Celexa and Autism

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Celexa, the brand name for citalopram, is an antidepressant drug used to treat depression as well as other conditions like panic disorder, alcohol addiction, eating disorders and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Side effects of Celexa include upset stomach, diarrhea, tiredness, shaking body parts, nervousness, reduced appetite, perspiration and changes in the desire or ability to have sex.^[1]

Celexa used to sometimes be prescribed for autism spectrum disorders, or ASD. Although Celexa was not officially recommended to treat autistic patients, doctors had been prescribing it "off label," a common procedure where medications are taken for conditions that the FDA has not approved.^[2]

Contents 1 Celexa Overview 2 Celexa and Autism 3 Celexa Abuse 4 Celexa Side Effects 5 Prescription Drugs 6 References

Celexa Overview

Celexa is a form of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI. This class of drugs is prescribed to treat mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It typically takes at least a week, and up to a month or more, before the full effects of Celexa kick in.^[1]

Celexa is available in a liquid form or in 10, 20 and 40 mg tablets.^[5] The FDA issued a warning that patients should take no more than 40 mg per day because higher doses caused increased electrical activity in the heart while showing no therapeutic benefits at the higher level.^[1]

Celexa and Autism

Patients with autism exhibit a range of behaviors such as:

• asking the same question repeatedly
• swaying
• spinning
• inflexibility in daily activities

Doctors once theorized that Celexa would be helpful in controlling these activities, since SSRIs can be effective in reducing repetitive behaviors in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The drug is no longer believed to help, however, since studies funded by the National Institutes of Health revealed that Celexa is not effective with autism, works no better than a placebo, and is more likely to increase some autistic behaviors like impulsiveness and shortened attention span.^[6]

While the Celexa/ASD research only included a small number of patients, it was the broadest of its type. Some patients did improve on Celexa, but specialists point out that autism behaviors fluctuate over time and that patient improvement might have been a result of a natural swing cycle.^[6]

Celexa Abuse

Celexa is not a controlled substance. Studies with animals showed a low potential for abuse of Celexa. Extensive research using human subjects has not been carried out. Celexa acts on the central nervous system (CNS), and other CNS drugs have been targeted for abuse. However, while drug abuse is unpredictable, experts suggest there is little concern that Celexa will be abused.^[7]

Celexa Side Effects

Patients who take Celexa commonly experience side effects such as:

• nausea
• dry mouth
• vomiting
• dizziness
• sleep problems
• agitation
• change in sex drive

Especially in patients under 24 years of age, there may be an increase in suicidal thoughts and actions. Celexa is contraindicated for patients taking an older form of antidepressant called MAOI, or monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Doses are to be tapered off rather than stopped abruptly.^[1]

Prescription Drugs

Also See: Celexa and Pregnancy, Celexa Coupons, Celexa Side Effects, Citalopram Side Effects, Abilify, Ritalin Side Effects, Risperdal Side Effects, Prozac Side Effects

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0015920/
2. ↑ http://drugs.emedtv.com/medicine/off-label.html
3. ↑ http://www.frx.com/products/celexa.aspx
4. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001041/
5. ↑ http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/docs/temptn.cfm
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20090601/antidepressant-no-help-for-autism-behaviors
7. ↑ http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=34111#nlm34084-4