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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rotem on March 11, 2002, at 4:40:11
this is the new celexa, that was launched at Switzerland.
I would like very much to hear
is it different from celexa? Does it harm less the libido? etcRotem
Posted by Bill L on March 11, 2002, at 8:57:55
In reply to Does anyone tried cipralex (escitalopram) ? , posted by rotem on March 11, 2002, at 4:40:11
It will be launched in about 3 months in the US. In clinical trials, it had less side effects than Celexa in 2 categories:
1) day time tiredness and
2) sexual side effects> this is the new celexa, that was launched at Switzerland.
> I would like very much to hear
> is it different from celexa? Does it harm less the libido? etc
>
> Rotem
Posted by rotem on March 11, 2002, at 15:07:24
In reply to Re: Does anyone tried cipralex (escitalopram) ? , posted by Bill L on March 11, 2002, at 8:57:55
Posted by rotem on March 11, 2002, at 15:10:08
In reply to Re: Does anyone tried cipralex (escitalopram) ? , posted by Bill L on March 11, 2002, at 8:57:55
I am from Israel.
I would like to know How can I get it from Switzerland ? can I buy it from Israel ?My pdoc said that I should wait till it come to Israel,but I can't wait... I am on Prozac for 6 years, and don't have sex since then, so you can understand. I have tried all the other SSRI, and they all harm my libido and weren't good as prozac in the anti-depression effect.
Posted by Bekka H. on March 11, 2002, at 20:27:48
In reply to Does anyone tried cipralex (escitalopram) ? , posted by rotem on March 11, 2002, at 4:40:11
Rotem, when you say the medicine was launched in Switzerland, are you saying that it is currently available there?
Posted by Anyuser on March 11, 2002, at 21:35:12
In reply to Re: Does anyone tried cipralex (escitalopram) ? , posted by Bekka H. on March 11, 2002, at 20:27:48
Escitalopram is called Cipralex in Europe, Lexapro in the US. It has been approved by the health authorities in Sweden and Switzerland, and is expected to be on the market in the second quarter of this year.
Posted by rotem on March 12, 2002, at 5:48:49
In reply to Re: Does anyone tried cipralex (escitalopram) ? , posted by Bekka H. on March 11, 2002, at 20:27:48
this is what I got from the representative of Lundbeck, in reply to my e-mail:"Escitalopram was actually launched across Switzerland at the beginning of March".
I don't know if it means it is already available.
Maybe you know what it is mean ? :-)But Anyuser, it is marketed in Switzerland before the second quarter of this year.
Posted by Bill L on March 12, 2002, at 9:03:45
In reply to Re: Does anyone tried cipralex (escitalopram) ? , posted by rotem on March 11, 2002, at 15:10:08
I don't know if you can order it from a different country. Some options that people use to help with the sexual side effects are:
1) add Wellbutrin to take with Prozac
2) add Remeron to take with Prozac
3) add Viagra
4) add Yohimbine - but it can cause high blood pressure
5) add Ginkgo Biloba
Posted by bonnie_ann on March 12, 2002, at 21:28:27
In reply to Re: Does anyone tried cipralex (escitalopram) ? , posted by Bill L on March 12, 2002, at 9:03:45
I currently take Celexa and have really good prescription coverage. I asked my Dr about the Lexapro and he said it was another "me too" drug.
He compared it to Claritin and Clarinex. He said the insurance companies won't pay for it.
I've read up alot on this and I don't believe him as far as the ME TOO is concerned, but I do wonder about insurance. I thought it didn't matter until Celexa became generic.
Bonnie
Posted by Bekka H. on March 12, 2002, at 21:51:56
In reply to Will insurance cover Lexapro(escitalopram) ? , posted by bonnie_ann on March 12, 2002, at 21:28:27
> I currently take Celexa and have really good prescription coverage. I asked my Dr about the Lexapro and he said it was another "me too" drug.
> He compared it to Claritin and Clarinex. He said the insurance companies won't pay for it.
> I've read up alot on this and I don't believe him as far as the ME TOO is concerned, but I do wonder about insurance. I thought it didn't matter until Celexa became generic.
> Bonnie
*************************************************Hi Bonnie,
I don't know whether insurance companies will cover it. If you have good insurance, maybe they will. Why wouldn't they? Celexa won't be generic for a long while (I think), and Lexapro isn't the same drug. I mean, it's only one of the isomers of Celexa and presumably has different effects.Like your doctor, I am worried -- and often discouraged and fed up -- about there being too many "me too" drugs and not enough truly novel, creative psychopharmacology research going on, but I think we have to wait and see. Each person responds differently, so it just might be better for some people. Recently, I tried the brand new drug, Focalin. It is the d-isomer of Ritalin. I found it to be VERY different from Ritalin, but several other people I know who tried it said that they thought it felt a lot like Ritalin, only stronger. So, perhaps Lexapro will be like that: it will work for some and not others.
Posted by pharmrep on July 31, 2002, at 3:05:54
In reply to Re: Will insurance cover Lexapro(escitalopram) ? , posted by Bekka H. on March 12, 2002, at 21:51:56
Great question. I market Celexa, and will be switching to Lexapro when it's out(maybe August).
