![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 239 to 263 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:19:09
In reply to Re: sex. s/e (let's try this one more time -newby) » pharmrep, posted by Winger on September 1, 2002, at 17:43:10
> I have read that small doses of Buspar seem to negate the side effects of SSRI's.
> I have GAD and took Buspar. It worked great for a while, then it started giving me panic attacks, something I never had... and because of it's short half life, if I missed a does, it was bad... anxiety, chest pain, etc....
> I got the buspar from my internest, but finally found a psych doc for help.. she put me on a very small does of zoloft to help me get off the Buspar.. I have to admit, while I was taking a low dose of BOTH, I felt the best I have ever felt.. I slowly stopped the buspar, then the Zoloft started making me edgy and giving me stomach problems.. and so I slowly stopped that as well... I am now trying a low 37.5 mg does of effexor XR.. not bad, fewer side effects, but not as good at the anxiety.. I want to try lexapro... and I may try a small single daily dose of Buspar to get rid of SSRI side effects...
> I found a great web site for this kind of research
> http://www.biopsychiatry.com/venbus.html
> follow the links at the bottom... they're great...
> anyone else heard of this buspar/SSRI thing?
> Good luck and Thanks!** No joke...sexual s/e can be tough with SSRI's...I know it is a tough trade for some...treating the depressive componants vs sex s/e. I have heard of the buspar..and others like wellbutrin added on to SSRI's. It seems that your dose can be low enough for you and that the AD still works. Effexor is usually an SNRI, but at doses below 150 it is still an SSRI. How are you doing with the s/e? Are you experiencing increased sweating, increased blood pressure (you have to check your blood pressure with Effexor), dizziness, nausea, somnolence, insomnia, ejac disorder, or anything else? Most of all...like Paxil, you need to be aware of discontinuation s/e with Effexor...this is an AD you cant just stop and switch with..if you do...you might experience agitation, anorexia, anxiety, confusion, impaired coordination, fatigue, vertigo, vomiting,dry mouth, nervousness, and the earlier mentioned s/e. If you do try Lexapro...try it without the Buspar 1st to see if you even need it...you might not.
Posted by LostBoyinNC1 on September 1, 2002, at 18:20:45
In reply to what? » LostBoyinNC1, posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:01:10
> > Generic Celexa will be better, cheaper than Lexapro. Why shell out your hard earned cash to Forest Labs for Lexapro and make yourself poorer and Forest Labs richer, when you can just buy generic Celexa?
> >
> > Somethings make absolutely no logic whatsoever. This Lexapro thing is one of them.
> >
> > LostBoyinNC
>
> *** First of all, no generic available til >2005, 2nd...what do you base this on? >Nothing...I didnt think so.WRONG. I base what I say upon solid and basic pharmacology knowledge. Its a hard fact Lexapro is just another SSRI. Its no better than Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox or the currently available Celexa. You know it...I know it. So do most psychiatrists and most of the posters on this board. One SSRI is as good as another SSRI.
Dont let your salesman mentality get in the way of logical thinkng Pharmrep. I realize you want to sell as much Lexapro as poosible...thats your job. You work for Forest Labs. When I read your posts, I think "who is this person who is writing this?" And I realize you are a DRUG SALESMAN for the company that makes Lexapro. DUH. Thus you are going to brag about your drug in order to try to sell more of it.
Lexapro is no more effective than currently available antidepressants, pharmrep.
It comes down to this one, basic simple fact pharmrep. Lexapro is nothing but another "me too" selective serotonin type antidepressant. Thus it is no better than anything else. In fact, its not AS EFFECTIVE as some antidepressants which hit multiple neurotransmitters like high dosage Effexor or the MAOIs.
And actually, yeah tricyclics hit more neurotransmitters than Lexapro.
> If there werent advances in treatment...everybody would still be taking tricyclics...would you rather have that?
Dont try to use emotion to sway people pharmrep. Stick to the hard facts when you make claims about your beloved Lexapro. Lexapro is just another SSRI. Id rather take generic Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil than make your company richer.
Generic Celexa will be here soon enough. 2005 is not that far off...just a few years. Once that happens no insurance company will want to pay for Lexapro, they will want to pay for the generic Celexa. As soon as a drug becomes generic, many insurance companies will ONLY pay for the generic version of the drug.
LostBoyinNC
PS: dont argue with me, you will never win.
