It has been used in Europe for almost a decade, and a total of 8 million patients have been prescribed Celexa. It has many similarities to the other SSRI's-Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Luvox. Like any antidepressant, not everyone responds or tolerates any given medication. Treatment must always be individualized.
Many patients report a lifting of their mood one week after treatment is started.
Like the other SSRI's, it is a broad spectrum psychotropic. It is generally well tolerated and quite safe. There appears to be no weight gain associated with Celexa. In my experience, the most common side effect is some nausea in a few patients when they first start the medication. Taking half the starting dose the first day or two helps to minimize this possibility.