First let me assure you thatLexapro is hardly a "me too." I've learned from the Dr's I see that my competitors are trying to plant that seed. (I think my competition is scared). Lexapro definitley shows better efficacy in all the studies done. Celexa has 3 years left on patent, and it would make no sense to move to Lexapro and leave Celexa unless the clinical studies were that obvious (they are...I've seen them) As far as managed care coverage...it varies from city to city, but I can assure you Forest has a whole division set up just to work with managed care companies and to get the coverage...it might take some time, but it will happen.
PS A Nobel Prize was won in 2001 by the scientist who developed the technology used in separating the isomers in the way Lexapro is done
Posted by Kairos on November 22, 2002, at 2:29:37
In reply to Will insurance cover Lexapro(escitalopram) ? , posted by bonnie_ann on March 12, 2002, at 21:28:27
Bonnie -
Could I ask a few questions? What have you found with the research you've done? Why is Lexapro not a "Me Too" drug?
Also - I have a general complaint about the Docs - WHY in the world prescribe what the insurance co's WON'T pay for????
I've been given a three week supply of Lexapro - and just about the time my body will have acclimatized to the Lexapro - wham - my insurance co MAY say NO????
Gawd - this is the shits! (Not to mention that I mean that literally since the SSRI's DO that to me! AND what's MORE - I'll have to RE-Acclimatize to a different drug IF Lexapro ISN'T covered!).
Can someone start EDUCATING the Psych's that it is BEST to check with the particular insurance co's for what they WILL cover BEFORE prescribing a three week dose??? Maybe if all of us make a point of making this request the Docs will GET it?
Thanks Bonnie - and I'll look for your post!
Kairos
> I currently take Celexa and have really good prescription coverage. I asked my Dr about the Lexapro and he said it was another "me too" drug.
> He compared it to Claritin and Clarinex. He said the insurance companies won't pay for it.
> I've read up alot on this and I don't believe him as far as the ME TOO is concerned, but I do wonder about insurance. I thought it didn't matter until Celexa became generic.
> Bonnie
Posted by Atlrunner2002 on November 22, 2002, at 5:42:51
In reply to Re: Will insurance cover Lexapro(escitalopram) ? , posted by Kairos on November 22, 2002, at 2:29:37
> Bonnie -
>
> Could I ask a few questions? What have you found with the research you've done? Why is Lexapro not a "Me Too" drug?
>
> Also - I have a general complaint about the Docs - WHY in the world prescribe what the insurance co's WON'T pay for????
>
> I've been given a three week supply of Lexapro - and just about the time my body will have acclimatized to the Lexapro - wham - my insurance co MAY say NO????
>
> Gawd - this is the shits! (Not to mention that I mean that literally since the SSRI's DO that to me! AND what's MORE - I'll have to RE-Acclimatize to a different drug IF Lexapro ISN'T covered!).
>
> Can someone start EDUCATING the Psych's that it is BEST to check with the particular insurance co's for what they WILL cover BEFORE prescribing a three week dose??? Maybe if all of us make a point of making this request the Docs will GET it?
>
> Thanks Bonnie - and I'll look for your post!
>
> Kairos
>
> > I currently take Celexa and have really good prescription coverage. I asked my Dr about the Lexapro and he said it was another "me too" drug.
> > He compared it to Claritin and Clarinex. He said the insurance companies won't pay for it.
> > I've read up alot on this and I don't believe him as far as the ME TOO is concerned, but I do wonder about insurance. I thought it didn't matter until Celexa became generic.
> > Bonnie
>
>
Since my doctor was kind enough to give me 2 months of samples, I just had my Lexapro filled for the first time. My insurance company considered it "non-formulary," so I paid $50 for it. It could be worse; the pharmacist told me that without any coverage it would have been $79.95. Maybe your insurance company will at least pay part of it.
Posted by samenewme on November 23, 2002, at 17:59:57
In reply to Re: Will insurance cover Lexapro(escitalopram) ? , posted by Atlrunner2002 on November 22, 2002, at 5:42:51
> > > He compared it to Claritin and Clarinex. He said the insurance companies won't pay for it.
> > > I've read up alot on this and I don't believe him as far as the ME TOO is concerned, but I do wonder about insurance. I thought it didn't matter until Celexa became generic.
> > > Bonnie
> >
> >
> Since my doctor was kind enough to give me 2 months of samples, I just had my Lexapro filled for the first time. My insurance company considered it "non-formulary," so I paid $50 for it. It could be worse; the pharmacist told me that without any coverage it would have been $79.95. Maybe your insurance company will at least pay part of it.
>
>My insurance paid for it. Call the company for the most current information, and ask if they'll cover it on appeal. My doctor called a pharmacist he deals with, and when the pharmacist said it had been a month since he'd had it rejected, my doctor started prescribing it.
Some insurance companies are strict about their formularies. Others are strict but will make exceptions if your doctor will jump through the hoops. Good luck!
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