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What Causes Irritability After Taking Celexa?
Question: My 13 yr old niece just did a taper (2 days) from Lexapro to Celexa. She's being treated for depression. Last night was the first dose of Celexa. Within 2-3 hours of taking it, she suddenly became rageful. The episode lasted about 2 hours. This morning she was fine. Could that have been caused by seratonin flooding, or anything else related to the rx's?
Brief Answer:
Change is drugs is probable reason for these symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
Celexa and Lexapro both are SSRI drugs and increase the serotonergic neurotransmission. So taking these drugs together increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Safe method to shift from Lexapro to Celexa is cross tapering. This prevents not only risk of withdrawal but also reduces the risk of Serotonin syndrome. If she has just started taking Celexa and is off Lexapro now then I don't think the symptoms are occurring due to serotonin flooding.
But since Lexapro and Celexa are two different drugs and there is difference between pharmacokinetics. In my opinion change in drugs is probably reason for her sudden change in behaviour. This is absolutely normal and she is fine now so I don't think there is any urgent need to do something.
Watch for her change in behaviour, any irritation, flashing of face or dizziness.
Thanks. Take care
Change is drugs is probable reason for these symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
Celexa and Lexapro both are SSRI drugs and increase the serotonergic neurotransmission. So taking these drugs together increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Safe method to shift from Lexapro to Celexa is cross tapering. This prevents not only risk of withdrawal but also reduces the risk of Serotonin syndrome. If she has just started taking Celexa and is off Lexapro now then I don't think the symptoms are occurring due to serotonin flooding.
But since Lexapro and Celexa are two different drugs and there is difference between pharmacokinetics. In my opinion change in drugs is probably reason for her sudden change in behaviour. This is absolutely normal and she is fine now so I don't think there is any urgent need to do something.
Watch for her change in behaviour, any irritation, flashing of face or dizziness.
Thanks. Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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