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Celexa Sexual Side Effects
When taking Celexa, sexual side effects may develop. These sexual side effects may include decreased sex drive or orgasm problems, impotence, ejaculation problems, and priapism. If you are taking Celexa and sexual side effects occur, talk to your healthcare provider so he or she can recommend treatment, adjust your Celexa dosage, or switch you to another antidepressant.
Celexa® (citalopram hydrobromide), like all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is known to cause certain sexual side effects. Celexa sexual side effects may include:
- Decreased sex drive or orgasm problems
- Ejaculation problems
- Impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction or ED)
- Priapism, a painful erection that does not go away.
Celexa is known to cause a decrease in sex drive (known as libido). In clinical studies where side effects of Celexa were documented, a decreased sex drive occurred in up to 3.8 percent of men and 1.3 percent of women taking the drug. Also, 1.1 percent of women taking Celexa reported problems with anorgasmia (inability to achieve orgasm).
Celexa is also known to cause ejaculatory problems. Generally, these problems are usually delayed ejaculation or the inability to ejaculate. In fact, Celexa can be used to treat men that have problems ejaculating too early (see Celexa and Premature Ejaculation).
In clinical studies where side effects of Celexa were documented, ejaculation problems occurred in up to 6.1 percent of men.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD