Can lyrica and celexa be taken together?

This blog post will answer the question, “Can lyrica and celexa be taken together?”. Celexa is an antidepressant which is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. 

This antidepressant may not work very well with other medications. This blog will cover the safety and efficacy of the concomitant use of lyrica and celexa. 

Can lyrica and celexa be taken together? 

Yes, lyrica and celexa can be taken together if prescribed by your healthcare provider. The concomitant use can help relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as chronic pain. This combination is also quite efficacious for epilepsy comorbid with depression or anxiety. 

However, lyrica and celexa may interact in some individuals and cause sodium deficiency, which leads to a condition called Hyponatremia. 

Although it does not hold much clinical importance, if the sodium deficiency becomes severe, it may require proper replenishing treatment. 

Lyrica and celexa are also used for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). A 2014 study concluded that lyrica can provide relief from the symptoms associated with GAD, including insomnia and gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. 

One study indicated the beneficial effects of lyrica in the treatment of fibromyalgia in patients taking antidepressants. It clearly indicates that taking these two medications together is safe and is, in fact, clinically significant in so many conditions. 

Researchers, right now as we speak, are trying to find the effects of lyrica in depressed patients. Certain epileptic patients show signs of depression and anxiety which was reduced by the use of lyrica. 

Some researchers suggest that the depression was induced by the condition of epilepsy, which is why the drug helped reduce those symptoms. 

Some researchers, on the contrary, believe that lyrica does possess a relationship with depression symptoms. This topic is under investigation and experts are trying to find any existing connection between the two. 

How do lyrica and celexa work? 

Lyrica, brand name for Pregabalin, is an Antiepileptic drug. It is used to tone down the frequency of epileptic seizures or convulsions. The exact mechanism through which it produces its effects is not fully known, but it can decrease the excessive neuronal firing which results in seizures. 

Experts believe that it can bind to alpha2 subunits of calcium channels and decrease the release of certain excitatory neurotransmitters. 

Celexa, on the other hand, is the brand name for Citalopram. It is an antidepressant which blocks serotonin transporters (SERT) and inhibits the reuptake of serotonin. 

This results in an increased amount of active serotonin to bind to its receptors. It is an excitatory neurotransmitter which is responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes. 

If we look closely, both of these drugs have opposite mechanisms of action. One is responsible for increasing the amounts of excitatory neurotransmitters in your brain, while the other one works in the opposite way and decreases the availability of such neurotransmitters. 

It is extremely important to make sure if the concomitant use is absolutely required and there’s no other way around, because it is not recommended to use medications in combination when you can benefit from a single agent. 

What are the side effects associated with Lyrica and Celexa? 

There’s no such medication that does not come with side effects. These two, being no exception, also possess some adverse effects. Common side effects of lyrica include: 

• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Weight gain 
• Dizziness 
• Somnolence
• Swollen hands and feet
• Headache
• Vision problems 
• Cloudy mind
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Joint pain 
• Difficulty in remembering things
• Abdominal pain 
• Muscle twitching 

Lyrica can cause some serious side effects. These include:

• Suicidal behavior 
• Impaired motor coordination 
• Thrombocytopenia or decreased levels of platelets
• Water retention
• Rhabdomyolysis, a condition associated with abnormal breakdown of muscles
• Hypersensitive allergic reaction which may cause difficulty in breathing, tightening of chest skin rash, redness, blisters, etc. 

Although SSRIs are considered the safest antidepressants, they are still associated with a number of side effects. Common side effects of celexa include:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea or Constipation 
• Acid reflux or heartburn 
• Abdominal pain 
• Loss of appetite 
• Weight gain or loss 
• Excessive sweating or night sweating (nocturnal/night hyperhidrosis) 
• Frequent urination 
• Polydipsia or excessive thirst
• Tremors 
• Muscle twitching and pain
• Drowsiness 
• Dizziness 
• Excessive tiredness or fatigue 
• Insomnia or inability to fall asleep 
• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Dysmenorrhea or heavy periods
• Flu like symptoms including irritation in eyes and runny nose
• Loss of libido in both male and females. Males may suffer from inability to release, while females may suffer from inability to have a climactic experience. 

Celexa (Citalopram) is also associated with some serious side effects, which may include:

• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Auditory or visual hallucinations 
• Nose bleeds
• Severe headache
• Arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeats
• Impaired memory and concentration 
• Convulsions 
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.

Now, as you can clearly see, there are several side effects that are similar, including weight gain, dizziness, sleepiness, muscle twitching, fatigue etc. We can also clearly see some of the serious side effects being similar, including suicidal behavior, confusion, vision problems etc.

This clearly indicates that the use of these two agents together can cause something known as synergistic side effects. The concomitant use can highly increase the incidence of suicidal attempts in younger population. 

