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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Intake Of Lorazepam And Celexa Cause Hallucinations?

I am 75 years old, female and are expriencing halliucations which started with taking an opiate cough syrup given to me in the ER to take home with me. I immediately started having halliucations and read on the bottle that it could cause halliucations. I stopped taking it immediately. But the halliucations have never stopped now for a year or more. I recently found out that two medications I am taking for several years; lorazepam and celexa have been known to cause halliucations. I am under the care of the same physician for over 20 years but I think these two medicines need to be changed to another drug that doesn't cause them. I am going out of my mind!!!!
Thu, 18 Jun 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Celexa is Citalopram and is a SSRI drug. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine drug. Both drugs are safe drugs and if taken under prescription are free of serious side effects. In my opinion both of these drugs couldn't cause hallucinations in you because you have been taking these drugs since years and also it is not common to see hallucination as side effect with these drugs. Your hallucinations got precipitated after taking a cough syrup and you are 75 years old. In my opinion considering your age and persistent symptoms there is need for evaluation. Dementia or cognitive decline should be ruled out. A lot of elderly have complaints of hallucinations in dementia. Please consult a psychiatrist for help. Medicines like low dose antipsychotics as Riperidone can even reduce these symptoms. Visit a doctor for prescription of the drug.


Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
M.D. Psychiatrist.
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Does Intake Of Lorazepam And Celexa Cause Hallucinations?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Celexa is Citalopram and is a SSRI drug. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine drug. Both drugs are safe drugs and if taken under prescription are free of serious side effects. In my opinion both of these drugs couldn t cause hallucinations in you because you have been taking these drugs since years and also it is not common to see hallucination as side effect with these drugs. Your hallucinations got precipitated after taking a cough syrup and you are 75 years old. In my opinion considering your age and persistent symptoms there is need for evaluation. Dementia or cognitive decline should be ruled out. A lot of elderly have complaints of hallucinations in dementia. Please consult a psychiatrist for help. Medicines like low dose antipsychotics as Riperidone can even reduce these symptoms. Visit a doctor for prescription of the drug. Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, M.D. Psychiatrist.