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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Celexa Usage Cause A Stroke With Numbness And Speech Impairment?

I have a friend who just had a stroke after having started lowest dose of celexa , this was not the 1st one she has had , but i am concerned that this time it may have been the celexa , . the left side of her body is numb and her speech is impaired ?
Tue, 27 Jan 2015
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Neurologist 's  Response
I read your query and I understand your concern about your friend.
Whether she has suffered a stroke or not that is not connected to the use of Celexa (citalopram), it is not associated with increased stroke risk, actually it is often used in treating post-stroke depression.
Since you say she's had previous strokes she should be well evaluated before reaching to the conclusion that she's had a stroke (it's unclear by your post whether stroke was diagnosed by a doctor or is your own conclusion). She might have minor remains from previous strokes and since Celexa could cause somnolence it could enhance previous deficits of left side or manifest speech alteration in the absence of a new stroke. It's difficult even for us professionals at times to reach a conclusion when there are confounding factors like sedatives and previous stroke, brain imaging is needed to confirm.
I hope things work out for the best.
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Neurologist Dr. Olsi Taka's  Response
I read your question and I understand your concern, the use of any drug must be considered carefully for its potential side effects and consequences.

In the particular case of your friend however I don't think Celexa (citalopram) had anything to do with her stroke, it does not cause any such issues, actually at times we use it in stroke patients with depression in our practice.
Since your friend has had other strokes in the past she obviously has other risk factors predisposing her to have a stroke. I don't know what preventive treatment she was given, but at times even with the right preventive treatment stroke recurrences can happen, medication lowers that risk but doesn't completely eliminate it.

I hope to have been of help.
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Can Celexa Usage Cause A Stroke With Numbness And Speech Impairment?

I read your query and I understand your concern about your friend. Whether she has suffered a stroke or not that is not connected to the use of Celexa (citalopram), it is not associated with increased stroke risk, actually it is often used in treating post-stroke depression. Since you say she s had previous strokes she should be well evaluated before reaching to the conclusion that she s had a stroke (it s unclear by your post whether stroke was diagnosed by a doctor or is your own conclusion). She might have minor remains from previous strokes and since Celexa could cause somnolence it could enhance previous deficits of left side or manifest speech alteration in the absence of a new stroke. It s difficult even for us professionals at times to reach a conclusion when there are confounding factors like sedatives and previous stroke, brain imaging is needed to confirm. I hope things work out for the best.