Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs
Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Celexa or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Celexa is not approved for use in pediatric patients. (See WARNINGS: Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk, PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients, and PRECAUTIONS: Pediatric Use.)
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CELEXA SUMMARY
Celexa® (citalopram HBr) is an orally administered selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with a chemical structure unrelated to that of other SSRIs or of tricyclic, tetracyclic, or other available antidepressant agents.
Celexa (citalopram HBr) is indicated for the treatment of depression.
The efficacy of Celexa in the treatment of depression was established in 4-6 week, controlled trials of outpatients whose diagnosis corresponded most closely to the DSM-III and DSM-III-R category of major depressive disorder (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).
A major depressive episode (DSM-IV) implies a prominent and relatively persistent (nearly every day for at least 2 weeks) depressed or dysphoric mood that usually interferes with daily functioning, and includes at least five of the following nine symptoms: depressed mood, loss of interest in usual activities, significant change in weight and/or appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, increased fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, slowed thinking or impaired concentration, a suicide attempt or suicidal ideation.
The antidepressant action of Celexa in hospitalized depressed patients has not been adequately studied.
The efficacy of Celexa in maintaining an antidepressant response for up to 24 weeks following 6 to 8 weeks of acute treatment was demonstrated in two placebo-controlled trials (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY). Nevertheless, the physician who elects to use Celexa for extended periods should periodically re-evaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTSMedia Articles Related to Celexa (Citalopram)
Antidepressants Celexa, Lexapro Tied to Irregular Heartbeat: Study
Source: MedicineNet amitriptyline Specialty [2013.01.30]
Title: Antidepressants Celexa, Lexapro Tied to Irregular Heartbeat: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 1/29/2013 8:36:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 1/30/2013 12:00:00 AM
Warning By FDA Against High Dose Antidepressant Prescription May Be Unwarranted
Source: Depression News From Medical News Today [2013.05.07]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's warning that high doses of the antidepressant citalopram can cause potentially serious abnormal heart rhythms might be doing more harm than good. In 2011, the FDA attached a warning to the drug, also known as Celexa, based on data linking higher doses of the drug to potentially fatal abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart...
Recall of Generic Citalopram, Finasteride
Source: MedicineNet finasteride Specialty [2011.03.29]
Title: Recall of Generic Citalopram, Finasteride
Category: Health News
Created: 3/29/2011 11:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 3/29/2011 12:00:00 AM
Published Studies Related to Celexa (Citalopram)
Escitalopram for treatment of night eating syndrome: a 12-week, randomized,
placebo-controlled trial. [2012]
The primary objective of this study was to examine the short-term effects of
escitalopram on symptoms of night eating syndrome (NES) in a randomized
controlled clinical trial. A total of 40 patients with NES were randomly assigned
to double-blind treatment with escitalopram 20 mg (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20)
for 12 weeks...
Effect of escitalopram on hot flash interference: a randomized, controlled trial. [2012]
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of escitalopram (10-20 mg/d) versus placebo for
reducing hot flash interference in daily life and understand correlates and
predictors of reductions in hot flash interference, a key measure of quality of
life... CONCLUSION(S): Escitalopram (10-20 mg/d) for 8 weeks improves women's quality of
life and this benefit did not vary by demographic, clinical, mood, sleep, or hot
flash variables.
Citalopram for agitation in Alzheimer's disease: design and methods. [2012]
designed to evaluate the potential of citalopram to ameliorate these symptoms... CONCLUSION: The authors believe the design elements in CitAD are important
No evidence for an anti-inflammatory effect of escitalopram intervention in
healthy individuals with a family history of depression. [2012]
Inflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of depression and antidepressants
are hypothesised to have an anti-inflammatory effect. In this randomised
double-blinded trial we investigated the cytokine levels in supernatants of
stimulated whole blood samples from first degree relatives to patients with
depression randomised to a single daily dose of either 10mg escitalopram or
placebo for four weeks.
Effects of reboxetine and citalopram on appraisal of infant facial expressions
and attentional biases. [2012]
Difficulties in mother-child interaction are commonly observed in the context of
postnatal depression. These difficulties may result in part from the negative
cognitive bias present in depression, which may in turn lead to biased negative
perceptions of the infant: in particular, these biases encompass the negative
appraisal of facial expressions...
Clinical Trials Related to Celexa (Citalopram)
Escitalopram (Lexapro®) In Patients With Major Depression With Atypical Features [Completed]
Aims of Study:
The aims of this study are 1) to examine the clinical utility of escitalopram in patients
with major depression with atypical features; 2) to evaluate the tolerability of escitalopram
in major depression with atypical features.