Posted by Dinah on September 1, 2002, at 18:28:22
In reply to Re: what?, posted by LostBoyinNC1 on September 1, 2002, at 18:20:45
> Dont let your salesman mentality get in the way of logical thinkng Pharmrep. I realize you want to sell as much Lexapro as poosible...thats your job. You work for Forest Labs. When I read your posts, I think "who is this person who is writing this?" And I realize you are a DRUG SALESMAN for the company that makes Lexapro. DUH. Thus you are going to brag about your drug in order to try to sell more of it.
>
> LostBoyinNC
>
> PS: dont argue with me, you will never win.
>
Lost Boy,
Dinah here again, filling in for Dr. Bob.
Please see my civility warning on the thread below.
I'd like to keep this discussion focused on issues rather than on other posters.
Thank you,
Dinah
Posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:30:40
In reply to Re: Cheap, Generic Celexa » moxy1000, posted by dr. dave on September 1, 2002, at 17:52:45
You site the same studies that have opposite conclusions from what you are saying. The Sanchez study showed that s-citalopram is acutally being inhibited from r-citalopram in the microdialysis study. that 2mg of s-cit/Lexapro was more effective than 4mg of Celexa (2mg of s-cit + 2mg of r-cit). Therefore indicating that the r-cit does not help the racemic mixture at all.....and you said "s-citalopram is all that they realistically had." Did you know that the technology used to separate the isomers is so new that the scientists that invented it won the Nobel prize for chemistry for 2001? Lundbeck and Forest are not sitting and waiting, but being proactive and trying to develop better medicine....why dont you try it instead of being Dr. Theory all the time. Afterall, you are in Europe and have had the opportunity where we in the US have not.
Posted by LostBoyinNC1 on September 1, 2002, at 18:31:37
In reply to what? » LostBoyinNC1, posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:01:10
Once generic Celexa is available, many insurance companies wont want to pay for Lexapro anymore. In fact, my insurance company wont even pay for Celexa right now. Its not formulary on my coverage. Besides, Id prefer to use Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil anyway.
Generics are almost always better. They are cheaper, just as good, just as effective. And furthermore you have the satisfaction of knowing you are not making some asshole drug company richer, while making yourself poorer. We already have generic Prozac, generic Paxil and generic Zoloft are not far off. Then we will have generic Effexor XR. Wellbutrin is already generic.
We dont need anymore SSRIs, the USA already has plenty of them on the market. Before Lexapro we had five SSRIs...Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox and Celexa. Now Lexapro. Thats stupid. Five was plenty. Its time to develop something truly new, novel and improved than more SSRIs.
Furthermore, 2005 will be here before you know it. Generic Celexa is right around the corner.
LostBoyinNC
Posted by LostBoyinNC1 on September 1, 2002, at 18:37:12
In reply to Re: Please be civil » LostBoyinNC1, posted by Dinah on September 1, 2002, at 18:28:22
> > Dont let your salesman mentality get in the way of logical thinkng Pharmrep. I realize you want to sell as much Lexapro as poosible...thats your job. You work for Forest Labs. When I read your posts, I think "who is this person who is writing this?" And I realize you are a DRUG SALESMAN for the company that makes Lexapro. DUH. Thus you are going to brag about your drug in order to try to sell more of it.
> >
> > LostBoyinNC
> >
> > PS: dont argue with me, you will never win.
> >
>
>
> Lost Boy,
>
> Dinah here again, filling in for Dr. Bob.
>
> Please see my civility warning on the thread below.
>
> I'd like to keep this discussion focused on issues rather than on other posters.
>
> Thank you,
> Dinah
I am keeping the discussion on the issues. If you cant see that, you need to learn logic. We have a poster here who is bragging about "Lexapro" making it sound like its God's gift to psychiatry or something. When if you investigate you will find that all it is is another stupid serotonin SSRI antidepressant. I was just pointing out to pharmrep (reminding him) who he is, that when he writes things people should keep in mind who he works for, etc. Thats basic argumentative writing 101 Dinah, it has nothing to do with "being civil."When pharmrep brags about Lexapro, it should be taken with a big grain of salt based upon the fact that its just another SSRI. And the other basic fact that pharmrep works for Forest Labs.
There are many treatment resistant depressives out there who Lexapro wont help them worth squat. The amount of resources that was spent bringing Lexapro to market could have been better spent, in ways that would truly benefit more people.
