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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by qbsbrown on November 1, 2005, at 13:08:07
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??????, posted by Glydin on November 1, 2005, at 8:48:43
And the benefits are the same as celexa, correct? Same drug, just minus the isomer that was useless, and causing more side-effects
Posted by Glydin on November 1, 2005, at 13:37:00
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 1, 2005, at 13:08:07
> And the benefits are the same as celexa, correct? Same drug, just minus the isomer that was useless, and causing more side-effects
~~~ My understanding is that Lex is an isomer of Celexa - a "cleaner" version. I never tried Celexa. There are a number of folks who would say drug companies go into rearranging a few molecules to keep a patented product. It does seem to happen when drugs are already or close to becoming available in generic. At any rate, I have read of folks who went from Celexa to Lex and didn't like it, but I've read the opposite, too....all in what appears to fit.
Posted by ed_uk on November 1, 2005, at 16:02:18
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 1, 2005, at 13:08:07
>isomer that was useless, and causing more side-effects
There isn't any evidence that the 'inactive' isomer causes side effects. I'd recommend generic citalopram (Celexa) over Lexapro - it will save you money!
I take citalopram btw.
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by ed_uk on November 1, 2005, at 16:05:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??????, posted by qbsbrown on October 31, 2005, at 19:57:38
Hi!
>I'm just switching over from celexa 40mgs, which i was on for a week and a half.
10mg/day is a good dose to start with. Increase the dose gradually as required. You're much less likely to experience side effects this way.
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2005, at 9:05:44
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 1, 2005, at 16:02:18
Interesting; But i've never had any side effects like on lexapro like i did on celexa. I wonder if it is engrained in peoples minds that there are less side-effects with lexapro, thus experience less.
However, on the website i like, remedyfind.com, lexapro is the highest rated ssri for all anxiety disoreders (by the public consumers), BUT tied with celexa for depression. I imagine it typically wins out, becasue they factor in side-effects rating on all drugs.I find it extremely odd that people would do better on one VS the other, considering it's the same drug minus 2 molecules. Once again, perhaps the mindset of the taker.
Posted by ed_uk on November 2, 2005, at 14:10:20
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2005, at 9:05:44
Hi,
>But i've never had any side effects like on lexapro like i did on celexa.
Four possibilities.......
1. You've developed tolerance to the SSRI side effects - usually occurs about 2 weeks into treatment.
2. The side effects have disappeared because you're effectively taking a lower dose - 10mg Lexapro is generally comparable to 20mg Celexa.
3. Placebo - the power of suggestion. When people expect less side effects, they experience less side effects.
4. R-citalopram (the 'inactive' isomer) really was causing side effects.
>However, on the website i like, remedyfind.com, lexapro is the highest rated ssri for all anxiety disoreders
Placebo - Lexapro has been *very* effectively marketed.
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by Glydin on November 2, 2005, at 14:40:19
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 2, 2005, at 14:10:20
> Placebo - Lexapro has been *very* effectively marketed.
>
> Kind regards
>
> EdNot as heavily as others here. Few print ads, no TV commercials, doesn't come up much in popup ads - so from the "Can I try that?" patient request aspect, others take the prize for that here.... And all of the meds here are pushed by pharm reps and generally once it been on the market a while, it's on to the newest with "better" bells and whisles... Lex has worked well for me and you know my history.
Hi Ed, how are ya?
Posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2005, at 15:08:59
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » ed_uk, posted by Glydin on November 2, 2005, at 14:40:19
Here's my worry Ed. After a week and a half on 40mgs of celexa, although i lost 10lbs, and had killer headaches, i began to feel better. 3 days now on 10mg of lexapro, i'm back to feeling crappy. So i'm torn as to go back or not.
I was under the impression that 10 mg of lexapro was 40mg of celexa.Any recommendations? And i do not have health insurance, so yes, celexa is much cheaper.
Kind regards,
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2005, at 16:12:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2005, at 15:08:59
so i figure either go to 20 of lexapro, or return to celexa. But rationally i can't think of why celexa would be more beneficial, seeing as it's the same minus the isomer (either it's useless, or non-beneficial), but they wouldn't have taken out something that was beneficial in celexa. See my rationale?
And im obviously obsessing about it, which is what was calming down on 40mg of celexa (obsessions). So indicisive.
Brian
Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 16:46:49
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » ed_uk, posted by Glydin on November 2, 2005, at 14:40:19
Hi G,
>Few print ads, no TV commercials, doesn't come up much in popup ads
Really? I'm surprised. I guess the few ads there have been must have been very effective!
I don't doubt that Lexapro is a useful and effective med, but I do doubt that its superior to the (much cheaper) generic citalopram!
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 16:51:27
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2005, at 15:08:59
Hi Brian
>I was under the impression that 10 mg of lexapro was 40mg of celexa....
.......so the manufacturer claims. Bear in mind though that 20mg citalopram (Celexa) consists of 10mg escitalopram (Lexapro) and 10mg R-citalopram (the other isomer).
