Celexa (Citalopram) is manufactured by Forest Laboratories, Inc. and is prescribed for depression, panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders. The medication was approved by the FDA in 1998 but has recently been linked to serious side effects including; suicidal thoughts and actions, seizures, sexual dysfunction and hyperactivity.
In the United States, mental illness occurs in an estimated 12% of children and adolescents (7 to 12 million). Depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are among the most common conditions in teens and young adults. Considering alarming statistics like these, it is no wonder how an anxiety and depression medication like Zoloft has become so popular. What is even more alarming is that the side effects caused by the drug can in some cases be worse than the symptoms the medication is used to treat.
Celexa FDA Alert
The FDA recently issued an alert announcing the results of a study looking at the use of antidepressant medicines during pregnancy by mothers of babies born with a serious condition called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).
Babies born with PPHN suffer from abnormal blood flow in their heart and lungs. PPHN can be a fatal disorder due to the fact that it restricts the oxygen flow throughout the babies body. Results from the study also showed that babies born to mothers who took SSRIs 20 weeks or later into their pregnancies had a higher chance (were 6 times as likely) to have PPHN, when compared to babies born to mothers who did not take antidepressants during pregnancy.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Celexa is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs are a class of antidepressants used to treat various forms of depression, anxiety disorders and personality disorders. There is evidence of increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors and other psychological side effects in young people who have taken SSRI antidepressants. For this reason, all SSRIs (with the exception of Prozac) are not approved by the FDA for use in people under the age of 18. The side effects are so severe that in 2004, the FDA ordered the strongest safety warning possible:
Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of an SSRI or any other antidepressant in a child or adolescent must balance this risk with the clinical need.
Here are some additional SSRIs that have recently received media coverage due to negative side effects:
If you or a loved one have experienced any side effects from Celexa contact us immediately at 800-966-4999 or fill out the free case evaluation form to the right of your page for an immediate review of your case.
