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From Celexa to Lexapro

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john06556
john06556

Hi All-

So I've been on celexa, 40 mgs for about a year and half now but it really hasn't been working great for me; I'm having blips and frequent episodes of mostly anxiety but sometimes the depression comes as well. I was diagnosed by an MD and put on the celexa but I have recently started seeing a psychiatrist who is really knowledge and has offered me a couple different options. One of the options is to switch from Celexa to Lexapro since it helps with both depression and anxiety and could work well for me. I just decided to do it today since I'm in the middle of another terrible episode. My question is: how is anyone on this forum done this? And what was your experience like? Any and all tips and experiences are welcome. I hope you're all doing well.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • matts4912
    matts4912 john06556

    Edited

    Hi John...

    There isn't a great difference chemically speaking between the two, although some have found one working better than the other. I can see where your p-doc is coming from insomuch that Lexapro is considered to be the Celexa 2.0 if you will. It is safer and can be more potent where needed. With regards to tapering, some have done a direct switch with minimal problems, whilst others have done a cross-taper. I would personally suggest the latter - even over 2-3 weeks. Strictly speaking, 40mg Celexa is comparable to 20mg Lexapro, but again, some find it more potent in smaller doses, so unless you have been told otherwise, I would max it at 15mg and leave yourself the buffer should you need it after giving it a fair trial of a good 10-12 weeks.

    Regarding the switch, some will say there is a risk of serotonin syndrome due to the long half life of both of these meds, but as they act on the HT receptors in a similar way (more similar than Cymbalta or Effexor), the likelihood is minimal. So something along the lines of;

    30mg Celexa / 0mg Lexapro - give this about 3-4 days tops to let the extra 10mg flush out

    20mg Celexa / 5mg Lexapro - stick with this for about 7-10 days

    10mg Celexa / 10mg Lexapro - again 7-10 days

    0mg Celexa / 15mg Lexapro - final switch around the 3 week mark

    Might not be an easy ride, but less risk in doing this than a direct swap which I did, and man did my anxiety go through the roof!!

    FYI, I am an admin on a forum which guides people off AD's... but I am not an MD. Anything else, please ask and I will do my best...

    Take it easy friend and best of luck

    Matt

    • john06556
      john06556 matts4912

      Edited

      Hi Matt-

      Thank you for this detailed response, really appreciate it. I spoke to my psychiatrist's nurse today and and told her i was struggling. She is going to get back to me tomorrow on what my doc. thinks I should do. She suggested that maybe I should just up my buspirone from 15mg. tablets twice a day to more but will see what happens. My psych. is really knowledgeable so If we decide to switch meds, i think he'll know the best way to do it. But I feel better knowing all the info you gave in your reply. I hope everything goes smoothly. Thanks again and take care.

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