Celexa and Alcohol
What is Celexa?
Celexa is the brand name of Citalopram which is in a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Some individuals notice reduced symptoms within a few days or weeks after starting Celexa, but for others, the full effects may take several months. People who combine Celexa and alcohol may notice reduced effectiveness of the drug.
Celexa is available in liquid or pill form, is widely available, and a popular method for treating mood disorders.
What Does Celexa Treat?
Specifically, doctors prescribe Celexa to treat anxiety. However, they may also prescribe it to treat depression, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, and binge eating disorder. The drug works by balancing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is the naturally occurring brain chemical that regulates mood, sleep, and other functions.
Celexa changes brain chemistry by reducing the rate of serotonin absorption, thereby reducing anxiety and improving mood. More than 32 million prescriptions for Celexa (Citalopram) were dispensed in the US last year.
Side Effects of Celexa
- Dry mouth
- Sleep disturbances
- Nausea
- Drowsiness, lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Sexual problems
- Allergic reactions (rash, hives, swelling of the mouth, face, or tongue)
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Rapid heart rate
- Hallucinations
- Nervousness
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Is Celexa Addictive?
When Celexa is suddenly discontinued, withdrawal symptoms that appear are known as SSRI discontinuation syndrome.
- Mood swings
- Vivid dreams
- Memory problems
- Tremors
- Aggression
- Irritability
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Thoughts of suicide
- Insomnia
- Flu-like symptoms
- Chills
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Convulsions
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Confusion
- Vivid dreams
- Aggression
- Memory problems
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Mood swings
- Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolation, secretive behavior
- Problems at work or school
- Financial issues due to job loss
- Damaged relationships
As with any prescription drug, side effects can be unpredictable. Everyone responds to the substance differently. Of course, no one will experience all of the above physical and psychological signs or symptoms. However, you should advise your physician of any symptoms that cause concern.
Surprisingly, if you stop taking Celexa, withdrawal symptoms may last longer than with other antidepressants.
- 1 – 3 days after the last dose: Mild withdrawal symptoms appear.
- 4 – 5 days after the last dose: Withdrawals may include dizziness, nausea, fever, shakiness.
- 1 – 3 weeks after the last dose: Withdrawal symptoms gradually decrease and may cease altogether.
- 30 days or more after the last dose: Mild withdrawal symptoms may continue for several months.
Risks of Combining Celexa and Alcohol
Manufacturers of Celexa advise against combining Celexa and alcohol because it can cause drowsiness. Although alcohol doesn’t enhance the effects of the drug, the combination can lead to overdose or other serious problems.
- Irregular heart rate
- Severe heart problems
- Amnesia
- Hyperventilation
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Death
Another key point to remember is that doses of Celexa exceeding 40 mg per day can cause heart issues, according to the FDA. Therefore, adding alcohol to the equation can increase that risk because alcohol abuse can also lead to heart problems.
Furthermore, people should not suddenly discontinue using Celexa for the purpose of drinking alcohol. This behavior is dangerous because Celexa builds up in the body over time. So, even if you stop taking the drug and begin drinking alcohol, you can still experience dangerous reactions.
How Does Alcohol Affect Depression?
If you’re taking Celexa to treat depression, drinking alcohol will diminish the effects. This happens because alcohol is a depressant. At first, it may make you feel good, however, that feeling soon wears off, leaving you feeling more anxious or depressed than before. At this point, some individuals attempt to self-medicate by increasing their Celexa dosage.
Treatment for Celexa Dependency or Addiction
In general, Celexa is not physically addictive. But, some individuals may need professional treatment to overcome their psychological issues associated with the substance.
With this in mind, individuals who struggle with Celexa dependency should seek a long-term treatment program that allows adequate time to make behavioral changes that contributed to their drug abuse.
An inpatient program is the best option because it provides a safe, drug-free environment where individuals can focus on healing without facing temptations around every corner.
At A Forever Recovery, we offer a unique approach to treatment that allows clients to take time to heal. Since we don’t want anyone to leave our program until they are confident that they can regain their place in society and avoid relapsing, our program is individualized to meet each client’s specific needs. So, if you’re experiencing problems with Celexa abuse or having trouble controlling Celexa and alcohol use, please contact us today.
- fda.gov – FDA Safety Communication: Revised Recommendations for Celexa
- accessdata.fda.gov – Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs