Can you take caffeine while being on Celexa?

In this blog post, we are going to talk about the safety of taking caffeine while being on celexa. Celexa is an antidepressant which may interact with a lot of biologically active compounds. 

This blog will cover how much caffeine is safe to take with celexa. We will also discuss the possible interactions between these two agents. 

Can you take caffeine while being on celexa? 

Yes, you can take caffeine while being on celexa but not too much. The interaction between celexa and caffeine only exists at higher doses and is associated with the symptoms similar to those of serotonin syndrome, including chills, fever, confusion, muscle twitching, agitation etc. 

Some studies suggest that antidepressants can inhibit the metabolism of caffeine. When the metabolism is affected, the chemical stays longer in your body as it normally should, hence it produces prolonged effects. 

A 2017 study found that low dose caffeine can enhance the efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of major depression. A cup of coffee in the morning will not harm you as much as larger quantities will. 

What is celexa, how does it work and what are the side effects associated with it? 

Celexa, brand name for Citalopram, is an antidepressant which belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Celexa actively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft back to the presynaptic neuron by blocking serotonin transporters (SERT). 

This results in an increased amount of serotonin in the body, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes. This antidepressant is associated with a multiple side effects, which 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.

What is caffeine, how does it work and what are the side effects associated with it? 

Caffeine is characterised as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It is stimulatory in nature and once inside your body, it binds to its respective receptors in your brain and causes alertness. 

Caffeine is also a part of some medications, like Panadol extra (paracetamol + caffeine), a product of GlaxoSmithKline. Such meds can be used to treat pain, tiredness, drowsiness and fatigue. It is also believed that drinking coffee can lower your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. 

Caffeine has a mild taste and it holds no nutritional value. It just provides you with energy, that’s all. The most widely used source of caffeine is coffee. For some, coffee is the first thing to go for in the morning, as stated earlier, it creates alertness. 

Caffeine is also recommended by fitness experts. Studies suggest that caffeine boosts metabolism, which helps burn calories. It is recommended to drink coffee before a workout session to enhance the calorie burning process.  

It is also suggested to drink after high fatty food consumption as it decreases the storage of fats in your body.

Some common side effects of caffeine include:

• Anxiety 
• Sleep disturbance or insomnia. It also decreases sleep quality
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Tachycardia 
• Dehydration, as it causes diuresis 
• Muscle pain
• Addiction
• Fatigue
• Tolerance
• Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea etc.

Studies have shown that celexa can interfere with caffeine metabolism, hence it is not broken down into its inactive metabolites. A chemical needs to be broken down before being eliminated from the body. 

This way more caffeine is available, for a prolonged period of time. It results in caffeine intoxication, which means enhanced and prolonged effects of caffeine. The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) recommends no more than 400 milligrams (about four or five cups of coffee) per day. 

How can you use celexa and caffeine without any interaction?

You can use celexa and caffeine safely if you stick to optimum amounts. There’s no harm in drinking a cup of coffee in the morning while you’re being treated with celexa. 

Literally no one, not even your doctor would make you stop drinking coffee, but you must remember how much to take. Too much coffee can cause a lot of complications that we have already discussed. 

Caffeine intoxication is common in coffee addicts and this coupled with celexa can make your depression or anxiety much worse. Make sure you always discuss such matters with your healthcare provider and ask how much coffee is too much for you to take with your antidepressant. 

Don’t rely on other people’s journey. Every human body reacts differently when it is exposed to medications. If your friend seems to work well with coffee and antidepressant, it doesn’t mean the same thing will happen to you. 

If you see someone else taking antidepressant intermittently, it does not mean you can take it like that too. The effects of antidepressants are unique to everyone. You might not suffer from the side effects your friend or someone else around you have experienced, and vice versa. 

This is exactly why you should suggest medications to someone else and should never take any medication which is recommended by a person who’s not an authorised mental healthcare professional. 

What other foods and drinks can interact with your celexa? 

• Tyramine: It is an amino acid. The combination of celexa with tyramine rich foods, like cheese, milk, chicken liver, beef, avocados, bananas, canned figs, soy beans etc, can cause sudden and dangerous increases in your blood pressure.
• Do not use cannabis while you’re on celexa. It will cause symptoms like confusion, panic attacks, seizures, anxiety, nervousness etc. 
• The use of alcohol and celexa or any other antidepressant together is strictly prohibited because of the nerve-racking interactions. This combination can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a troublesome condition. 

