Doctors’ Answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” – Celexa
These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as
recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is
always advised to consult their own physician.
[posted 09/27/2000]
Question: I have been diagnosed with depression and prescribed Celexa. I am unsure about the significant effects of withdrawal and what the markers are for “remission” of depression. Is there just a timetable that the doc will go by and if needed put me back on meds or are there markers that I will recognize also? The possibility of starting a med that will cause severe withdrawal symptoms concerns me greatly…
Answer: Only about 30% experience marked withdrawal symptoms, I’d try it and see how you feel. The duration will depend on your individual severity and the response to celexa.
[posted 09/14/2000]
Question: I was wondering the percentage of people that lose/gain weight on Celexa. If I were to gain it would make me more deppressed, but I don’t want to stop taking the drug as it has helped me tremendously in the last 3 weeks.
Answer: 20% gain, 20% lose the rest stay about the same, you’ll need 3-4 months before you know this effect.
[posted 03/8/2000]
Question: I am taking Celexa for depression, the drug works well for me
except I have no libido. Is there anything I can do to get
back some interest in sex? Also achieving orgasim is very difficult.
Thanks
Answer: Some recommend a small dosage of amphetamines the day you wish to have sex. I have not had a patient try this, but it is published.
[posted 01/15/2000]
Question: i am not quite sure why i am on the two medications that i am on — celexa 20 mg and 10 mg of buspar. I have expained to my doctor that I just have too full of a plate. (4 children – 2yrs, twins who are 3 yrs and a 10 yr old plus my own real estate business.) I wanted something to help with the yelling and the anxiety that I have. It’s mostly on a day to day basis — depending on how stressful my day is — if its a 10 stress day — then I am a yelling fool at the kids, my husband, and I take it out on them and I look like an idiot after I am not so stressed and feeling pulled from each end of my body. Do you think these two are helpful for daily stress and anxiety. I quit taking the celexa right after Christmas because it makes me feel like a robot — NO emotion, no sex drive, and a oh well kind of attitude. What do you think
Answer: Celexa is a newer antidepressant and often helpful in anxiety, depression. It can suppress your sex drive. Buspar is useful for anxiety, is a mild drug and takes a couple of weeks to work. You’ll have to judge by results to see if they help you versus the side effects.
Celexa [posted 1/13/99]
Question: Celexa is a new antidepressant to hit the market. Can you give me more
information on this new drug? I understand it is a new drug.
Answer: Just out, so I don’t have a lot of data. Supposed to have the
side effects of Serzone, but the effectiveness of Prozac, etc. Used about 10 years in
Europe.
Celexa [posted 1/6/99]
Question:I can find little or no information about Celexa. It has just been
prescribed for me and I’ve had no experience with anti-depressants and their side-effects.
Can you offer any information about what I can expect? I am an insulin-dependent diabetic
and take synthroid, vitamins, and St. Johns Wort daily.
Answer: Well, it’s pretty new for us also. Side effects
currently described are constipation, dry mouth, decreased sexual drive (less with this
one than others), and occasional sleep disturbance. This medication is supposed to have
less side effects than other SRI antidepressants (like Prozac), but be as effective. Time
will tell. The class is generally incredibly well tolerated in terms of other drug
reactions so I wouldn’t be concerned about the diabetes or the synthroid.
Celexa General Information
Question [posted 12/01/98]
Question: Hove you heard of a new anti depressant called
Celezxa or Celxza, put out by Forest Laboratories? It apparently has less negative side
affects than prozac?
Answer: Yes, just released Celexa usually started at 20
mg. Touted as less side effects (like Serzone);but, more effective than Serzone. I have
2-3 patients on it so far and it does seem more effective than Serzone. I don’t have
enough experience yet to give you information on the side effects other than company
published data.
Back to Medication/Pharmaceutical
main page.