LostBoyinNC
Posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:39:00
In reply to Re: what?, posted by LostBoyinNC1 on September 1, 2002, at 18:20:45
** I have hard facts....9 positive studies..have you read any of them? I have not "sold" in this forum at all...if you look closely, I am only correcting any misstatements I see, and back them up with studies. If you like one med over another, thats your decision, but Lexapro is hardly a "me too." Get your facts and sources on the table and not just your opinions, then your "arguements" will have more validity.
Posted by Dinah on September 1, 2002, at 18:40:44
In reply to Re: bad logic from Dr. Dave » dr. dave, posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:30:40
> why dont you try it instead of being Dr. Theory all the time. Afterall, you are in Europe and have had the opportunity where we in the US have not.
Dinah here.
Pharmrep, please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down.
I'd like to keep this discussion about ideas rather than about fellow posters.
Here is a link to Dr. Bob's civility guidelines:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
This is a volatile thread with feelings running high on all sides. Please remember to be careful how you phrase your posts (and your subject headings).
I appreciate your cooperation while Dr. Bob is away.
Dinah
Posted by dr. dave on September 1, 2002, at 18:47:56
In reply to Re: bad logic from Dr. Dave » dr. dave, posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:30:40
Just a couple of things. Firstly, I have a duty to be 'Dr Theory'. I need to know and understand research on new drugs and to be able to make out what the results mean. I would expect my doctor to do this. I would want my doctor to think for him- or herself, and I would not appreciate it if they tried new drugs out on me just because they were new, if they weren't convinced they were any better than the established drugs.
Secondly, I deal with the realities of prescribing antidepressants to people every working day, and have done for years. I would like to ask you to please refrain from sarcasm directed towards me - please can we stick to discussing the facts.
> You site the same studies that have opposite conclusions from what you are saying. The Sanchez study showed that s-citalopram is acutally being inhibited from r-citalopram in the microdialysis study. that 2mg of s-cit/Lexapro was more effective than 4mg of Celexa (2mg of s-cit + 2mg of r-cit). Therefore indicating that the r-cit does not help the racemic mixture at all.....and you said "s-citalopram is all that they realistically had." Did you know that the technology used to separate the isomers is so new that the scientists that invented it won the Nobel prize for chemistry for 2001? Lundbeck and Forest are not sitting and waiting, but being proactive and trying to develop better medicine....why dont you try it instead of being Dr. Theory all the time. Afterall, you are in Europe and have had the opportunity where we in the US have not.
Posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:49:08
In reply to Re: Please be civil » pharmrep, posted by Dinah on September 1, 2002, at 18:40:44
> > why dont you try it instead of being Dr. Theory all the time. Afterall, you are in Europe and have had the opportunity where we in the US have not.
>
> Dinah here.
>
> Pharmrep, please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down.
>
> I'd like to keep this discussion about ideas rather than about fellow posters.
>
> Here is a link to Dr. Bob's civility guidelines:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
>
> This is a volatile thread with feelings running high on all sides. Please remember to be careful how you phrase your posts (and your subject headings).
>
> I appreciate your cooperation while Dr. Bob is away.
>
> Dinah*** My bad. I guess I am getting steamed. I have been in PB awhile now...and I was upfront on my "Pharmrep" to be open with everybody. I have the same right as anyone else to be here, and I take extra precautions to be sensitive and not "saleslike" in my posts, and site studies as often as I can. I have received mostly fair posts from others, and although topics get heated, I know we are entitled to our opinions (hopefully that can be based on facts and studies). So I agree...lets turn it down a notch and try to be a little more conscious of our posts and keep it fact-based.
Posted by LostBoyinNC1 on September 1, 2002, at 18:52:08
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects » dr dave, posted by pharmrep on August 31, 2002, at 22:13:49
.
>Stop trying to find a reason why you disagree >with the studies...and be a little more >objective, or better yet...let the folks >here in the US have the chance to decide for >themselves if they want to try Lexapro...since >you arent willing to and have had the chance for >some time now.How about if you try to be more objective pharmrep, instead of telling other depressives who have personally "been there, done that" what the real deal is with SSRIs? You can improve your objectivity by simply publicly admitting that:
1) Lexapro is just another "me too" serotonin SSRI. This is a hard fact, anyone who reads about it can see this for themselves. Its been proven that one SSRI is as good as another SSRI. No SSRI is any better than another.
2) By admitting to yourself and others on here that you are a Forest Labs drug salesman whose job is to sell Lexapro. Its difficult, if not impossible for you to be truly objective because of who you are. You have a conflict of interest. Do you know what a conflict of interest is, pharmrep? Because youve got one.
