Information about the antidepressant Celexa

Various Trade Names of Citalopram Other Than Celexa

 
Before we get into a detailed discussion of the various side effects of Celexa, it might be good to know the various trade names by which the medicine goes by in different parts of the world. So while the names may be different, the composition is the same and so are the side effects.

 
Celexa is the trade name used in the United Sates of America and in Canada by the pharmaceutical company Forest Laboratories Inc. The other common trade name is Cipramil that is used in countries like the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Finland, Brazil and Australia. In Poland it is known as Citaxin, it is known as Citalec in Slovakia, Citol in Turkey, Celius in Greece, Cipram in Denmark, Cilift in Soth Africa, Zentius in much of South America.

 
Quite a Safe Drug

 
Celexa is actually quite a safe drug when the dosage is limited to what has been prescribed by the doctor. The range of therapeutic dosage varies from 10 mg to 60 mg per day, depending on the requirement of the patient. However, the dosage must be fixed by a medical practitioner and should not be increased or decreased without consultation. In fact, the dosage should always be monitored by your healthcare specialist. One of the good things about Celexa is that has minimum drug interaction potential making it a safe drug to be taken in conjunction with other medicines. It also displays linear pharmacokinetics, which is another positive. Both these make the drug the best possible alternative in its class to treat comorbid and elderly patients.

 
There Are Side Effects

 
But as we have already mentioned earlier, Celexa has a range of side effects and we should be aware of those. Laboratory tests have established beyond doubt that such side effects are not extremely rare, but are visible in one of every 10 patients who are under the medication. The side effects of Celexa are blood pressure changes, cardiac arrhythmia, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, hallucinations, headache, increased anorgasmia in females, impotence and ejaculatory problems in males, increased sweating also known as hyperhidrosis, insomnia, nausea and/or vomiting, disturbances in sleep and trembling.

 
There are a few rare side effects of Celexa too. These include anxiety, allergic reactions, confusion, convulsion and mood swings. Such side effects have been visible in about one of every hundred patient who were clinically tested. Some have also complained that the drug has sedative side effects.

 
Withdrawal Symptoms

 
Reports are there that patients who were taken off the treatment, showed withdrawal symptoms. This has been more evident in patients whose medication was stopped abruptly. Such sudden cessation might result in withdrawal symptoms, as it happens with many other drugs. The ideal way to deal with this is to slowly discontinue the drug by reducing the daily dosage. This should be done only according tot the advice of a medical expert who will be aware of the implications.