Alcohol has the most risks when it is used with your antidepressant. The concomitant use can also cause sensory and motor coordination impairment, which creates a number of sensory and motor disturbances, including impaired senses, impaired ability to identify threats, abnormal jerks, tremors, and inability to maintain balance. 

Both alcohol and celexa also have tiredness, fatigue, dizziness and drowsiness as common symptoms. 

When these two are taken excessively together, they cause extreme sedation, which could result in blackouts or unconsciousness. It can also lead to suicidal behavior and intoxication. 

Conclusion 

In this blog, we have discussed the safety and possible interactions between celexa and caffeine. The interaction only exists at higher doses and is associated with the symptoms similar to those of serotonin syndrome, including chills, fever, confusion, muscle twitching, agitation etc. 

Some studies suggest that antidepressants can inhibit the metabolism of caffeine. When the metabolism is affected, the chemical stays longer in your body as it normally should, hence it produces prolonged effects and could also result in intoxication. 

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and celexa is an antidepressant. They both can increase the amount of excitatory neurotransmitters and can cause multiple complications. Always report to your healthcare provider as soon as you can if you suffer from unusual side effects. 

FAQs: Celexa and caffeine

Can I drink coffee when taking Celexa?

Yes, you can take caffeine while being on celexa but not too much. The interaction between celexa and caffeine only exists at higher doses and is associated with the symptoms similar to those of serotonin syndrome, including chills, fever, confusion, muscle twitching, agitation etc. 

Some studies suggest that antidepressants can inhibit the metabolism of caffeine. When the metabolism is affected, the chemical stays longer in your body as it normally should, hence it produces prolonged effects. 

Is it OK to drink coffee while on antidepressants?

Yes, it is okay to drink coffee while being on antidepressants but remember, too much caffeine can cause unpleasant side effects. The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) recommends no more than 400 milligrams (about four or five cups of coffee) per day. However, these quantities are much well suited for people who are not on antidepressants. 

What should you not take 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 

Does caffeine make antidepressants worse?

A 2017 study found that low dose caffeine can enhance the efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of major depression. A cup of coffee in the morning will not harm you as much as larger quantities will. 

Can caffeine cause serotonin syndrome?

The concomitant use of too much caffeine and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) can dangerously increase the amount of serotonin in your body and may result in serotonin syndrome. 

It is associated with a number of disturbing symptoms including excessive sweating, chills, fever, restlessness and fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, bradycardia, tremors, muscle twitching, abnormal behaviour etc. 

Does caffeine affect SSRI?

SSRIs can inhibit the metabolism of caffeine. When the metabolism is affected, the chemical stays longer in your body as it normally should, hence it produces prolonged effects. 

Studies have also revealed that low dose caffeine can enhance the efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of major depression. Both SSRIs and caffeine share some side effects like insomnia, digestive issues, irritability, nausea etc, so the use of high amounts of caffeine can cause synergistic effects

References 

• Aleksandra Szopa, Ewa Poleszak,corresponding author Elżbieta Wyska, Anna Serefko, Sylwia Wośko, Aleksandra Wlaź, Mateusz Pieróg, Andrzej Wróbel, and Piotr Wlaź – Caffeine enhances the antidepressant-like activity of common antidepressant drugs in the forced swim test in mice https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4715838/
• Citalopram (Oral Route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/citalopram-oral-route/precautions/drg-20062980?p=1 
• Citalopram and its Interactions with Food, Herbs, Alcohol and Caffeine https://www.medindia.net/amp/drugs/drug-food-interactions/citalopram.htm
• James M. Ferguson, M.D.- SSRI Antidepressant Medications: Adverse Effects and Tolerability https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181155/
• Pamela J Broderick 1, Ashley B Benjamin, Leland W Dennis – Caffeine and psychiatric medication interactions: a review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16206866/
• Caffeine – https://www.drugs.com/caffeine.html
• Marta Kot, Jacek Wójcikowski, Władysława A Daniel (2007) – Caffeine metabolism during prolonged treatment of rats with antidepressant drugs https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18195463/