Celexa Lawsuit Claims & Settlements
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a class of medications that are more commonly known as antidepressants. Millions of people suffer from some form of depression from time to time, and these medications have helped many of them manage their symptoms. SSRIs are also used for conditions such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Over the past 20 – 25 years, millions of people who were suffering from these conditions also used SSRIs and many have enjoyed improved health as a result. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the result for everyone.
One of the leading members of the SSRI classification of drugs is known as Celexa, Generic: Citalopram
It is manufactured by Forest Laboratories and people have used it for several years. Unfortunately, reports of alleged Celexa side effects eventually began to emerge, and these allegations have led to the need for people to obtain advice from Celexa side effects lawyers. Below is an overview of the issues relating to this medication that people have faced.
Weight Gain
According to a study, patients taking Celexa are more likely to gain weight than those on antidepressants such as Wellbutrin or Aventyl. Researchers analyzed changes in the body weight of 22,610 adults prescribed 11 different antidepressants in Boston. The results concluded that, after a year of the medication, patients taking Celexa had a huge increase in body mass index (BMI) of almost half a percent, compared to basically nothing for patients on Wellbutrin. Although this weight gain may seem small, it can be a risk for patients whom weight gain is a concern.
Stopping Celexa Suddenly
It’s not recommended to abruptly stop taking Celexa. This can lead to SSRI discontinuation syndrome, which can include symptoms such as nausea, sweating, vertigo, and an electric shock-like sensation.
Celexa vs. Lexapro
Both medications are SSRI’s, but they have different chemicals and should not be interchangeable. Both Lexapro and Celexa contain enantiomers, molecules that are almost identical but are actually opposites. The chemicals are mirror images of one another. Celexa is a mixture of R and S enantiomers, while Lexapro only has the S enantiomers.
Lexapro is approved to treat anxiety disorders, where Celexa is not and some studies have shown that Lexapro is more effective than Celexa in the treatment of depression.
In terms of side effects, these medications are different. Celexa can cause gastrointestinal upset, dry mouth, ejaculation disorder, bleeding abnormalities, weight changes, and insomnia. Lexapro has much less severe side effects including dizziness, dry mouth, heartburn, ringing in the ears, and a decreased sex drive, which is a common side effect in antidepressants.
Celexa – How It Works
Celexa works like other SSRIs in that it penetrates the chemicals in the brain and helps to regulate them such that balance is restored and messages between brain cells travel more smoothly. The result is that people who are using Celexa notice an improvement in their mood and in their general mental and emotional outlook.
Alleged Celexa Side Effects
As stated above, reports of alleged Celexa side effects eventually began to surface, and these side effects were in some cases common with other SSRIs. Specifically, pregnant women who used Celexa faced an increased risk of having children who were born with a condition that is known as persistent pulmonary hypertension, or PPHN. PPHN is a disease that is otherwise rare and that can ultimately lead to failure of the respiratory system and the heart.
In addition, people who used Celexa were reporting other possible side effects that led to a review of the dosage strength that was being used. The FDA made an announcement in 2011 that dosage should not exceed 40 milligrams per day because doing so could lead to changes in the electrical heart activity. These changes could throw a heartbeat off of rhythm and create a heartbeat so irregular that it could prove to be extremely dangerous.
Anyone who has been using Celexa and who experiences any of the following symptoms should seek immediate medical attention:
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Pounding sensation in the chest
- Fainting
Any of these could be a sign that you have an irregular heartbeat.
Celexa Lawsuit
Lawsuits are being filed against Celexa’s manufacturer, Forest Pharmaceuticals. Common cases include increased suicidal thoughts and violent behavior in young adults and teens taking the drug. One of the lawsuits filed was after the high school shooting in El Cajon, CA in 2001. The shooter, 18-year-old Jason Hoffman, had been prescribed Celexa, and it was claimed that he suffered from the severe side effects.
If you or someone you love has suffered because of the use of Celexa, you need to take action to protect yourself. Generally, it is not advisable for an individual consumer to take on a worldwide corporation, so you will need someone to help you fight effectively. Contact the Celexa side effects lawyers at National Injury Help there may be a class action with possible settlements from claims, today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Questions & Answers About Celexa
What is Celexa used for?
Celexa (generic: citalopram) is prescribed to treat major depression and general anxiety disorder. Developed in the 1980’s by Danish company Lundbeck AG while working with American company Forest Laboratories, its patent expired in 2003. Celexa is a potent member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants which prevent receptors in the human brain from absorbing serotonin that has already been released.
What are the side effects of taking Celexa?
There are several serious side effects when taking Celexa, most involving birth defects and issues with pregnancy:
- Premature birth
- Miscarriage
- Clubbed foot
- Cleft lip or palate
- Delayed development
- Gastroschisis
- Enlarged heart
- Septal heart defects
- Craniosynostosis
- Spina bifida
What is SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome?
SSRI Discontinuation Syndrom, or Withdrawal Syndrome, occurs after patients stop taking a type of antidepressant that is known as a SSRI. They will experience a variety of symptoms that may include headache, faintness, strange sensations of vision or touch, and gastrointestinal distress. The syndrome can reveal itself within days of stopping medication, particularly if it was stopped abruptly.
What is the risk of weight gain with Celexa?
Weight gain has been reported as a side effect of Celexa, occurring in more than one percent of patients taking the medication.
Celexa Lawsuit Claims & Settlements page updated April 29, 2015
Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/265960-differences-of-celexa-lexapro/
