Celexa vs. lexapro...time for a switch?

[dadinTN]

My therapist believes I have a little GAD along with some male post partum....took 20 mg of celexa for 2 weeks then got upped to 30 mg which I've been taking for 3 weeks.  I am much better than when I first started and have gone through the early side effects (dry mouth, fatigue, fogginess, etc).  

With that said, I have had some very good days followed by days filled with general anxiety.  I understand that a pill won't solve all issues associated with anxiety; however, I do wonder if making a switch to lexapro (or other med) might give me more better days.  

Should I give the celexa a little more time?

Any thoughts or experiences with celexa and lexapro?

thanks

[RubyWitch]

Both citalopram, (Celexa) and escitalopram, (Lexapro) are SSRI's and both have, as unlabeled uses the control of panic. They both also have CNS side effects of anxiety in the beginning stages of treatment. You say you've been on the citalopram for approximately 5 weeks? It can take up to 35 days for citalopram to reach "steady state" in your blood, which means you won't begin to feel any real relief from your depresson for possibly a bit over a month. Which is exactly where you are now. In my humble and non-medical opinion, I would give the Celexa another few weeks and see how you feel then. It might be worth discussing with your doctor the breakthrough anxiety.......there are a few possibilites.........he/she may ask that you give the drug more time to work, they may give you what is known as a "rescue" medication to take if you have a sudden and unexpected anxiety attack, which would be a temporary solution until the med fully takes effect, they may consider upping your dose (40mg is maximum) or they may consider switching you to something else. Also be aware that after being on Celexa for 32 weeks you should be re-evaluated for long term usefullness of this medication.
Last, but not least, since you are already in therapy, I will assume these issues are being dealth with.........meds will only mask the symptoms. You need to find and deal with the root cause of them.
I have never taken either of these meds, so I have no personal experience with them. Many folks here probably have first-hand knowledge and hopefully they will wade in with some better insight for you.
As always, the ONLY real advice I can give you is to discuss all this with your doctor. Only the two of you can decide which path to take.
Let us know how you're doing, OK?
Peace
Greenlydia  

[RubyWitch]

Both citalopram, (Celexa) and escitalopram, (Lexapro) are SSRI's and both have, as unlabeled uses the control of panic. They both also have CNS side effects of anxiety in the beginning stages of treatment. You say you've been on the citalopram for approximately 5 weeks? It can take up to 35 days for citalopram to reach "steady state" in your blood, which means you won't begin to feel any real relief from your depresson for possibly a bit over a month. Which is exactly where you are now. In my humble and non-medical opinion, I would give the Celexa another few weeks and see how you feel then. It might be worth discussing with your doctor the breakthrough anxiety.......there are a few possibilites.........he/she may ask that you give the drug more time to work, they may give you what is known as a "rescue" medication to take if you have a sudden and unexpected anxiety attack, which would be a temporary solution until the med fully takes effect, they may consider upping your dose (40mg is maximum) or they may consider switching you to something else. Also be aware that after being on Celexa for 32 weeks you should be re-evaluated for long term usefullness of this medication.
Last, but not least, since you are already in therapy, I will assume these issues are being dealth with.........meds will only mask the symptoms. You need to find and deal with the root cause of them.
I have never taken either of these meds, so I have no personal experience with them. Many folks here probably have first-hand knowledge and hopefully they will wade in with some better insight for you.
As always, the ONLY real advice I can give you is to discuss all this with your doctor. Only the two of you can decide which path to take.
Let us know how you're doing, OK?
Peace
Greenlydia  

[amanda__nichole]

opps forgot to add that if you have been on it for 3 weeks now you said? it should be showing signs that it is working. my doctor usually tells me to give it a full month. so ya. hope that helps!

[amanda__nichole]

I was on lexapro and I suffer from anxiety/panic disorder. I found that it did not help from me. When I first started medication Paxil Cr was perfect for me! I no longer had any anxiety! i took it for about a year and then got off it because one side effect was increased appetite and I gained like 20+ pounds. So I then went to Effexor, Lexapro, Remron, and I am now on Pristiq. SO far the prestiq has helped my depression. I got severely depressed a few months back because I was not doing anything. I would just lay in my room all day because of the fear of my panic attacks. Anyway lets just say that I am getting back to my old and happy self. The pristiq however doesn't fully help my anxiety. My doctor put me on Buspar which helps with just daily anxiety but doesn't help with the anxiety and panic I get when I go out. If you only suffer from GAD and a little depression you might want to give pristiq and buspar a try. I know Buspar alone is just for GAD. and of course pristiq is an antidepressant. I hope this helps. :-]