Posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2005, at 16:52:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro 40mg (success stories only please) » ed_uk, posted by Jakeman on June 19, 2005, at 13:37:57
Hi Jake,
>.....any particular reason that you chose Celexa over Lexapro?
My pdoc doesn't prescribe Lexapro - he likes to stick with the older meds that he's familiar with. In fact, the hospital pharmacy probably doesn't even stock Lexapro. Most UK docs are the same, new drugs rarely gain popularity overnight like they do in the US. It's illegal to advertise prescription drugs to the general public and NHS pharmacists put pressure on docs to prescribe generic drugs. My pdoc seems to be scared that escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex) will turn out to have some serious side effects, not sure why - I don't think he realises that it is very similar to citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil).
I take generic citalopram. I have tried the brand name: Cipramil (ie Celexa) - it seemed just the same as the generic.
>From what I've read, the two are almost indentical in their make-up, efficacy and side effects.
Yes. Celexa (citalopram) consists of 2 chemicals: R-citalopram and escitalopram. Escitalopram is the active drug, R-citalopram probably doesn't do that much, not in most people anyway.
Lexapro contains escitalopram but no R-citalopram.
Some scientists have suggested that R-citalopram might oppose the therapeutic effects of escitalopram - this conclusion is based on animal experiments. Others have suggested that R-citalopram might cause side effects such as drowsiness. Although this is possible, and might be true for some people, most of citalopram's side effects are probably due to escitalopram. Although Lexapro may be advantageous for a few people, many would probably do just as well on Celexa.
>One difference in the US is that Lexapro is much more expensive.
In the UK, Cipramil (Celexa) and Cipralex (Lexapro) are exactly the same price! The reason for this is that doctors have be very skeptical about the alleged advantages of Lexapro and have continued to prescribe Celexa. Lundbeck, the manufacturer, wants to encourage docs to start prescribing Lexapro because citalopram is now available as a generic.....whereas escitalopram is not.
For some reason, generic citalopram is actually slightly MORE expensive that brand name Cipramil in the UK! Most pharmacies seem to be dispensing the generic though, I expect the price of the generic will come down substantially over the next few years.
Anyway, all UK National Health Service prescriptions cost £6.50. Whatever drug you get, at whatever quantity, you always pay £6.50. So.....it doesn't really matter to me how much my meds cost!! The meds are paid for through taxes, most people are exempt from prescription charges and pay nothing. I'm not exempt though so I have to pay £6.50 :-(
Kind regards,
Ed.
poster:ed_uk
thread:515331
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050617/msgs/515590.html