Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CELEXA versus FLUOXETINE POSTPARTUM SAFETY.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CELEXA versus FLUOXETINE POSTPARTUM SAFETY.
CELEXA vs Fluoxetine-Safety-Postpartum
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); potentiates serotonergic activity in the CNS by blocking reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic neurons.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); inhibits serotonin reuptake in the synaptic cleft, potentiating serotonergic activity in the CNS.
20 mg orally once daily initially, may increase to 40 mg once daily after at least 1 week; maximum 40 mg/day.
20 mg orally once daily, initially; may increase after several weeks to a maximum of 80 mg/day. Administer in the morning.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 35 hours (range 23–45 h) in healthy adults. This long half-life allows once-daily dosing; steady state is reached in about 1 week. In elderly patients, half-life may extend to 45–90 hours.
Fluoxetine: 4-6 days (acute), 4-6 weeks (chronic); norfluoxetine: 4-16 days. Steady-state achieved after 2-4 weeks.
Primarily renal: 75% as metabolites (10% as parent citalopram, 65% as desmethylcitalopram, didesmethylcitalopram, and citalopram-N-oxide). Fecal excretion accounts for approximately 20% of the dose. Biliary excretion minimal.
Renal (80% as metabolites, 10% as unchanged drug) and fecal (15%)
Category C
Category A/B
SSRI Antidepressant
SSRI Antidepressant