You have a lot of gaul telling people on here, sick people who have serious medical problems that they should "be objective" when you yourself are about as biased as a person can be. Youre a Lexapro drug salesman for Forest Labs.
LostBoyinNC
Posted by Simcha on September 1, 2002, at 18:53:32
In reply to Re: Generic Celexa Won't Happen: see bottom » Simcha, posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 16:59:45
>*** where do you get your info on Celexa being "knocked off" formulary?
Logic my man. Pure logic. Since Lexapro is supposed to be the "New and Improved Celexa" and it will be priced cheaper than Celexa, insurance companies *WILL* notice and dump Celexa from the formulary. It's simple economics.
>I dont think that will happen...Forest is not trying to have "happy" Celexa patients switch to Lexapro...just those who "need" to for adverse event reasons. And to concur..generic Celexa not in US til late 2005....
Um, I beg to differ. I still see no research that tells me that Lexapro is anything more than just another SSRI. Lexapro is 1/2 of what Celexa is and yes it still would take 20mg of Lexapro to equal 40mg of Celexa. This is my effective dose. The side effect profile for 20mg of Lexapro and 40mg of Celexa are not statistically significant.
>PS Will somebody tell Simcha about Howard Soloman and his story (and his son) so maybe this way Simcha might see Forest in a different light.
Um Forest Labs is soooo very far away from its early days. Now it is no more than any other Drug Giant.
If Forest were really so benificent then they would give up their patent for an allegedly inferior drug (Celexa) so that more patients might at least be able to afford it while introducing the lower-priced Lexapro. Instead we will see insurance companies drop the more expensive version of Forest's drug, Celexa, from their formularies. No, this is a marketing strategy to force Lexapro into market dominance.
>PPS...the above point about waiting til patent out is what GlaxoSmithKline did with Paxil...Paxil CR was approved by FDA 3 years ago, but only came out this year...when the original Paxil expires...the public and Dr's are learning this and are not happy....sorry it happens Simcha...but really...Forest isnt a bad cookie and is trying to do the right thing...by promoting the better med.)Forest is just doing it differently. Please use common sense, economics, and marketing savvy then tell me if their plan is not about forcing Celexa out so that Lexapro will rise to the top.
Posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:55:07
In reply to Re: 'Dr Theory' » pharmrep, posted by dr. dave on September 1, 2002, at 18:47:56
OK Dr Dave...lets just say we agree to disagree...you have one intrepretation to the studies and their conclusions you have read and I tend to agree with the studies. I will say this...I dont like the extra hype on Lexapro...I would rather just be able to give the Dr's I see the studies and samples like all pharmreps do, and let the Dr's decide for themselves...is there a place for this med, will it be able to help some of my patients where other meds dont, and once comfortable maybe new patients can try it as well.
Posted by Dinah on September 1, 2002, at 18:57:55
In reply to Re: Please be civil, posted by LostBoyinNC1 on September 1, 2002, at 18:37:12
> I am keeping the discussion on the issues. If you cant see that, you need to learn logic.
>Thats basic argumentative writing 101 Dinah, it has nothing to do with "being civil."
>Lost Boy, I should have added that further discussion of posting policies should take place at PB Administration. However, I will offer this.
This site is not the place for argumentative writing, Lost Boy. It is designed for support and education. Education can be offered in ways that are not argumentative, and on this site it must be offered in non-argumentative ways, or the site cannot fulfill its supportive function.
As I said below, I hope you choose to stay and follow the civility guidelines so that you will be able to continue to offer education.
Also, for future reference, the civility guidelines also apply to comments addressed to me.
Any further discussion of posting policies or administrative matters should be directed to PB Administration.
Dinah
Posted by Dinah on September 1, 2002, at 19:03:28
In reply to Re: Lexapro side-effects, posted by LostBoyinNC1 on September 1, 2002, at 18:52:08
>
> You have a lot of gaul telling people on here, sick people who have serious medical problems that they should "be objective" when you yourself are about as biased as a person can be. Youre a Lexapro drug salesman for Forest Labs.
>
> LostBoyinNC
Sorry, Lost Boy. I asked you before to be civil, so I have had to block you from posting for one week.
Posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 19:08:40
In reply to Re: Generic Celexa Won't Happen: Simple Economics » pharmrep, posted by Simcha on September 1, 2002, at 18:53:32
> >*** where do you get your info on Celexa being "knocked off" formulary?
>
> Logic my man. Pure logic. Since Lexapro is supposed to be the "New and Improved Celexa" and it will be priced cheaper than Celexa, insurance companies *WILL* notice and dump Celexa from the formulary. It's simple economics.
