Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking celexa as follows:
- Celexa can also induce frequency of urination or polyuria. Individuals with history of poorly controlled diabetes, frequent urinary tract infections, and intake of diuretics can also present with frequent urination. Such individuals taking celexa, must be aware of this side-effect, as celexa can aggravate the discomfort of polyuria significantly. Severely increased frequency of urination can contribute to loss of body fluid and dehydration. Dehydrated individuals can present with low blood pressure, episodes of confusion, increased risk for falls & accidents, and increased risk for urinary tract infections. Observing compliance with timed voiding recommendations and other hygienic practices can help reduce the discomfort of polyuria. Compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations and rehydration measures can help with preventing dehydration and development of any UTIs.
- Celexa use can sometimes increase the risk for deterioration and worsening of clinical symptoms of mood disorders. Continue taking celexa, as recommended, even if your mood feels better. Discontinuing the medication abruptly, without your physician’s recommendation, can result in disruption of chemical balance in the brain, resulting in worsening of mood disorder and severe withdrawal symptoms. During withdrawal, individuals can present with complaints such as, feeling low, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, gross appetite changes, impulsiveness, agitation, aggression, hallucinations, mania, and suicidal thoughts. Report any deterioration of symptoms of mood disorder and withdrawal symptoms immediately to your physician, so that, a dose change or change in plan of care could be considered.
- Observe compliance with all physician visits and periodical lab draws ordered, while taking celexa. This helps to timely notify your doctor on improvement/deterioration with symptoms of mood disorder and side-effects developed. This will also allow your physician to make appropriate changes to plan of care and dose of celexa, as needed.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
