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Prozac vs. Celexa

Are Prozac and Celexa the Same Thing?

Prozac (fluoxetine) and Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type antidepressants used to treat depression.

Prozac is also used to treat bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Prozac?

Common side effects of Prozac include:

What Are Possible Side Effects of Celexa?

Common side effects of Celexa include:

  • constipation,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • upset stomach,
  • decreased sexual desire,
  • impotence,
  • difficulty having an orgasm,
  • dizziness,
  • drowsiness,
  • tiredness,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • dry mouth,
  • increased sweating or urination,
  • weight changes, and cold symptoms such as stuffy nose,
  • sneezing, sore throat, or
  • cough.

What Is Prozac?

Prozac is a prescription medicine used to treat depression. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks of treating depression and also the risks of nottreating it. You should discuss all treatment choices with your healthcare provider.

Prozac is used to treat:

  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Bulimia Nervosa*
  • Panic Disorder*
  • Depressive episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder, taken with olanzapine (Zyprexa)
  • Treatment Resistant Depression (depression that has not gotten better with atleast 2 other treatments), taken with olanzapine (Zyprexa)*

*Not approved for use in children

Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not think that your condition is getting betterwith Prozac treatment.

What Is Celexa?

Celexa is a prescription medicine used to treat depression. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. You should discuss all treatment choices with your healthcare provider. Celexa is also used to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not think that your condition is getting better with Celexa treatment.

 

What Drugs Interact With Prozac?

Prozac may interact with cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures or anxiety, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other antidepressants, blood thinners, or migraine headache medicines.

Prozac may also interact with alprazolam, clopidogrel, clozapine, flecainide, haloperidol, nebivolol, vinblastine, or seizure medications.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Prozac.

What Drugs Interact With Celexa?

Do not take Celexa if you:

  • are allergic to citalopram hydrobromide or escitalopram oxalate or any of the ingredients in Celexa. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Celexa.
  • take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including the antibiotic linezolid.
  • Do not take an MAOI within 2 weeks of stopping Celexa unless directed to do so by your physician.
  • Do not start Celexa if you stopped taking an MAOI in the last 2 weeks unless directed to do so by your physician.
  • People who take Celexa close in time to an MAOI may have serious or even life-threatening side effects. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:

Before starting Celexa, tell your healthcare provider if you are taking certain drugs such as:

Before starting Celexa, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • have liver problems
  • have kidney problems
  • have heart problems
  • have or had seizures or convulsions
  • have bipolar disorder or mania
  • have low sodium levels in your blood
  • have a history of a stroke
  • have high blood pressure
  • have or had bleeding problems
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Celexa will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of treating depression during pregnancy
  • are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed. Some Celexa may pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking Celexa

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Celexa and some medicines may interact with each other, may not work as well, or may cause serious side effects.

Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can tell you if it is safe to take Celexa with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicine while taking Celexa without talking to your healthcare provider first.

 

How Should Prozac Be Taken?

Take Prozac exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of Prozac until it is the right dose for you.

Prozac may be taken with or without food.

If you miss a dose of Prozac, take the missed dose as soon as you remember.If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your nextdose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Prozac at the same time.

If you take too much Prozac, call your healthcare provider or poison controlcenter right away, or get emergency treatment.

How Should Celexa Be Taken?

Take Celexa exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of Celexa until it is the right dose for you.

Celexa may be taken with or without food.

If you miss a dose of Celexa, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Celexa at the same time.

If you take too much Celexa, call your healthcare provider or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.