Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking celexa as follows:
- Celexa intake carries the risk of lowering the blood pressure. Hypotension, secondary to celexa intake, can lead to episodes of confusion and dizziness. Avoid sudden changes in position, until you are used to the side-effects of celexa intake. Sudden change of positions can make the confusion and dizzy episodes even worse and precipitate accidents and falls. Report any episodes of increased dizziness, syncope, and loss of consciousness while taking celexa. Discuss with your physician regarding all your medications and their risk of aggravating hypotension caused by celexa.
- Celexa carries the risk of causing and/or aggravating cardiac arrhythmias. Celexa can also interact with many antibacterial and antifungal antibiotics, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medications, resulting in development or aggravation of underlying cardiac arrhythmias, leading to debility and sudden cardiac death. Avoid taking celexa along with medications belonging to the above-mentioned groups, to prevent any dangerous arrhythmias from developing. Discuss with your physician regarding your history of cardiac arrhythmias, if any, if you are newly started on celexa. If you are newly diagnosed with any cardiac arrhythmias discuss with your physician regarding your safety with continuing on celexa, if you have been using the medication for long.
- Celexa can induce some dizziness and make one drowsy. Starting the medication at a low dose, watching for the response, and gradually changing the dose, to help optimum control of your symptoms, can contribute to controlling/reducing the risk for drowsiness and dizziness due to the medication. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by celexa intake. Also, avoid taking celexa together with any other medications you may have on your list that also carry potential to cause dizziness, as both the medications could complement each other on causing dizziness, posing a severe threat. Observing a 1 – 2 hour interval between taking such medications can help prevent episodes of dizziness and risk.
- Celexa use in expectant mothers could harm the unborn baby and result in birth defects. So, celexa should be cautiously used or avoided for an alternative drug during pregnancy and in women planning for pregnancy. Women in the child-bearing age group, taking celexa on a regular basis, must employ effective contraceptive measures in order to avoid getting pregnant.
