Does anybody have any experiences with the drug Celexa?

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

What are the side effects, if any, etc. Just curious. I have a friend who told me he was put on it not too long ago.

[TrogL]

1. Drowsiness

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

8. What about weight gain?

Did any of you or your relatives experience that as a side effect? My mother took Paxil a long time ago and she gained 13 pounds.

[blondeatlast]

9. Nope, no gain here.

[soleft]

2. My mother is on it

I think if I had to go back on antidepressants, I was on Paxil years ago, I'd try celexa because it's been a miracle drug for her. What makes it different from prozac, zoloft and paxil, I think, or maybe I'm thinking of Efexor, is that it works on norepinphrine (spelling?) in addition to seratonin.

[blondeatlast]

4. I checked Medline (I was interested in the NEP--not gonna spell it)

issue. It doesn't contain NEP, in fact, it is in the same class as Paxil.

FWIW, it hasn't caused one of it's more common side effects in me; that is, decrease in sexual desire. I think, because it lifted me out of depression, it may have helped in that department.

[blondeatlast]

3. I've been on it for about a year and a half.

I had a bit of drowsiness at first, but it seemed to go away within a week. It took about 6 weeks before I really noticed my depression lifting, but once it took effect I have been much, much, better.

Word of caution--DO NOT STOP TAKING IT WITHOUT CONSULTING THE DOCTOR. Stopping it is very dangerous, it needs to be weaned off of. Even a few missed doses can increase depressive thoughts. I tried to stop it for a couple of days when I went on a weekend trip and forgot to bring it. Within four days, even though I had resumed taking it, I could feel the effects of stopping it.

It's been a miracle for me, though, really.

[booksenkatz]

5. I was on it briefly in 2000 for mild PPD

Normally, I fall asleep on placebos, as I am highly susceptible to sleep factors in drugs, even when they don't exist, LOL. But Celexa made me totally awake all the time, I couldn't sleep to save my life. It had no effect on my mommy blues, which were really just normal new mommy fatigue. I stopped the Celexa and increased my B vitamins, it made a big difference for me.

Hope your friend finds something that helps.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

6. On it for almost 7 months...

The primary side effect I have dealt with since the beginning is yawning -- yes, yawning excessively. It has gotten better, but there are some days that it is still pretty bad. I also do have the increased sweating side effect, but a good deoderant takes care of that one. I haven't noticed any other problems.

I noticed a difference within 48 hour starting the medication, but it still took almost four months for it to really reach a place I was happy with.

[ironflange]

7. Didn't work for me

I tried it for a few months a few years ago after we decided the Zoloft wasn't helping any more. It just plain did nothing. Then, we tried Effexor XR and I've been one happy little clam since.

:) :evilgrin: :P B-) :bounce: :toast: :7

This does not mean Celexa won't work for others; my dad-in-law swears by it.