In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “How to know when to increase celexa?”. Celexa is an antidepressant which is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions.

This antidepressant is started from the lowest effective dose which is later increased to achieve better therapeutic outcomes. We will discuss what is the best time to increase your dose and how to take your antidepressant properly.

How to know when to increase celexa?

However, it is not recommended to increase your dose without your doctor’s approval. Experts believe that people start exhibiting new side effects when their dose is escalated for the first time.

However, these side effects begin to fade away once your body is adjusted to the new increased dose.

What is the clinical significance of celexa?

Celexa is used for the treatment of following mental health conditions:

Depression

Celexa is used in the treatment of mild to major depression disorder (MDD). It is a state of mind which is concerned with disturbing thoughts, especially about one’s self.

It is associated with symptoms like hopelessness, tearfulness and emptiness. Depression is caused by the deficiency of excitatory neurotransmitters.

Celexa increases the amount of active serotonin to help relieve the symptoms of depression. Serotonin is an excitatory neurotransmitter responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes.

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

Celexa is also used to treat generalised anxiety disorder. As the name implies, this mental health condition is associated with general worry or anxiety about pretty much everything without having any logical reason.

People suffering from GAD worry about small matters related to family, friends, relationships, study, work, health, wealth etc.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

Celexa is used to treat symptoms of OCD. It is a condition characterised by troublesome thoughts that won’t go away, no matter what you do, and a weird urge to do things over and over again.

Panic attacks

Overtime, celexa has proven to be a suitable treatment option for treating panic attacks. They are sudden, uncontrollable attacks of fear and worry. A patient might unwillingly exaggerate a certain condition and gets frightened, often to the point where he gets attacked by seizures.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD)

Celexa is also used to treat social anxiety disorder. It is a condition in which the patient fears facing crowds or social gatherings, and doesn’t really know how to react among people.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Celexa can also be used to treat the symptoms associated with PTSD. It is concerned with extreme psychological symptoms that develop after a disturbing incident, such as death of a loved one or a horrific accident.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Celexa is also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including symptoms like mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness.

What are the recommended doses of celexa?

Celexa is recommended in the following doses:

Depression

For adults: The treatment is usually started from 20 mg/day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day.

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day.

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day.

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day.

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Panic attacks

For adults: The treatment is usually started from 10 mg/day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day.

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day.

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day.

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

What are the 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
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 ejaculate, while females may suffer from inability to have an orgasm.

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.

How to ensure the proper use of celexa?

In order to achieve the maximum therapeutic response from a drug, it is extremely important to use it right. Make sure celexa is the right choice of antidepressant for you. Stick to your doctor’s recommended dose. Do not take more or less than that.

Ask your doctor before taking celexa if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive or if you’re a breastfeeding mother. This drug can pass into the breastmilk, which is why it is important to ensure its safety in a breastfed baby.

If you fail to understand how to use the drug properly or have any other question, ask your doctor or pharmacist. In case of overdose, immediately reach out to the hospital. Make sure you properly guide them about how much drug you have taken and when.

If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if a lot of time has passed and your next dose is near, do not take it. It’s better to skip the missed dose and take the next one.

Report any problems with bleeding or bruising to your doctor. If you see any unexplained blisters or rashes on your body, or experience any problems with urination, or if you feel changes in your vision, immediately report to your healthcare provider.

Keep the bottle away from children and pets. In case of overdose, immediately take them to the hospital.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have discussed how to know when it’s time to increase your celexa dose. Celexa is an antidepressant which is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. This antidepressant is started from the lowest effective dose which is later increased to achieve better therapeutic outcomes.

However, it is not recommended to increase your dose without your doctor’s approval. Just make sure your doctor properly knows your medical history and that celexa is the right choice of antidepressant and it has a safe benefit-risk ratio.

FAQs: how to know when to increase celexa

When should I increase citalopram?

It’s time to increase the dose of your celexa when your body is completely adjusted to the initial dose of the drug and you seem to tolerate it well, but it is not sufficient to counteract the symptoms of your mental health condition effectively. However, it is not recommended to increase your dose without your doctor’s approval. Experts believe that people start exhibiting new side effects when their dose is escalated for the first time.

How long does it take for an increase in Celexa to work?

It usually takes 2-3 weeks to start noticing your increased celexa dose. Experts believe that people start exhibiting new side effects when their dose is escalated for the first time. However, these side effects begin to fade away once your body is adjusted to the new increased dose.

How much Celexa should I take for anxiety?

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day.

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

What is the difference between 10mg and 20mg citalopram?

The only difference between 10mg and 20mg citalopram is the amount of active ingredient. They both are used to treat the same mental health conditions.

How does celexa make you feel the first week?

Week 1 with celexa does not hold a clinical significance as you feel no beneficial effects during this week. However, celexa might cause some side effects, which are most commonly reported by the people during the first week. If we take a closer look at side effects, it may take 3 to 4 days for them to appear.

References

James M. Ferguson, M.D. – SSRI Antidepressant Medications: Adverse Effects and Tolerability https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181155/
Celexa – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8603/celexa-oral/details
Citalopram (Oral Route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/citalopram-oral-route/description/drg-20062980

How to know when to increase Celexa?