Celexa
® (
citalopram hydrobromide) is a prescription medication licensed for the treatment of
depression. However, on occasion, healthcare providers may prescribe Celexa for other, non-approved uses (or "
off-label" uses). Some of these off-label benefits of Celexa include treating conditions such as alcoholism,
anorexia, obesity, and
obsessive-compulsive disorder (
OCD).
As a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (
SSRI), Celexa works by acting on a specific chemical within the brain known as serotonin. Serotonin is one of several chemicals used to send messages from one nerve cell to another. When the levels of serotonin become unbalanced, this imbalance can cause a variety of conditions, including depression. Celexa helps to block the reuptake of serotonin so that more serotonin remains in the space between the brain's nerve cells.
Studies have shown Celexa to be effective for
depression treatment in adults. People who took it showed more improvement in depression symptoms compared to people not taking the medicine. Also, long-term studies have shown that fewer people taking it relapse (have their depression come back) than people not taking it.
(Click Celexa and Celexa Uses for a more in-depth look at the benefits of Celexa, including information on how it works and how it can help relieve the symptoms of depression and possibly other various conditions.)
