Celexa Lawsuit Information

Celexa is a common anti-depression drug. Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) is in a class of medicines called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Celexa is used for the treatment of depression. It treats depressive disorder. In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Forest Laboratories, Inc.'s drug, Celexa.

Most patients who take Celexa have no severe adverse reactions. However, the drug also has dangerous health risks. This article will provide an overview of Celexa. It will also describe the drug's common side effects and severe health risks. Finally, this section will discuss Celexa lawsuits and what to do if you or your newborn suffer an injury after using the medication.

Is Celexa the Same as Other Antidepressants?

It seems as if hundreds of drugs fall into the class of antidepressants. We see advertisements for them on television every day. People tend to confuse one type of anti-depression drug with the others.

Aside from Celexa, some of the more popular antidepressants include:

• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Zoloft (sertraline)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)

All these drugs have side effects, and they all pose health risks. You can find more information about these drugs in psychiatry journals or from your health care provider.

Are There Any Off-Label Uses of Celexa?

Yes, doctors have prescribed Celexa to treat other mental health conditions. 

Many drug companies sell medications for one specific disorder despite signs they could treat other medical issues. There is no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for them, but off-label uses are legal for doctors to prescribe.

For Celexa, some of the off-label uses include the following:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Menopausal symptoms
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Dementia agitation
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

If your doctor prescribes Celexa for any of these health issues, be careful. Ask your doctor what the adverse side effects are so you can weigh the pros and cons of taking the drug. You should also avoid taking this drug if you're pregnant, hoping to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

One of the problems with off-label uses is that doctors often prescribe the drug at high doses. Your doses of Celexa will be much higher if you're taking it for a condition like OCD. This means your side effects can be even more severe.

Health Risks Associated With Celexa Side Effects

Millions of Americans have taken Celexa without issue. However, there are several risks associated with the drug.

Some of the risks of using Celexa include:

• An increased risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions
• Bleeding problems, especially if taken with aspirin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or other drugs that affect bleeding
• Mania (becoming hyperactive, excitable, or elated)
• Seizures
• Increased risks if you are pregnant or may become pregnant: babies born to mothers taking Celexa late in pregnancy have developed problems such as difficulty breathing and persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN)
• Serotonin Syndrome
• Sexual problems including impotence (erectile dysfunction), abnormal ejaculation, difficulty in reaching orgasm, or decreased libido (sexual desire)

If you experience these severe side effects, don't stop taking the medication suddenly. Doing so may result in other harmful side effects. Your healthcare professional should slowly decrease your dose as necessary.

It is important to tell your healthcare professional about all known medical conditions, especially if you have liver or kidney disease or glaucoma. Also, let them know if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed your baby.

Celexa FDA Alert: Serotonin Syndrome

In July 2006, the FDA issued an alert stating that a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome can occur when people take Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs, such as Celexa) and medicines used to treat migraine headaches together.

Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:

• Restlessness
• Hallucinations
• Loss of coordination
• Fast heartbeat
• Increased body temperature
• Rapid changes in blood pressure
• Overactive reflexes
• Diarrhea
• Coma
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Serotonin syndrome may be more likely to occur when starting or increasing the dose of an SSRI or a triptan. If you take migraine headache medicines, ask your healthcare professional if your medicine is a triptan.

Celexa FDA Alert: Antidepressants and Pregnant Women

In July 2006, the FDA issued an alert announcing the results of a study on the use of antidepressant medicines during pregnancy by mothers of babies born with a severe condition called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

Babies born with PPHN have abnormal blood flow through the heart and lungs. They do not get enough oxygen to their bodies or brains. Babies born with PPHN can be very sick and may die.

Results from the 2006 study also showed that babies born to mothers who took SSRIs 20 weeks or later into their pregnancies had a higher chance of PPHN, especially when compared to babies born to mothers who did not take antidepressants during pregnancy.

Does Celexa Cause an Increased Risk of Suicidality?

Government action points to higher suicide concerns for people taking Celexa.

In October 2004, the FDA issued a public health advisory directing all antidepressant drug manufacturers to revise their product labeling to include boxed warnings and expanded warning statements that alert healthcare providers to an increased risk of suicidality, such as suicidal thinking and behavior, in children and adolescents taking an antidepressant compared to a placebo.

In response to the FDA advisory, Celexa manufacturer Forest Laboratories, Inc. added a black box warning to Celexa's prescribing information. The FDA highlighted that doctors had to watch adults taking antidepressants closely for worsening depression and increased suicidality. Monitoring these patients is especially important when treatment begins and when doses are increased or decreased.

The FDA is working closely with antidepressant manufacturers, physicians, and pediatric experts to evaluate the risk of suicidality in children, teens, and adults treated with these medications.

Who Should Avoid Taking Celexa?

Never take Celexa while taking another drug that treats depression, called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have stopped taking an MAOI in the last 14 days. Taking these two drugs close in time can result in serious and sometimes fatal reactions, including high body temperature, coma, and seizures (convulsions).

Other groups who should avoid taking Celexa include:

• Pregnant women
• Women who are breastfeeding
• Children and older adults
• People with heart problems
• Patients with liver or kidney disease
• Those individuals with glaucoma
• People who have had a recent stroke
• Those with seizure disorders such as epilepsy
• Patients with bleeding disorders
• Individuals who use opioids

If any of the above applies to you, beware of taking Celexa. Your doctor should be able to confirm whether the medication will cause an adverse reaction. They must also check for drug interactions.

Celexa Lawsuits and Injury Claims

Under product liability law, manufacturers and sellers must ensure their medications are safe for patients. Drugs shouldn't be unreasonably dangerous to users, nor should they carry any product defects.

As with any other hazardous product, people who suffer serious side effects from Celexa may have a legal claim. Celexa has been the subject of personal injury lawsuits because of its dangers.

In the Celexa lawsuits, a common allegation is that the manufacturer reportedly provided defective warnings about the risks of congenital disabilities and suicidal behavior. Plaintiffs have argued that their injuries wouldn't have occurred if the manufacturer had offered proper warnings. Warnings may have allowed patients to choose alternative treatment, avoiding the damage Celexa caused.

Many patients have greatly benefited from the use of Celexa and other SSRIs. However, some patients have reportedly experienced severe and debilitating medical complications. As a result, thousands of patients have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of Celexa.

Wrongful Death Actions

Under state wrongful death laws, immediate family members may sue the party that caused their loved one's death. In the Celexa litigation, victims' families have filed wrongful death lawsuits in various instances.

One case involved a baby who had died allegedly from a Celexa-induced congenital disability. Plaintiffs have also filed wrongful death actions in cases where Celexa allegedly caused a patient's suicide.

Attorneys in some Celexa lawsuits involving allegations of suicide have settled their cases. Others are still pending.

What To Do if You Suffered an Injury While Taking Celexa

If you or your loved one suffer an injury after taking Celexa, you may have a legal claim. Your personal injury lawyer must prove that your injuries were due to the medication. They can also help you prove your damages.

Contact an experienced dangerous drug attorney to get a case evaluation. Many personal injury attorneys offer free consultations. Understanding your legal options can allow you to make informed decisions for your recovery from negative side effects.