Celexa (Citalopram) for Anxiety and Depression - Information
Overview:
Celexa (Citalopram) is an antidepressant medication of the SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) class. It increases the level of serotonin in the synaptic cleft (the small gap between neurons where chemical signaling takes place) by blocking the serotonin reuptake transporter. Increasing the levels of free-floating serotonin in the synaptic cleft is what is theorized to elevate mood and increase energy levels.
History:
Citalopram was first synthesized in 1972 by chemist Klaus Bøgesø and his research group at the pharmaceutical company Lundbeck and was first marketed in 1989 in Denmark. It was first marketed in the US in 1998. The original patent expired in 2003, allowing other companies to legally produce and market generic versions.
Uses:
Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Social Phobia.
Mechanism of Action:
Blockade (antagonism) of the serotonin reuptake transporter.
Effectiveness:
“Data published over the last decade suggest that citalopram is (1) superior to placebo in the treatment of depression, (2) has efficacy similar to that of the tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants and to other SSRIs, and (3) is safe and well tolerated in the therapeutic dose range of 20 to 60 mg/day. Distinct from some other agents in its class, citalopram exhibits linear pharmacokinetics and minimal drug interaction potential. These features make citalopram an attractive agent for the treatment of depression, especially among the elderly and patients with comorbid illness.”
Keller MB. Citalopram therapy for depression: a review of 10 years of European experience and data from U.S. clinical trials. J Clin Psychiatry. 2000 Dec;61(12):896-908. PMID: 11206593.
Side Effects:
Nausea, dry mouth, loss of appetite, tiredness, drowsiness, sweating, blurred vision, and yawning may occur. Serious side effects include: fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, seizures, eye pain/swelling/redness, widened pupils, vision changes.
Like all SSRI medications it can cause decreased libido, difficulty having an erection or reaching orgasm.
