1. Home
  2. Health
  3. AIDS / HIV

Celexa (citalopram)

By , About.com Guide

Updated: November 30, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Drug Class:
An antidepressant in the class called SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). SSRI's work by increasing the activity of the chemical serotonin in the brain.
Forms:
  • 20mg tablets
  • 40mg tablets
  • 10mg/5ml oral solution
Dosage:
  • The starting dose is usually 20mg and not to exceed 60mg per day.
Precautions:
  • Do not take citalopram with or within 14 days of taking an MAO inhibitor (furazolidone, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine).

  • Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while you are taking citalopram.

  • This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, to have trouble thinking, or to have problems with movement.
Side Effects:
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More Common

  • Decrease in sexual desire or ability

Less common

  • Agitation
  • blurred vision
  • confusion
  • fever
  • increase in frequency of urination or amount of urine produced
  • lack of emotion
  • loss of memory
  • menstrual changes
  • skin rash or itching
  • difficulty breathing
More Information:
For more information on Celexa try About.com's Drug Finder.

HIV Medication Fact Sheets.

Explore AIDS / HIV
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this season. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. AIDS / HIV

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.