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Celexa Dosages

For patients with depression, the recommended starting dose of Celexa is 20 mg once a day. The maximum recommended Celexa dosage is 60 mg once daily, although doses above 40 mg are generally not recommended. Your Celexa dose may be increased or decreased if depression symptoms continue or if side effects occur.

 

Celexa Dosages: An Introduction

The dose of Celexa® (citalopram hydrobromide) that your healthcare provider prescribes will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may currently be taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your Celexa dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Celexa Dose for Depression

The recommended starting Celexa dose for people with depression is 20 mg once daily. Your healthcare provider may choose to increase the Celexa dosage if symptoms continue or decrease the dose if side effects occur. The maximum recommended dose of Celexa is 60 mg once daily, although doses above Celexa 40 mg are generally not recommended (because 60 mg has not been shown to be more effective than 40 mg).
 
Elderly people and those with liver problems may start with Celexa 20 mg once daily. The Celexa dose (in this situation) should be increased only if necessary.
 

General Information on Dosing With Celexa

Some considerations for people taking Celexa include:
 
 
  • It usually takes several weeks (perhaps even more than a month) before feeling the beneficial effects of Celexa. Try not to be discouraged if the medication does not work right away for you.
     
  • If Celexa makes you drowsy, try taking your dosage before bedtime. If it causes insomnia for you, try taking it in the morning.
     
  • You can take the medication with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • Celexa should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
     
  • Abruptly stopping medications like Celexa can result in withdrawal symptoms (see Withdrawals From Celexa for more information).
     
  • For Celexa to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. The antidepressant will not work if you take it differently than your healthcare provider prescribes.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to Celexa or your Celexa dosage, please talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;