>Any recommendations?
Take generic citalopram! Save your money!
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 16:52:40
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2005, at 16:12:14
>But rationally i can't think of why celexa would be more beneficial
Because you were effectively taking a higher dose.
Ed
Posted by Glydin on November 3, 2005, at 16:56:21
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » Glydin, posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 16:46:49
> I don't doubt that Lexapro is a useful and effective med, but I do doubt that its superior to the (much cheaper) generic citalopram!
>You could very well be correct.
I'm just not going to rock a steady boat.
Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 17:11:25
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by Glydin on November 3, 2005, at 16:56:21
I agree, stick with the Lex :-)
Ed xx
Posted by qbsbrown on November 3, 2005, at 17:31:50
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » Glydin, posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 17:11:25
Well after speaking to my doc about it, i belive i will resume the 40mg celexa. This is the highest dose, correct?
He thinks that it is just as beneficial as lex.He was recently at a conference, and a speaker claimed, "they took a perfect drug (celexa), and changed it".
I hope im able to eat and not have brutal headaches.
Thanks guys and gals
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on November 3, 2005, at 17:39:29
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 3, 2005, at 17:31:50
Ed, how much lexapro would you say is equal to 40mg of celexa? 15-20?
Posted by Glydin on November 3, 2005, at 18:51:39
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » Glydin, posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2005, at 17:11:25
How are you?
Lv,
Glydin
Posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2005, at 10:25:39
In reply to Ed - my question » ed_uk, posted by Glydin on November 3, 2005, at 18:51:39
Hi G!
>How are you?
Sorry for not replying earlier - I'm often tired after work.
I'm doing quite well thank you. My mental health is good at the moment. I'm taking citalopram (Celexa) 80mg in the morning and amitriptyline (Elavil) 20mg at night. I'm working at the moment, didn't return to university.
Ed xx
Posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2005, at 10:28:55
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 3, 2005, at 17:31:50
Hi Brian,
If you were taking Lexapro 10mg, I'd switch to 20mg generic citalopram the following day. I don't recommend the Celexa brand (too expensive) - there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the generics.
Stay on 20mg citalopram for a couple of weeks then increase the dose in steps to 10mg as required. Most people end up taking 20-60mg per day.
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by qbsbrown on November 5, 2005, at 18:26:17
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2005, at 10:28:55
Hi Ed. Well i did 20mg for a week, then 40mg for 3 days, then did lexapro 10mg for 3 days.
Now i switched back over to 40mg generic celexa.
Is it normal to have increased anxiety initially? I get highly energized and anxious in the evenings. Other than that, i can tell that im obsessing less, and depression isn't as bad.I have no insurance, so it is much cheaper. How long do i give 40mgs to gauge whether or not to go up to 60mg? Is it more effective for highly anxious people, GAD, very obsessive people?
I pray for no sexual side-effects, fingers crossed.
kind regards,
Brian
Posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2005, at 18:57:39
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 5, 2005, at 18:26:17
Hi Brian
>Is it normal to have increased anxiety initially?
Yes, especially when the initial dose is too high. You could decrease to 30mg for a while, then increase back up to 40mg if necessary.
>How long do i give 40mgs to gauge whether or not to go up to 60mg?
That depends on whether or not you want to find the minimum effective dose - which should reduce the risk of side effects. For me, the maximum effect takes a couple of months to develop. You could increase the dose much sooner if you want to - but the risk of sexual side effects increases with the dose.
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by qbsbrown on November 5, 2005, at 19:07:10
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2005, at 18:57:39
Well i can already tell that 40mg of celexa has been more beneficial than 10 or 20mgs of lexapro. I never felt anything from it, felt like placebo.
So 40mg is a good effective dosage that i should try out for at least a month?
Thanks
Posted by ed_uk on November 6, 2005, at 14:36:41
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 5, 2005, at 19:07:10
Hi Brian
>So 40mg is a good effective dosage that i should try out for at least a month?
40mg is a fairly 'standard' dose. I'd give it more than a month, the full effect can take longer to develop. Some benefit should occur after a few weeks though.
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by qbsbrown on November 6, 2005, at 16:42:09
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?? » qbsbrown, posted by ed_uk on November 6, 2005, at 14:36:41
I think i just realized that i went up way too fast.
Started at 20mgs for 5 days, then to 40 for the past week.
No wonder i've lost 10lbs and am not eating, although hunger is beginning to come back, bus insomnia seems to be getting worse, which i get from all ssris, or am insomniac anyway (klonopin) helps. Hopefully with the celexa, my anxiety will be at bay, i can wean off the klonopin, and finally have a couple of drinks w/o feeling damn tired.
Posted by ed_uk on November 7, 2005, at 14:28:48
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial??, posted by qbsbrown on November 6, 2005, at 16:42:09
Hi Brian :-)
>I think i just realized that i went up way too fast.
I agree. You can decrease the dose if necessary, and increase it more gradually next time.
Kind regards
Ed
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