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Citalopram (Celexa): Antidepressant for Teens

Author:
Hayley Snelling
Hayley Snelling
B.S. Psychology
Editor:
Emma Loker
Emma Loker
B.S.
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Feeling overwhelmed, constantly down, or anxious isn’t just “teenage moodiness.” Children and teens can have mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, just as adults do. 

If you’re looking for treatment for your mental health, you might be considering Celexa for teens. Celexa – also known by its generic name citalopram – is a medication sometimes prescribed to teens to help them manage their depression or anxiety. But is it safe? And what do you need to know before you start taking it? 

On this page, we’ll go through everything you need to know about Celexa – from how it works to its benefits and side effects. We’ll also answer some questions you might have about starting it. 

Whether you’re a parent or a teen looking for answers, you’ll find clear and honest information to help you make an informed decision about what is best for your mental health. 

Citalopram (Celexa) Antidepressant for Teens

What Is Celexa and What Does It Treat in Teens?

You may have heard the names citalopram and Celexa come up in conversations about mental health treatment, but what exactly are they? And is citalopram used in adolescents? 

Well, Celexa is the brand name for a medication called citalopram. It is a type of antidepressant known as an SSRI – a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It is used to balance out the levels of a brain chemical called serotonin which affects your mood and how it is regulated. People with depression or anxiety are thought to have lower levels of serotonin than other people without these conditions, so increasing and balancing its levels can help you feel better.1

Celexa is most commonly used to treat depression in adults, but is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Citalopram is not normally given to children or teens under 18 years old, however, there may be some cases in which a doctor decides that it will be the best treatment for a child’s condition, such as for teen anxiety relief with Celexa.2 

Some research trials have found that Celexa can be effective in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in children and teens. However, because of the limited amount of evidence available, citalopram is usually considered a second-line option for treating depression in teens and children.3,4

Is Celexa Safe for Adolescents?

Citalopram isn’t usually given to children, so is Celexa safe to use in teens? Let’s look into that now.

FDA Approval

Citalopram has FDA approval for treating depression in adults. This means that it has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as meeting certain quality, safety, and effectiveness criteria in this particular group of people for this type of mental health condition. However, it can also be used “off-label” for treating conditions such as OCD, GAD, and major depressive disorder in teens.5 

One research trial in children and teens found that citalopram brought significant improvements to those with OCD, while other trials have shown it can be effective at helping anxiety and depression in teens.3,4,6

Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior

Citalopram also comes with a warning aimed specifically at those aged under 24 years of age, which is sometimes called a “black box warning”. It has been found that antidepressants such as SSRIs can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and young adults, so patients need to be aware of this when they begin taking Celexa.5 If you start having thoughts of suicide when you begin taking this medication, you must seek immediate help and advice from your doctor or a mental health professional. 

When you are discussing medications for treatment with your doctor, they will weigh up the risks and benefits of taking this medication. For example, if you have tried the first line of antidepressants (such as Prozac) and had issues with side effects or found they just didn’t have the expected result, Celexa may be a good option to look at. 

Celexa and Teen Brain Development

There is very little evidence that teenage brain development is negatively impacted by taking Celexa. However, there also isn’t evidence to suggest there is no risk at all.7 More research needs to be carried out to determine whether there is any risk to a teen’s brain development from taking citalopram (Celexa) antidepressant for teens. All of this is taken into consideration by your doctor when deciding whether Celexa is the right SSRI for you to try. 

Side Effects of Celexa in Teens

All medications come with the possibility of side effects, and Celexa is no different. Side effects are usually temporary and can begin when you start taking a new medication, and then fade away within a week or so. 

One in ten children and teens can experience side effects from taking SSRIs, so it’s good to be aware of what to look out for.8 Some of the most common physical and emotional side effects of Celexa in teens are:9

  • Nausea
  • Drowsiness
  • Sleep problems
  • Sweating more
  • Weight changes
  • Appetite changes
  • Dry mouth

There is also a small risk of agitation and suicidal thoughts when starting Celexa, as mentioned earlier. If you start having thoughts of suicide, it’s important to seek immediate help and talk to your doctor as soon as you can.

Your doctor will start you on a low dose of Celexa to reduce the risk of side effects, and then increase the dose slowly until you reach the stage where you should feel the maximum benefits. Remember to talk to your doctor about any side effects you get, as they will be able to help you find ways to manage them or alter the dose or medication type to help you feel better. 

For example, if you are sweating a lot, wearing looser clothing and using a strong antiperspirant may help, or if taking the tablet makes you feel drowsy you could take it before you go to sleep. You may find it helpful to write down any side effects you get in a notebook or an app on your phone so that you can keep your doctor informed.

What Happens When You Start Teen Depression Treatment With Celexa?

When you start taking Celexa, you may experience some initial side effects for the first week or so. Once these wear off and the citalopram starts to work, you should begin to feel some of the benefits of taking citalopram. 

How Long Does Celexa Take to Work in Adolescents?

Celexa takes around a week to reach a steady state in your body and brain as it can take a while to build up in your system.10 This means you may start to notice improvements within a week or two. However, we are all unique in how we react to medicines, so it may take four to six weeks to feel the full effects. 

