Does Celexa cause side effects? (7 precautions)
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 causes side effects. Furthermore, we will explore what the research suggests, common and rare side effects, how to manage them and precautions to take when using Celexa.
Does Celexa cause side effects?
Yes, Celexa, like other antidepressants, can cause side effects. Celexa is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and SSRIs are known to have various side effects.
It is worth noting that not everyone experiences the same side effects, and Celexa is generally considered safe and effective for treating depression in adults and elderly patients.
What are the common side effects of Celexa?
Common side effects of Celexa are usually mild and moderate, and they tend to subside after 8-12 weeks of treatment in most patients. These side effects may include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Acid reflux
- Dry mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Sweating
- Loss of appetite or weight changes
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Sexual side effects
- Muscular or joint pains
- Fatigue (4,5,6)
However, if you experience any of these side effects that persist even after 12 weeks or become bothersome, you should immediately inform your healthcare provider.
What are the serious side effects of Celexa?
Some side effects can be serious, although they are rare. If you suspect any of these side effects, immediately seek medical help. Serious side effects may include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Vertigo
- Chest pains
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Unusual swelling of a body part
- Abnormal bleeding
- Severe headaches
- Seizures
- Concentration or memory problems (4,5,6)
What does the research suggest?
According to a research study, the side effects associated with Celexa are generally mild to moderate in intensity and do not persist for longer periods in most patients. The incidence of these side effects was found to be less than 10%.
Compared to other SSRIs, Celexa is easy to tolerate and safe for depression treatment. In various clinical studies, thousands of patients were examined, and no serious problems like tremors were observed (1).
While sudden discontinuation of Celexa is not advisable, it may be associated with only moderate side effects which are rare. Celexa is prescribed in low doses, starting at 10mg and with a maximum recommended dose of 40mg once a day.
Lower doses of Celexa may be linked to a decreased incidence of side effects. Research findings also suggest that Celexa has a relatively low side effects profile compared to other SSRIs.
It is not associated with significant changes in vital signs, or irregular heart activity and does not increase the risk of suicide, or tremors, as some other SSRIs might. These findings indicate that Celexa is a safer antidepressant for elderly patients or those with mild to moderate kidney or liver problems (2).
Another clinical study suggested that Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, causes more serious side effects in elderly patients compared to Celexa (SSRI). Furthermore, Celexa had a better tolerability profile and fewer side effects compared to Amitriptyline (3).
What side effects are related to the sudden discontinuation of Celexa?
If Celexa is suddenly discontinued, it may lead to discontinuation syndrome in some patients, similar to other SSRIs. However, the intensity of side effects may be less severe.
Symptoms of discontinuation syndrome may appear after a week of discontinuation and only if the patient has been taking Celexa for more than a month. These symptoms may include:
- Disturbances in sleep patterns
- Excessive tiredness
- Seizures
- Excessive sweating
- Vertigo
- Nausea or diarrhoea
- Feeling cold
- Loss of appetite
- Severe headaches
- Imbalance
- Tingling sensations
- Body aches
- Irregular heart activity (4,5,6)
What precautions should be taken while using Celexa?
The following precautions must be considered while using Celexa:
- Celexa is not approved for use in children.
- There is an FDA warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts or self-harm in younger patients using Celexa, so close monitoring should be done.
- Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or supplements that may interact with Celexa.
- Celexa should not be used if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), Thioridazine, Dapoxetine, Linezolid, Methylene blue, or Pimozide.
- Do not use Celexa if you are sensitive to the medication.
- Patients at risk of electrolyte disturbances should have their electrolyte levels monitored throughout the treatment.
- Patients should be monitored during the initial phase of treatment or when the dosage is adjusted (4).
How to manage the side effects of Celexa?
If your side effects persist or worsen, your doctor may consider adjusting your dosage based on your current symptoms, medical history, and response to treatment.
However, Celexa is generally considered a safe and effective treatment for depression. If your symptoms persist or become bothersome, your doctor may suggest that Celexa might not be suitable for you.
Conclusion
Celexa is an antidepressant that, like other SSRIs, can cause side effects. However, it is important to note that not everyone experiences the same side effects, and Celexa is generally considered a safe and effective treatment for depression in both adults and elderly patients.
It is essential to be aware of the potential side effects, take precautions, and consult with your doctor if you experience bothersome side effects.
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References
1.-
Muldoon C. The safety and tolerability of citalopram. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1996 Mar;11 Suppl 1:35-40. doi: 10.1097/00004850-199603001-00007. Erratum in: Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1996 Jun;11(2):153. PMID: 8732443. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8732443/
2.-
Nemeroff CB. Overview of the safety of citalopram. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2003 Winter;37(1):96-121. PMID: 14561952. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14561952/
3.-
Kyle CJ, Petersen HE, Overø KF. Comparison of the tolerability and efficacy of citalopram and amitriptyline in elderly depressed patients treated in general practice. Depress Anxiety. 1998;8(4):147-53. PMID: 9871816. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9871816/
4.-
Sharbaf Shoar N, Fariba KA, Padhy RK. Citalopram. 2021 Dec 11. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29489221. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29489221/
5.-
FDA Label. Celexa (Citalopram). [Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/020822s047lbl.pdf
6.-
MedlinePlus[Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US);2023. Citalopram; [updated 2022 Jan 15; cited 2023 JUL 10]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a699001.html
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