>
> >I dont think that will happen...Forest is not trying to have "happy" Celexa patients switch to Lexapro...just those who "need" to for adverse event reasons. And to concur..generic Celexa not in US til late 2005....
>
> Um, I beg to differ. I still see no research that tells me that Lexapro is anything more than just another SSRI. Lexapro is 1/2 of what Celexa is and yes it still would take 20mg of Lexapro to equal 40mg of Celexa. This is my effective dose. The side effect profile for 20mg of Lexapro and 40mg of Celexa are not statistically significant.
>
> >PS Will somebody tell Simcha about Howard Soloman and his story (and his son) so maybe this way Simcha might see Forest in a different light.
>
> Um Forest Labs is soooo very far away from its early days. Now it is no more than any other Drug Giant.
>
> If Forest were really so benificent then they would give up their patent for an allegedly inferior drug (Celexa) so that more patients might at least be able to afford it while introducing the lower-priced Lexapro. Instead we will see insurance companies drop the more expensive version of Forest's drug, Celexa, from their formularies. No, this is a marketing strategy to force Lexapro into market dominance.
>
>
> >PPS...the above point about waiting til patent out is what GlaxoSmithKline did with Paxil...Paxil CR was approved by FDA 3 years ago, but only came out this year...when the original Paxil expires...the public and Dr's are learning this and are not happy....sorry it happens Simcha...but really...Forest isnt a bad cookie and is trying to do the right thing...by promoting the better med.)
>
> Forest is just doing it differently. Please use common sense, economics, and marketing savvy then tell me if their plan is not about forcing Celexa out so that Lexapro will rise to the top.****Do you know how managed care works? Just because Lexapro is less than Celexa, doesnt mean Celexa will get bumped off formulary. They will both be high on the formularies ahead of other AD's. Forest is not trying to "remove" Celexa. And there is a lot more to Lexapro than being "1/2 of Celexa" in fact if you are on 40mg of Celexa...then 10mg of Lexapro would be the equivalent..not 20mg. Do you have access to any of the studies? If not...keep checking the posts (or web)...they are out there. And "doing it differently" is the right thing to do...bring the better med to the public if thats what it is.
Posted by winger on September 1, 2002, at 19:34:32
In reply to Re: sex. s/e (let's try this one more time -newby) » Winger, posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:19:09
I have had some side effects with the effexor.. flushing, some sexual side effects although nothing major - thougth at higher doses I got the jitters and lots of physical side effects like shakes and spasams much like what you read about with the serotonin syndrome... BP seems fine so far though that is a concern of mine as high BP runs in my familly. As to withdrawal.. I tried Paxil a long time ago, when I first started having anxiety problems, and had terrible agitation and nervousness from it.. I didn't have a psych doctor then, and decided to just stop it.. The funny thing is, I felt Terrific for a week or two.. the most relaxed and in control I have been in years... I guess I was still getting the serotonin effects of the medication without the side effects, and had absolutely no withdrawal other than that.. my doctor was amazed.. same for the zoloft..
the Buspar was bad though... I lost about thirty pounds and years off my life getting off that medication!! But it wasn't as bad with the zoloft...And I would definitely try the Lexapro sans Buspar first..! it's just something I read in a study and was curious about.. I definitely will avoid that drug if possible.. It's also funny, the Buspar is supposed to take a long time to start working, but it helped me almost immediately..
I also know about the fact that at the dose I'm taking, Effexor really just an SSRI, that's one reason I want to try another SSRi .. at higher doses of Effexor, I can't take it... it's like speed to me....
Just goes to show how different all of us are!!
This is really all just one big experiment on all of us.. but it's one of the only shots we have short of doping up on the benzo drugs... or joining a tibetin monastery!!! :)
You sound like you know your stuff... at least you are giving reasonable info to people...!
It's all about what works for the individual, and about taking it slow and getting a doctor that will work with you and help you along...
no quick fix for any of this sad to say!!
I really think our modern lifestyle is the ultimate culprit - especially in our formative years.. but I'm not ready to chuck it all just yet
Ciao!!