Study hypothesis and objectives. This study is proposed as an open-label study to gather
pilot data to examine whether escitalopram has clinical utility in the treatment of major
depression with atypical features. Because of the exploratory nature of the design, no
specific study hypotheses can be generated regarding efficacy of the drug. Our primary
hypothesis is that the effect size of escitalopram in atypical depression will be similar to
the effect size of escitalopram in major depression, its FDA approved indication.
Brain Effects of Escitalopram and Citalopram Using fMRI [Recruiting]
Escitalopram (Lexapro) and citalopram (Celexa) are similar selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors that alter blood flow to the amygdala and other brain structures involved in
regulating mood. Escitalopram consists of S-citalopram while citalopram contains both
S-citalopram and R-citalopram (racemic citalopram). There is evidence that R-citalopram may
block the effects of S-citalopram. The hypothesis being tested is that because of the
antagonist effect of R-citalopram, S-citalopram will have a greater effect on the mood
circuit than racemic citalopram when equal doses of S-citalopram are administered.
EScitalopram PIndolol ONset of Action [Recruiting]
The main purpose of this study is to determine whether the antidepressant response of
escitalopram 30mg/day or escitalopram 20mg/day + pindolol, a beta blocker, is different
(faster) compared to a standard dose of escitalopram 20mg/day.
Lexapro�'s Efficacy After Dose Escalation in Remission Study [Recruiting]
The purpose of this study is the evaluation of remission rate between escitalopram 20 mg and
30 mg in patients with major depressive disorder.
Serotonin Transporter Inhibitor Escitalopram in Pulmonary Hypertension [Recruiting]
This is a Phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to
evaluate the efficacy of escitalopram (30 mg/day) in two parallel groups (randomization
ratio, escitalopram 2/placebo 1).
Reports of Suspected Celexa (Citalopram) Side Effects
Anxiety (37),
Somnolence (24),
Drug Hypersensitivity (24),
Drug Ineffective (22),
Depression (21),
Weight Increased (20),
Suicide Attempt (19),
Dizziness (18),
Weight Decreased (17),
Fatigue (17), more >>
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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTSBased on a total of 23 ratings/reviews, Celexa has an overall score of 6.96. The effectiveness score is 8.09 and the side effect score is 6.87. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. Below are selected reviews: the highest, the median and the lowest rated.
| | Celexa review by 27 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | |  |
| Effectiveness: | | Highly Effective |
| Side effects: | | Mild Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | Panic disorder |
| Dosage & duration: | | 20 mg/day taken daily for the period of 2 years |
| Other conditions: | | none |
| Other drugs taken: | | birth control | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | I had debilitating panic attacks and agoraphobia and Celexa completely saved me, allowed me to go live my life again. I even took a low dose and it still worked amazingly well, though it did take nearly a month to "kick in." |
| Side effects: | | In the beginning I had nightmares and some nausea, but that all passed within a few weeks. When I stopped taking the medication, I did suffer some side effects. |
| Comments: | | I took 20/mg a day each day for some number of years. |
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| | Celexa review by 24 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | |  |
| Effectiveness: | | Highly Effective |
| Side effects: | | Moderate Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | Depression/Panic Disorder |
| Dosage & duration: | | 20 mg taken daily for the period of 4 days |
| Other conditions: | | n/a |
| Other drugs taken: | | n/a | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | I'm only four days in, but I already feel more like myself than I have in a year and a half. The effects were almost immediate. I've taken more responsibility, had more energy, and been more outgoing already. |
| Side effects: | | Nausea, Restless Leg Syndrome, dry mouth, teeth clenching, bouts of fatigue, mania (temporary...first night only), insomnia, acne, inability to edit myself in some social situations |
| Comments: | | With continue chemical therapy using Celexa, I look forward to massive improvement in my overall mood and personality. |
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| | Celexa review by 38 year old male patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | | |
| Effectiveness: | | Ineffective |
| Side effects: | | Mild Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | depression |
| Dosage & duration: | | 40mg. daily taken once daily for the period of 6 months |
| Other conditions: | | anxiety |
| Other drugs taken: | | none | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | I took Celexa for approximately 6 months and I found it to be totally ineffective. This was not surprising considering I have taken several other psychotropic (SSRI's) drugs, with the same ineffectiveness. I'm finally thinking mabye I don't have a serotonin deficiency, and mabye there are other issues. Going back to dr. to see if there may be another course of action. |
| Side effects: | | sexual side effects, yawning, dry mouth |
| Comments: | | 40mg. daily for 6 months. |
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Page last updated: 2013-05-07
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