Celexa and Suicide: An Overview
Celexa® (
citalopram hydrobromide) is a prescription medication used for the treatment of
depression in adults. It is part of a group of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (
SSRIs). As with all
antidepressants, there may be an increased risk of suicidal behavior when taking Celexa.
Celexa and Suicide: FDA Warning
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a special warning about the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior with
antidepressant use in children and teenagers. The warning was issued due to concerns that antidepressants seemed to increase the risk of suicidal behavior in children and teenagers in clinical studies.
Although Celexa is not approved for use in children and teenagers, it may be used "
off-label" for this use.
Does Celexa Cause Suicides?
In clinical studies, it did appear that there was a slightly increased risk of suicidal behavior in children and teenagers who took antidepressants, including Celexa. In one study, about 4 percent of children and teens taking an antidepressant had suicidal thoughts or behavior, compared to 2 percent of children and teens who were not taking an antidepressant. This study looked at all suicidal behavior, including suicides, attempted suicides, and thoughts about committing suicide. It is important to note that no one in the study actually committed suicide.
It is difficult to know for sure if antidepressants cause suicidal behavior. To make matters more confusing, depression itself can cause suicidal behavior. The bottom line: you should report any signs of suicidal behavior to your healthcare professional, whether you are taking an antidepressant or not.
Certain people seem to be at higher risk for suicidal behavior while taking antidepressants. This includes people with
bipolar disorder (or a family history of
bipolar disorder) and those who have attempted suicide (or have a family history of suicide attempts).
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