Make sure these two meds are used together only when your doctor has advised it. Using two medications together which affect your brain is not something ideal and should not be encouraged unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. 

Make sure you discuss everything in detail with your healthcare provider and ask if you’re at the best possible doses if you’re using these two together. 

How to ensure the proper use of lyrica and celexa? 

Immediately talk to your healthcare provider if you experience unusual side effects while taking lyrica and celexa together. Do not recommend this combination to someone else and use it as long as your doctor has advised. 

Inform your doctor if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive. It is extremely important to ensure safety of your meds during your pregnancy. Some meds can cross placenta and are capable of causing unwanted side effects in the growing fetus. 

Inform your doctor if you’re a breastfeeding mother. Both of these drugs are capable of passing into the breastmilk and may cause side effects in newborns. 

Celexa may induce suicidal behavior in users younger than 24 years of age. If you have someone who shows suicidal behavior or you see hopelessness in them, make sure you keep an eye on them and get medical attention as soon as you can. 

Do not stop lyrica or celexa abruptly. If it’s time for you to stop one or both of these meds, your doctor will simply recommend a taper schedule for you, which should be followed vigilantly if you wish to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. 

Conclusion 

In this blog, we have discussed the possible interactions between lyrica and celexa. Hyponatremia was found to be the interaction between these two. It is a condition caused by sodium deficiency. However, this interaction is not common at lower doses. 

Both lyrica and celexa are used for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Lyrica is believed to provide relief from the symptoms associated with GAD, including insomnia and gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. 

Celexa, on the other hand, can also be used for GAD, but it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment and management of GAD. These two meds are associated with multiple side effects which affect people differently. 

FAQs: can lyrica and celexa be taken together 

What should you not mix with Celexa?

• Monoaminoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The combination use can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. 
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). The combination use can increase the risk of bleeding. 
• Pimozide. The concomitant use can increase the plasma concentration(availability of a drug in the blood) of pimozide to much higher levels. It can result in life-threatening arrhythmia.
• Controlled substances, including all narcotic 
• Analgesics. The concomitant use can cause severe psychological side effects. 
• Mood stabilisers 
• Alcohol 

Can you take gabapentin and Celexa at the same time?

Yes, you can take Gabapentin and celexa but only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. The concomitant use can help relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as chronic pain. This combination is also quite efficacious for epilepsy comorbid with depression or anxiety. 

Make sure you don’t use any other medication with your antidepressant without your doctor’s approval. The concomitant use of these two may increase the risk of hyponatremia, a condition associated with sodium deficiency. 

What medications should not be taken with pregabalin? 

Lyrica can interact with the following drugs:

• Narcotic analgesics: Both narcotic opioid analgesics and lyrica decrease the amount of excitatory neurotransmitters in your brain. This can slow down your physiological functions including breathing rate. 
• Alcohol can also act as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. The synergistic effects of alcohol and lyrica can cause severe depression and suicidal behavior.
• Certain diabetic agents may react with lyrica and cause increased water retention, which results in swelling or edema in upper and lower extremities, or any other part of the body.

What can I take with Celexa to help me sleep?

Your doctor may prescribe you a benzodiazepine or one of the three Z’s (Zolpidem, Zaleplon and Eszopiclone) if you suffer from insomnia as a side effect of Celexa. 

However, these agents can not be used for a prolonged period of time because of their addiction causing tendency. You can also try some herbs and natural foods that may help you sleep including chamomile, lavender, turmeric, ashwagandha etc. 

What are the most common side effects of Celexa?

Common side effects of celexa include:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea or Constipation 
• Acid reflux or heartburn 
• Abdominal pain 
• Loss of appetite 
• Weight gain or loss 
• Excessive sweating or night sweating (nocturnal/night hyperhidrosis) 
• Frequent urination 
• Polydipsia or excessive thirst
• Tremors 
• Muscle twitching and pain
• Drowsiness 
• Dizziness 

Is there a medication that treats both depression and anxiety?

Yes, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are well known for not only counteracting the symptoms associated with depression, but they also help relieve the symptoms of anxiety and several other mental health conditions including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). 

References 

• Drug Interactions between citalopram and Lyrica https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/citalopram-with-lyrica-679-0-1937-2171.html
• James E Frampton. CNS Drugs. (2014) – Pregabalin: a review of its use in adults with generalized anxiety disorder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25149863/
• Lesley M Arnold et al. J Rheumatol. (2015) – Efficacy and Safety of Pregabalin in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Comorbid Depression Taking Concurrent Antidepressant Medication: A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26034150/ 
• Pregabalin – oral route https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/pregabalin-oral-route/description/drg-20067411
• Celexa – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8603/celexa-oral/details