Celexa is an antidepressant used to treat clinical depression in patients. It is prescribed as a "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor" used to balance serotonin in the brain, providing relief from depression.

While Celexa can be effective, this medication is under alert by the FDA when combined with Triptan medications. Be sure your doctor knows all medications you are on, and do not stop this medication without your doctor as you could have possible serious side effects.

The FDA has issued an alert as of July 7Th 2006 Celexa is potentially life threatening when taken with Triptan Medications. A life threatening condition called "Serotonin Syndrome" can occur when medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like for example Celexa and medications used to treat migrain headaches known ad 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists, in other words, (triptans) are combined with Celexa. Before taking Celexa and triptan together, speak with your Doctor.

Some of the signs and symptoms of "Serotonin Syndrome" can include the following... restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, rapid heartbeat, increase in body temperature, quick changes in blood pressure, overactive reflexes, diarrhea, coma, nausea and vomiting. The above side effects are more likely to occur while first starting or increasing medication.

Another alert issued at the same time, in regards to Celexa, pertains to persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) within infants. Studies conducted on pregnant mothers taking Celexas showed the possibility of infants being born with this condition. This condition creates a problem with the lungs and the heart in which the blood flows abnormally, creating a deficit of oxygen within the body of the newborn. Through these studies it showed that mothers five months pregnant or more, taking Celexa or any SSRI, for that matter, had six times the risk of developing PPHN than those mothers who did not take any sort of antidepressant while pregnant.

This information reflects FDA's current analysis of data available to FDA concerning this drug. FDA intends to update this sheet when additional information or analysis become available.

Patients at risk should not take Celexa or if you are taking another medication to treat depression, called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) and or if you have recently stopped taking an MAOI in the last 14 days. Taking Celexa in a close time frame such as 14 days of taking MAOI medications can result in serious and even fatal reactions, such as high body temperature and coma seizures (convulsions).

MAOI medications do include (phenlezine sulfate), Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate), Marplan (isocarboxazid) and other brands.

As you can see above there are some serious risks involved with Celexa. This is not a complete list of possible side effects or serious conditions that can occur while taking Celexa. Check with your doctor for further information regarding it's uses, benefit, possible risks involved in your patient care with Celexa.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Celexa.