Although prescription drugs are regulated and tested for safety, people in Cincinnati and across the country are injured by dangerous drugs all too often. Unfortunately, many antidepressants have been connected with patient injuries in recent years.

Now, safety regulators have recognized another antidepressant as a potentially dangerous drug. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about Celexa (citalopram). Other health ministries around the world have followed with similar warnings.

Celexa may cause heart rhythm problems that can lead to fatal heart conditions. Research indicates that higher doses of Celexa make problems more likely. Originally, it was approved for doses up to 60 milligrams. The FDA warning changes that, and sets the maximum dosage at 40 milligrams.

The FDA warns that Celexa may prolong something called the QT interval. This is how cardiologists refer to the time between the electrical stimulus for the left ventricle and the right ventricle. By reducing how well synchronized these heart chambers are with each other, it staggers the heartbeat, hampering smooth blood flow.

The FDA states that patients who are at a particularly high risk of developing Celexa-related problems with the QT interval include patients who are predisposed to having low amounts of potassium and magnesium in the blood.

At this point, it seems that there is no data available on whether or not these affects are permanent. Anyone who has been prescribed Celexa should confer with a physician. No minimum dose has been deemed inherently safe. Current findings only establish that higher doses pose greater threats.

Sources:

The National, "Health warnings issued against anti-depressant," Manal Ismail, Oct. 3, 2011

Salient News, "FDA Issues Yet Another Warning over Celexa Use," Oct. 3, 2011

WebMD.com, "FDA: Celexa May Damage Heart at High Doses," Daniel J. DeNoon, Aug. 24, 2011