Cipralex (escitalopram)

[Traveler312]

My doctor has recommended Cipralex (escitalopram) to combat side-effects. I am retreating and at Week 10 of 48 (Genotype 1).

I do not have prior experience with this medicine. Has anyone had experience taking this medication. Was there improvement in taking this medication and any side-effects experienced.

I look forward to hearing your experiences. Thanks.

[meki]

Nope --- what's it for?

[geterdone]

errrr... I think i would rather pull up my boot straps and tough it out for awhile to see how much i could tolerate before consider taking this med but that it just me cuz I had enough with the drugs being taken at the time. Might want to read the side effects in the pamphlets provided with the current meds to.

jasper

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
Confusion
Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor)
Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
Visual disturbances
Decreased appetite
Fever (pyrexia)
Dizziness
Alteration in taste
Seizures
Sleepiness (somnolence)
Nervousness
Sexual problems
Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
Pain in the muscles and joints
Increased sweating
Rash or itching

[ladywhy]

ah yea...those possible side effects sound an awful lot like the side effects (sx) of the original treatment. I'm in agreement with getterdone.

[Bill1954]

In the U.S., escitalopram is branded as ‘Lexapro’, a SSRI antidepressant. Doctors here routinely prescribe this drug (along with other brands) to help manage mood changes secondary to interferon treatment for Hep C.

I was prescribed this drug prophylactically (before treatment) about three years ago, and recently stopped. I have not experienced any of the side effects mentioned above, either during use or afterwards. Based on my own experience, I would recommend it if needed.

Good luck—

Bill

[ladybug52]

You beat me to the answer! I use celexa it's an older version of Lexapro and cheaper. Many people would rather fight the sides without an a/d, but since I was taking this before tx, I continued. I was on celexa then Lexapro and went back to celexa. I heard that Lexapro was a combo of
celexa and prozac hence the name Lexapro.
This is not to be interpreted as medical advice:) just my little input.
How many weeks left?
Hugs,
Bug

[Bill1954]

Hi there, my favorite insect thingy!

I do my last injection (96) next Friday, followed by a week of riba. We’ll see what the tea leaves say soon :o). So good to see you posting again—

Bill

[Traveler312]

What have been your experiences with the size of dosage with Cipralex? I have not had experience with these types of drugs and am nervous about taking them.

Has anyone had difficulty getting off of Cipralex?

[Bill1954]

I was prescribed 10 mg/day for a period of about 3 years, and suffered no adverse reactions. I recently stopped taking it, and did not notice any unpleasant reactions.

Properly administered, the patient should not experience any difficulties; it doesn’t solve the worlds problems, but makes the load we sometimes carry a little lighter.

Best of luck to you—

Bill

[ladybug52]

I haven't had any side effects when I stopped taking a/d, just the return of the old symptoms I started taking it for in the first place. I would love to be free of all meds, but celexa makes me a happier person, less stressed, less anxious and less prone to anger and irritability. Not that I don't have any of those problems--stress, anxiety, anger and irritability, but my moods are much more manageable with celexa.
The SSRI's have been used in the tx of generalized anxiety disorders, which is why I use them, not just for depression. Having generalized anxiety IS depressing!
I'm not advocating the use of a/d's for anyone, just offering my own story....
Bug