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Celexa (citalopram) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating adults with major depressive disorder (MDD).
These insights are based on 488 comments about Celexa from MyDepressionTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of individuals and are not meant to be medical advice.
Celexa is a type of medication called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. The exact way Celexa works to treat major depressive disorder is not fully known.
Doctors prescribe Celexa to adults with major depressive disorder.
Celexa is given as a tablet by mouth, typically once each day, with or without food.
The recommended starting dose of Celexa for depression is 20 milligrams once daily.
For people who respond to treatment, the recommended maintenance dose is up to 40 milligrams once daily. The maintenance dose may be lower in people with liver disease, older age, or taking medicines that interact with Celexa.
Doctors usually wait at least one week before increasing the dose, and they recommend gradually lowering the dose instead of stopping it suddenly.
This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
These insights are based on 488 comments about Celexa from MyDepressionTeam members.Members who use Celexa often say it helps to stay in close contact with a doctor, especially when side effects show up, the dose changes, or the medication seems less effective over time. Many members also mention giving Celexa time to work, paying attention to patterns in how they feel, and building routines and support around medication.
Be patient.
Improvement can take several weeks. “It took a while, six weeks, to work.”
Start low and talk to your doctor about side effects.
“The general advice is that if it is when you are just starting, try to start at a low dose and increase as tolerated, and to just hang on for the first few weeks as they may be rough.”
Keep track of how you feel and tell your doctor.
“Take notes every day! You will know if it’s not working within a few weeks.”
Do not stop Celexa suddenly.
“I decided to quit taking my Celexa. I quit three days ago. So now I’m dizzy every time I turn my head, I’m irritated about everything, and it’s the worst withdrawal symptoms.”
Add routines and support beyond medication.
“At the time, I went swimming three times a week, at 7 in the morning, and was seeing a counselor every week. I stuck to a routine eating toast and drinking calming tea in the morning. The medication helped too. Slowly, I got better!”
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In studies of adults taking Celexa, the most common side effects occurred in about 11 percent to 21 percent of people. They include:
Delayed ejaculation was also a side effect in 6 percent of males taking Celexa in clinical studies, according to the prescribing information.
Celexa can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Celexa is excluded from the manufacturer’s savings program.
Talk to your healthcare provider, pharmacist, or insurance plan about lower-cost options that may be available to you.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to citalopram or any ingredients in Celexa. Do not take Celexa if you have had a serious allergic reaction to citalopram or any ingredients in Celexa.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. Celexa and other medicines may affect each other, causing possible serious side effects.
Before taking Celexa, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
Do not take Celexa if you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, including linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, or have taken one within the last 14 days. Do not take Celexa if you take pimozide.
Do not start or stop any other medicines during treatment with Celexa without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping Celexa suddenly may cause you to have serious side effects.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Celexa, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Women who stop taking Celexa during pregnancy may be at risk for untreated depression and relapse.
Using Celexa in the month before delivery may increase the risk of dangerously heavy bleeding after giving birth, a condition called postpartum hemorrhage.
Using SSRIs like Celexa, particularly late in pregnancy, may raise the risk of a serious lung problem in newborns called persistent pulmonary hypertension. Babies exposed to SSRIs during pregnancy may also have symptoms such as trouble breathing, unstable body temperature, feeding problems, low muscle tone, shaking, and irritability.
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. Those who are pregnant and ages 45 or younger can register by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 866-961-2388 or visiting the registry website.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Celexa?
In studies lasting four to six weeks, Celexa helped improve symptoms of depression more than a placebo (an inactive treatment). In one six-week study, doses of 40 milligrams and 60 milligrams per day were effective based on a depression rating scale. However, the maximum recommended dose was set at 40 milligrams per day after considering a greater risk of abnormal heart rhythm and lack of additional benefit at higher doses.
In longer studies, people who felt better after six to eight weeks were less likely to have their depression return over the next six months if they kept taking Celexa instead of switching to a placebo.
How long does Celexa take to work for depression?
In studies, improvement in depression symptoms was measured over four to six weeks. In longer studies, people first showed improvement during the first six to eight weeks of treatment before continuing therapy.
Can Celexa cause dizziness, sleepiness, or trouble sleeping when used for depression?
Yes. Celexa can cause sleepiness, trouble sleeping, and dizziness. In clinical studies, sleepiness and insomnia were common side effects.
Some people stopped taking Celexa because of side effects like dizziness. Dizziness can also happen if Celexa is stopped too quickly, so the dose is usually lowered slowly instead of stopping all at once.
Can Celexa be used with other medicines for depression?
Celexa can be used with some other medicines, but some combinations can be unsafe. Do not take Celexa with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 14 days of stopping one. Do not take it with pimozide.
Taking Celexa with other medicines that affect serotonin can raise the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a serious condition caused by too much serotonin. These medicines include other antidepressants, certain pain medicines, lithium, buspirone, amphetamines, tryptophan, and St. John’s wort.
Some medicines may also increase the risk of bleeding or cause heart rhythm problems when taken with Celexa.
On MyDepressionTeam, people share their experiences with depression, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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