Celexa vs. Irenka

Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) and Irenka (duloxetine capsule) are antidepressants used to treat major depressive disorder.

Celexa and Irenka are different types of antidepressants. Irenka is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and Celexa is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Irenka is also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Celexa may also interact with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (such as sleeping pills, narcotics, muscle relaxers, or medicine for anxiety or seizures), tacrolimus, arsenic trioxide, vandetanib, anti-malaria medications, heart rhythm medications, HIV/AIDS medications, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, and stomach acid reducers.

Side effects of Irenka and Celexa that are similar include nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, fatigue/tiredness, sleep problems (insomnia), constipation, dizziness, diarrhea, and increased sweating.

Side effects of Irenka that are different from Celexa include headache, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain.

Side effects of Celexa that are different from Irenka include upset stomach, decreased sexual desire, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, increased urination, weight changes, and cold symptoms (such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and cough).

Both Irenka and Celexa may interact with alcohol, other antidepressants, antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, migraine headache medicines, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, and St. John's wort.

Irenka may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), cimetidine, aspirin, aluminum- and magnesium-containing antacids, theophylline, caffeine, desipramine, fentanyl, and buspirone.

Do not stop using Celexa suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Common side effects of Celexa include:

• headache,
• abdominal pain,
• indigestion,
• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• upset stomach,
• bloating,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• nervousness,
• headache,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• sore throat,
• skin rash, and
• insomnia.

Celexa may cause serious stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Common side effects of Irenka include:

• nausea,
• headache,
• dry mouth,
• drowsiness,
• fatigue,
• insomnia,
• constipation,
• dizziness,
• diarrhea,
• decreased appetite,
• increased sweating, and
• abdominal pain

Celexa used to treat pain and redness, swelling, and heat (inflammation) from medical conditions such as different types of arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other types of short-term pain.

Irenka (duloxetine capsule) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Do not take Celexa:

• if you have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAIDs.
• right before or after heart bypass surgery.

Irenka may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), cimetidine, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, warfarin, aluminum- and magnesium-containing antacids, theophylline, caffeine, desipramine, alcohol, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John's wort. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Celexa and other treatment options before deciding to use Celexa. Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

The dose of Irenka is 40 mg/day (given as 20 mg twice daily) to 60 mg/day (given either once daily or as 30 mg twice daily) for major depressive disorder, and 60 mg/day for generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.