Citalopram Dosage for Teenagers

Celexa usually comes in a capsule or tablet which is swallowed daily. The exact dosage will depend on your doctor’s recommendation, however, adults usually start at 20mg once a day, increasing up to a potential maximum of 40mg per day.

Monitoring your symptoms while beginning treatment is useful not only for keeping track of any side effects, but also for noticing whether you are feeling better, worse, or the same, whenever there is a dose change and generally over time. You can then discuss with your doctor how well you think citalopram is working for you.

Stopping Celexa Safely as a Teen

When you want to stop taking Celexa, it is advised to reduce your dose gradually rather than stopping suddenly. If you suddenly quit taking your medication, you risk experiencing withdrawal effects, which are unpleasant temporary physical and mental effects. 

Celexa withdrawal symptoms teens may experience include:10

  • Low mood
  • Irritability and agitation
  • Dizziness
  • Tingling or shock-like sensations
  • Anxiety
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep problems

The risk of having withdrawal symptoms is much smaller when you reduce your dose slowly under your doctor’s supervision, as you give your body a chance to get used to functioning with less citalopram in its system over time. 

However, you could potentially still experience some of these symptoms depending on how long you’ve taken Celexa, what dosage you usually take, and how quickly or slowly you reduce it. This is why it’s important to include your doctor in creating plans to stop taking Celexa.

Frequently Asked Questions About Citalopram for Teens

If you’ve still got questions about Celexa, hopefully, we can answer them in this section. Here are some of the most common questions people have about taking citalopram that we haven’t already covered in this guide. 

“How Long Do I Need to Take Citalopram For?”

Generally, you’ll want to take it for at least four to six weeks to see if it brings improvements to your mood. After that, you may want to stay on Celexa for several months or longer if it is helping you.10

“Can Teens Become Dependent on Celexa?”

No, you cannot become dependent on Celexa or citalopram. However, sometimes withdrawal effects can feel very unpleasant as your brain has become used to this medication helping it to keep serotonin levels balanced. Your dosage may need to be lowered very slowly over time to help you stop taking citalopram without feeling the withdrawal symptoms as severely, as mentioned earlier. 

“Celexa vs Other Antidepressants for Teens - Which Is the Best Choice?”

Choosing the best antidepressant for your individual circumstances is a very personal choice. Celexa is usually a second-line treatment, meaning it is taken when the first treatment (usually an SSRI like Prozac) hasn’t had the desired results. The best choice for you will come down to a balance between your mental health condition, the side effects you experience, and the benefits you expect to get. All of these are best discussed with your doctor or mental health professional so that you can plan the way forward for your recovery. 

“Can I Have Therapy Alongside Medication?”

Yes, you can. In fact, therapy can be very beneficial when carried out alongside medication. The medication can resolve physical symptoms and mood problems, and therapy can help you get to the root of any underlying issues that may be contributing to your condition. It can help you to understand your feelings, increase your self-awareness, and teach you new coping strategies that can be beneficial for life and managing your condition.

citalopram for teen mental health

Seek Guidance for Teen Mental Health Medications

If you’re a teen or a parent of a teen who’s experiencing depression and wondering what you can do, know that support is available. Mission Prep specializes in helping teens with their mental health conditions, including depression. Whether you are seeking support for lifestyle changes, therapy, medication management, or a combination of these, we are here to help you find the best route toward healing. 

Mission Prep provides depression treatment tailored to your individual challenges because we understand that depression can affect everyone differently. We have a range of treatment options available including:

Our team of mental health professionals is here for you every step of the way. Reach out to us today or call us at (866) 451-1973 to find out how we can help you on your road to recovery. 

References

  1. Miller, C. (2024, November 18). Medication for kids with depression. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/medication-for-kids-with-depression/

  2. MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Citalopram: MedlinePlus drug information. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a699001.html

  3. Carandang, C., Jabbal, R., MacBride, A., & Elbe, D. (2011, November 1). A review of escitalopram and citalopram in child and adolescent depression. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3222577/

  4. Baumgartner, J. L., Emslie, G. J., & Crismon, M. L. (2002). Citalopram in children and adolescents with depression or anxiety. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 36(11), 1692–1697. https://doi.org/10.1345/aph.1c078

  5. Shoar, N. S., Fariba, K. A., & Padhy, R. K. (2023, November 7). Citalopram. In StatPearls. NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482222/

  6. Thomsen, P. H. (1997). Child and adolescent obsessive-compulsive disorder treated with citalopram: Findings from an open trial of 23 cases. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 7(3), 157–166. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.1997.7.157

  7. Cousins, L., & Goodyer, I. M. (2015). Antidepressants and the adolescent brain. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 29(5), 545–555. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881115573542

  8. American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Antidepressants side effects: Pediatric mental health minute series. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/mental-health-minute/antidepressants-side-effects/

  9. Wilson, A. R. (PharmD). (2024, March 14). Side effects of Celexa: What you need to know. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/celexa-side-effects#more-common-side-effects

  10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2009). Celexa® [Label]. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/020822s047lbl.pdf

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