Last reviewed · How we verify
Celexa (CITALOPRAM)
Celexa works by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, allowing more of this neurotransmitter to be available for communication between nerve cells.
Celexa (citalopram) is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) developed by Forest Labs and currently owned by Abbvie. It targets the sodium-dependent serotonin transporter to increase serotonin levels in the brain, treating depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. Celexa is a small molecule modality with a 33-hour half-life and is available as a generic medication. It was FDA-approved in 1998 and is no longer patented. As a result, it is widely available from multiple generic manufacturers.
At a glance
| Generic name | CITALOPRAM |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | AbbVie |
| Drug class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| Target | Sodium-dependent serotonin transporter |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neuroscience |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1998 |
Mechanism of action
Pharmacodynamics. The mechanism of action of citalopram hydrobromide as an antidepressant is presumed to be linked to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from its inhibition of CNS neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). In vitro and in vivo studies in animals suggest that citalopram is highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with minimal effects on norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) neuronal reuptake. Tolerance to the inhibition of 5-HT uptake is not induced by long-term (14 day) treatment of rats with citalopram. Citalopram is racemic mixture (50/50), and the inhibition of 5-HT reuptake by citalopram is primarily due to the (S)-enantiomer.Citalopram has no or very low affinity for 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, dopamine D1 and D2, 1-, 2-, and -adrenergic, histamine H1, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), muscarinic cholinergic, and benzodiazepine receptors. Antagonism of muscarinic, histaminergic, and adrenergic receptors has been hypothesi
Approved indications
- Depressive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Major depressive disorder
Boxed warnings
- WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Citalopram is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ]. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients taking antidepressants. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors ( 5.1 ) . Citalopram is not approved for use in pediatric patients ( 8.4 ).
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Somnolence
- Dry Mouth
- Sweating Increased
- Tremor
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Dyspepsia
- Abdominal Pain
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Anorexia
Drug interactions
- High Risk QT Prolonging Agents
- Ioflupane I-123
- amiodarone
- amitriptyline
- armodafinil
- artemether
- asenapine
- bepridil
- carbamazepine
- chloramphenicol
- cimetidine
- cisapride
Key clinical trials
- Dynamic Networks in Depression Treatment: Mechanisms of Change in Pharmacological, Psychological and Combined Treatment of Depression (PHASE4)
- TDM-Guided Treatment With SSRIs in Hospitalized Adults and Children (PHASE4)
- Efficacy and Mechanisms of Escitalopram in Drug-Naïve First-Episode Major Depressive Disorder (NA)
- Citalopram as a Posterior Cortical Protective Therapy in Parkinson Disease (PHASE2)
- Acupuncture and Escitalopram for Treating Major Depression Clinical Study (NA)
- Pattern Separation in Major Depressive Disorder (PHASE1)
- Optimized Predictive Treatment In Medications for Unipolar Major Depression (OPTIMUM-D) (PHASE4)
- Treatment of Psoriasis With Depression and/or Anxiety With Methotrexate vs Combined Methotrexate and Antidepressant (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Celexa CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Celexa updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- AbbVie portfolio CI