The Best Time of Day to Take Celexa (Plus 4 More Pharmacist-Backed Tips)

Celexa (citalopram) is an antidepressant medication. More specifically, it’s a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs are first-choice medications for treating depression. Some SSRIs are also first-choice medications for other mental health conditions, such as anxiety.

Below, we’ll cover five common tips for taking this antidepressant, including the best time to take Celexa.

1. The best time of day to take Celexa depends on whether it’s causing sleep changes

You can take Celexa at any time of day. It’s usually taken once a day, so it’s best to take it at the same time each day so you don’t forget a dose.

Celexa is one of the least likely SSRIs to cause sleep problems. But if you have trouble sleeping after taking Celexa, try taking it in the morning. This makes it less likely that you’ll have trouble falling asleep. On the other hand, if Celexa is making you drowsy, take it in the evening. This can help reduce daytime sleepiness.

Having trouble sleeping, or feeling extra tired, are also sometimes symptoms of depression. So if you’re experiencing sleep disturbances before starting Celexa, this may start to improve as Celexa begins to work. Though Celexa may start to work within 1 to 2 weeks, it can take 4 to 6 weeks to feel the full effects. In the meantime, following a regular sleep routine may help you sleep better and lessen daytime fatigue.

If you’re having sleep issues after taking Celexa for a few weeks, talk to your healthcare provider. They may recommend adjusting your Celexa dose or trying another antidepressant.

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2. You can take Celexa with or without food, but taking it with food may reduce nausea

You can take Celexa with or without food. Food doesn’t affect how well Celexa works in your body.

But like most SSRIs, it’s possible to experience nausea with Celexa. In this case, taking Celexa with food may help. You can also try to improve nausea by drinking enough water and avoiding greasy or spicy foods. But the nausea should improve on its own as your body adjusts to the medication.

If your nausea doesn’t improve after a few weeks of taking citalopram, talk to your healthcare provider. They may recommend lowering your dosage or trying another antidepressant. For example, Prozac (fluoxetine) is one of the least likely SSRIs to cause nausea.

3. You usually don’t have to separate Celexa from your other medications

Celexa may have drug interactions because of how it works in the body. But they aren’t related to when you take it. So you don’t have to separate Celexa from most other medications. An exception is any medication that should be taken apart from other medications, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint) and other thyroid medications.

Make sure to give your healthcare provider and pharmacist a list of all the medications and supplements you take. They can check for drug interactions and make changes to your medication regimen if needed. 

Possible Celexa interactions include medications and substances that:

• Can cause bleeding: Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) and anticoagulants (blood thinners) like Xarelto (rivaroxaban) and Coumadin (warfarin).

• Increase serotonin levels: Celexa works by increasing levels of a brain chemical called serotonin. Other medications that increase serotonin — like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), triptans, and Lithobid (lithium) — can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome when combined with Celexa. This is rare, but can be dangerous in some cases.

• Can cause dizziness or drowsiness: Sleepiness isn’t extremely common with Celexa, but it’s possible. Combining it with other medications and substances that have the same effect can lead to excessive drowsiness. Examples include opioids,  benzodiazepines, and alcohol. It’s usually best to avoid combining Celexa with these substances.

• Affect your heart rhythm: Celexa can affect your heart rhythm. Combining it with other medications that have a similar effect may be dangerous. Examples include Pacerone (amiodarone), Methadose (methadone), and Diflucan (fluconazole). Pimozide, a medication for Tourette syndrome, should be avoided completely with citalopram.

This isn’t a complete list of medications that can interact with Celexa. See more Celexa interactions.

4. What to do if you miss a dose of Celexa

If you forget your regularly scheduled dose of Celexa, take it right when you remember unless it’s almost time for your next dose. In this case, wait to take Celexa at your regular time (and skip the missed dose).

Never double up on Celexa doses. Taking too much Celexa raises your risk of side effects. This can include nausea, tremors, and sweating. More seriously, it can lead to a higher risk of bleeding and a faster heart rate.

5. There are ways to manage side effects from Celexa

All SSRIs have possible side effects. In many cases, you can manage Celexa side effects at home. And many will go away over time as your body gets used to the medication. Some common Celexa side effects include: 

• Nausea

• Dry mouth

• Tiredness or trouble sleeping

• Increased sweating

• Tremors

• Sexual problems

If any of these side effects affect your quality of life, talk to your healthcare provider. There are often a few different ways to manage these side effects, including:

• Trying lifestyle changes or OTC treatments: For example, if you're experiencing dry mouth from Celexa, it may help to chew sugar-free gum, sip on cool liquids or ice chips throughout the day, or try saliva substitutes like Biotene.

• Decreasing your Celexa dosage: If you’re experiencing mild Celexa side effects that don’t improve within a few weeks, your provider may recommend decreasing your dosage. But if a lowered Celexa dosage doesn’t seem to work effectively to control your depression symptoms, let your provider know. And never decrease your dose without talking to your provider first. This can lead to uncomfortable side effects.

• Switching you to a different antidepressant: If Celexa is causing side effects that don’t improve, your provider may recommend switching to another antidepressant. This could even be another SSRI. For example, if you’re experiencing sexual side effects from Celexa, switching to Prozac or Zoloft (sertraline) may help. Switching to another type of antidepressant, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Remeron (mirtazapine), may also help. But don’t do this without talking to your provider first.

Celexa can also have more serious side effects. These are rare, but may require emergency care. Examples include suicidal thoughts or behaviors, abnormal bleeding, and seizures. If you’re experiencing any severe side effects from Celexa, call 911 or seek emergency care.

Tips for saving on Celexa

Celexa is available as a brand-name medication. But you can also find it as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price of the generic version of Celexa. Generic Celexa’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $5.66 with a free GoodRx discount.

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Written by:

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP, has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist, professor, and researcher. She was a full-time clinical professor in the pharmacy practice department at D’Youville School of Pharmacy before subsequently joining the faculty of the pharmacy practice department at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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