From the Guidelines
Celexa (citalopram) is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder in adults, and it may also be prescribed off-label for anxiety disorders, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which helps improve mood, sleep, appetite, and energy levels. The typical starting dose is 20 mg once daily, which may be increased to a maximum of 40 mg daily if needed, as recommended by the American College of Physicians 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Patients should take Celexa exactly as prescribed, usually once daily in the morning or evening, with or without food.
- It typically takes 1-4 weeks to notice improvement in symptoms, and treatment often continues for at least 6-12 months after symptoms improve to prevent relapse, as suggested by studies on the treatment of depressive disorders 1.
- Common side effects include nausea, dry mouth, increased sweating, drowsiness, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction.
- Patients should not stop taking Celexa abruptly as this may cause withdrawal symptoms; dosage should be gradually reduced under medical supervision, as advised by clinical guidelines 1.
- The medication has a recommended therapeutic range of 30-130 ng/mL, and monitoring of plasma concentrations may be useful in some cases, according to the AGNP-TDM expert group consensus guidelines 1.
Special Considerations
- Celexa may interact with other medications, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, as reported in studies on drug interactions 1.
- The medication may also cause QT prolongation, particularly at doses exceeding 40 mg daily, and should be used with caution in patients with long QT syndrome, as warned by the FDA and reported in clinical studies 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Citalopram tablets, USP (citalopram Hbr) is indicated for the treatment of depression. Citalopram tablets is a prescription medicine used to treat depression. Citalopram tablets is also used to treat: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Celexa (citalopram) is used for:
From the Research
Uses of Celexa (Citalopram)
Celexa, also known as citalopram, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat various mental health conditions. Some of the uses of Celexa include:
- Treatment of major depression, as approved by the Food and Drug Administration 3
- Treatment of panic disorder, as found effective in several studies 3, 4
- Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), with studies showing its efficacy and tolerability 5, 6
- Treatment of social phobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, with escitalopram (the active enantiomer of citalopram) being approved for these conditions 7
- Treatment of depression and associated symptoms of anxiety, with escitalopram being compared to citalopram in terms of efficacy 4
Efficacy and Tolerability
Studies have shown that citalopram is effective in improving symptoms of depression and anxiety, with some patients responding to citalopram after failing previous treatment with other SSRIs 6. Escitalopram, the active enantiomer of citalopram, has also been found to be well-tolerated and effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including GAD, panic disorder, and social phobia 5, 7.
Comparison to Other SSRIs
Citalopram has been compared to other SSRIs, such as escitalopram, in terms of efficacy and tolerability. Studies have shown that escitalopram may have a faster onset and greater overall magnitude of effect than citalopram in improving symptoms of depression and anxiety 4. However, citalopram has also been found to be effective in the treatment of GAD and other anxiety disorders, and may be considered a viable option for patients who have not responded to other SSRIs 6.