Uses

Celexa (citalopram) is part of a class of antidepressant medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and is most commonly used to treat depression in adults, teenagers, and children. It is a prescription-only medication. This drug works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain in order to help maintain emotional balance. Celexa may also be prescribed by a doctor or a psychiatrist to help reduce the symptoms associated with anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive compulsion, alcohol dependency, premenstrual dysphoric issues, and disordered eating.

Dosage FAQs

• How should I take this medication?
  Celexa comes as an oral tablet and as an oral solution. It is usually taken once per day, with or without food. As the ideal dosage will vary from person to person, your doctor may slowly increase the amount of medication taken each day to find the best dosage for you. The maximum daily dosage of this medication, per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, was revised to 40 mg per day in 2011. Try to take this medication at the same time each day. You may have to wait for up to four weeks before you begin to experience the full therapeutic benefits of this medication.
• What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
  Take the dose you forgot as soon as you remember it. However you should not take the missed dose if it will soon be time for your next scheduled dose. Putting too much of this medication into your system over a short period of time may increase the risk of an overdose.
• What should I do if I overdose on this medication?
  Call a poison help line or contact your doctor immediately. Common overdose symptoms include sleepiness; nausea or vomiting; dark colored urine; dizziness; confusion; loss of memory; excessive sweating; seizures; rapid breathing; muscular aches; bluish tint on fingers, fingernails, or mouth; loss of consciousness; and erratic, fast, or pounding heartbeat.
• What are some ways to get the most out of my treatment with Celexa?
  Many conditions for which antidepressant medications are prescribed have also shown improvement with psychotherapy treatment. If you are prescribed this drug to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsion, or another condition, consider finding a qualified therapist or counselor to help you better understand what you are experiencing. Many therapists can offer helpful strategies such as yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation that may produce better, longer-lasting mental health outcomes than treatment with drugs alone.
• How should I store this medication?
  Store this drug at room temperature, in its original container, away from excess heat or moisture. Keep this medication out of the reach of children.