How Celexa Works ?

Celexa is a medication that falls into a category known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This kind of medication helps to maintain a balance of chemicals in the brain through which a person’s moods can be controlled.

Doctor’s commonly prescribe Celexa to treat depression. It is believed to be a safe treatment though it handles chemical balances in the brain. This is not to say that there are no side effects of using Celexa because there are quite a few of them. They are listed below.

In order to take Celexa, you need to follow instructions carefully. You are normally advised to take it once a day. You may do so with or without food. You should not stop taking Celexa as soon as you start feeling better. You need to have your doctor guide you as you go on taking this medication, and it is common when doctors advise you to take Celexa for several weeks.

Side Effects:

Some of the side effects that occur with taking Celexa include:

drowsiness,
diarrhea,
trouble sleeping,
upset stomach,
nausea,
dry mouth.

If these symptoms last for a prolonged period, you need to inform your doctor.
You need medical attention urgently if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Severe mood swings,
vomiting,
constant feeling of being tired,
appetite loss,
fever,
poor vision,
muscular pain,
rapid heartbeat,
low sex drive,
weight changes,
changes in menstrual period,
seizures,

Precautions:

You need to tell your doctor about your medical history before you start taking Celexa. Particularly tell your doctor about your health if you have suffered with:

kidney problems,
mental/mood disorders such as bipolar disorder,
heart trouble,
liver problems,
seizures,
thyroid disorders,
allergies.

When you take Celexa, you might feel dizzy. This is a common side effect. However, you need to be careful with the tasks you perform everyday. You should avoid driving, as your coordination is lower when you get dizzy. Consuming alcohol increases your chances of feeling dizzy. So you should avoid alcohol when you take Celexa

You should not use Celexa if you are using medications that contain MAO inhibitors. These would include:

furazolidone,
phenelzine,
isocarboxazid,
linezolid,
moclobemide,
procarbazine,
selegiline,
tranylcypromine

You need to tell your doctor if you have been having these medications in the past 15 days.

In addition to these medications, there are several others that you should be aware of. Just to be on the safe side you should inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking or have been taking in the recent past.

Regarding your dosage, you are advised not to miss out on doses. If you happen to do so, you should skip the missed dose and move on to the next scheduled dose.