontinuation can reverse RLS. For symptomatic relief, you can try some physiotherapy sessions to strengthen your lower extremities and increase blood flow. 

You can also try some exercises and stretch your legs to strengthen the connection between your brain and your legs. Some doctors may recommend OTC gels, like Voltaren gel for symptomatic relief. However, typical RLS can require a proper treatment regimen.

Make sure you don’t stop using Celexa abruptly and seek medical attention. Celexa, although it is a good antidepressant and can treat several mental health conditions, may not be suitable for everyone.

It is also important to note that taking Celexa with anything that can increase its effects, such as other medications, excessive caffeine, alcohol, etc can worsen the symptoms of RLS.

Additional side effects of Celexa

Celexa is also associated with the following side effects:

Celexa can cause different side effects in different individuals. So, keep a close eye on your side effects and discuss them with your doctor. It is also important to consult your doctor if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, as Celexa can cross the placenta. It can also affect prolactin levels or cause nipple discharge in rare cases.

Celexa, although it does not affect vital organs, can cause kidney or liver damage in rare cases. Such cases are not frequently reported.

Final words

Celexa may or may not cause restless leg syndrome. Antidepressants are associated with many side effects, but not everyone experiences all of them. If you feel unwell while taking this medication, please contact your healthcare provider.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

References

1.-

Perroud N, Lazignac C, Baleydier B, Cicotti A, Maris S, Damsa C. Restless legs syndrome induced by citalopram: a psychiatric emergency? Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2007 Jan-Feb;29(1):72-4. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2006.10.006. Erratum in: Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2007 Mar-Apr;29(2):177. Nader, Perroud [corrected to Perroud, Nader]; Coralie, Lazignac [corrected to Lazignac, Coralie]; Andrei, Cicotti [corrected to Cicotti, Andrei]; Susanne, Maris [corrected to Maris, Susanne]. PMID: 17189751. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17189751/

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 May 3]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Citalopram

Find a supportive therapist who can help with Depression.

Discover the convenience of BetterHelp, an online therapy platform connecting you with licensed and accredited therapists specialized in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Complete the assessment and find your ideal therapist within just 48 hours.

 

AskYourPharm is user-supported. We may earn a commission if you sign up for BetterHelp’s services after clicking through from this site

Learn More