|  | Conditions Treatments | Depression

Celaxa Side Effects

Celexa or Celaxa is a prescription medication used to treat depression. Despite its effectiveness, Celexa poses a risk of side effects in some patients.

  1. Significance

    • According to the Food and Drug Administration, approximately 16 percent of patients who take Celexa discontinue its use due to side effects.

    Types of Side Effects

    • Common side effects of Celexa include weakness, nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, drowsiness and agitation.

    Gender-Specific Side Effects

    • Approximately 3 to 6 percent of men experience difficulty ejaculating or impotence while taking Celexa. Around 3 percent of women report pain during menstruation or a complete lack of menstruating, while less than 1 percent of women develop breast pain or enlargement.

    Risks

    • Some patients develop a serious excess of the brain chemical serotonin while taking Celexa, causing hallucinations, hyperthermia, rapid heartbeat, muscle rigidity and even coma.

    Warning

    • When you begin taking Celexa, it is possible for your symptoms of depression to temporarily worsen. Some patients develop suicidal thoughts or behaviors during the first 12 weeks of treatment due to this phenomenon.

Depression - Related Articles