Dave
> ** No joke...sexual s/e can be tough with SSRI's...I know it is a tough trade for some...treating the depressive componants vs sex s/e. I have heard of the buspar..and others like wellbutrin added on to SSRI's. It seems that your dose can be low enough for you and that the AD still works. Effexor is usually an SNRI, but at doses below 150 it is still an SSRI. How are you doing with the s/e? Are you experiencing increased sweating, increased blood pressure (you have to check your blood pressure with Effexor), dizziness, nausea, somnolence, insomnia, ejac disorder, or anything else? Most of all...like Paxil, you need to be aware of discontinuation s/e with Effexor...this is an AD you cant just stop and switch with..if you do...you might experience agitation, anorexia, anxiety, confusion, impaired coordination, fatigue, vertigo, vomiting,dry mouth, nervousness, and the earlier mentioned s/e. If you do try Lexapro...try it without the Buspar 1st to see if you even need it...you might not.
Posted by Simcha on September 1, 2002, at 20:28:59
In reply to Re: Simple Economics? » Simcha, posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 19:08:40
>****Do you know how managed care works? Just because Lexapro is less than Celexa, doesnt mean Celexa will get bumped off formulary. They will both be high on the formularies ahead of other AD's.
Yes, I've had many HMOs and I know how they work. I have a cousin in that business. The HMOs are heartless entities who don't really care about what you really need. All they want to do is "control costs" so that profit is maximized.
>Forest is not trying to "remove" Celexa. And there is a lot more to Lexapro than being "1/2 of Celexa" in fact if you are on 40mg of Celexa...then 10mg of Lexapro would be the equivalent..not 20mg.
Actually I've read extensively about Escitalopram for years. I've been watching its arrival. All the studies I know say that I'd need 20mg to equal 40mg of Celexa.
>Do you have access to any of the studies? If not...keep checking the posts (or web)...they are out there. And "doing it differently" is the right thing to do...bring the better med to the public if thats what it is.
No, they are doing the same underhanded game of economics that other drug companies play just differently. Mark my words. HMOs will eliminate Celexa from their formularies once they see that Lexapro is cheaper. All they really care about is cost.
I still have yet to see a study that proves that Lexapro is a better med than Celexa. That trial will really come once it gets prescribed for years. I'm not willing to jump into this experiment quite yet.
Still Sceptical,
Simcha
Posted by pharmrep on September 2, 2002, at 1:49:45
In reply to Re: Simple Economics?, posted by Simcha on September 1, 2002, at 20:28:59
> >****Do you know how managed care works? Just because Lexapro is less than Celexa, doesnt mean Celexa will get bumped off formulary. They will both be high on the formularies ahead of other AD's.
>
> Yes, I've had many HMOs and I know how they work. I have a cousin in that business. The HMOs are heartless entities who don't really care about what you really need. All they want to do is "control costs" so that profit is maximized.
>
> >Forest is not trying to "remove" Celexa. And there is a lot more to Lexapro than being "1/2 of Celexa" in fact if you are on 40mg of Celexa...then 10mg of Lexapro would be the equivalent..not 20mg.
>
> Actually I've read extensively about Escitalopram for years. I've been watching its arrival. All the studies I know say that I'd need 20mg to equal 40mg of Celexa.
>
> >Do you have access to any of the studies? If not...keep checking the posts (or web)...they are out there. And "doing it differently" is the right thing to do...bring the better med to the public if thats what it is.
>
> No, they are doing the same underhanded game of economics that other drug companies play just differently. Mark my words. HMOs will eliminate Celexa from their formularies once they see that Lexapro is cheaper. All they really care about is cost.
I still have yet to see a study that proves that Lexapro is a better med than Celexa. That trial will really come once it gets prescribed for years. I'm not willing to jump into this experiment quite yet.
>
> Still Sceptical,
> Simcha** I'm not sure what studies you've read, but in just the last year or so...9 have come out in the US. Have you seen anything from Jack Gorman, William Burke, C. Sanchez (microdialysis), Lydiard, or Greenblatt? These are the most recent, and ones the FDA used to approve in the US. They all show different mg's of both drugs, but I assure you, 10mg of Lexapro (the lowest dose) is "at least as effective as" 40mg of Celexa (The higher titrated dose)...taking 20mg of Lexapro is too much to start...besides, I thought you said you liked Celexa...why switch?
PS........Why would Celexa get bumped...it will be #3 in price behind only generic Prozac and Lexapro? I still dont think it will get bumped.
Posted by selena on September 2, 2002, at 2:04:41
In reply to Ok, posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:55:07
pharmrep I think your information is very informative thank you for giving it. The more information the better, we can all look around the internet for a counterpoint if we want to, yours is just information like any other. thanks again
Posted by oracle on September 2, 2002, at 3:06:15
In reply to Re: Blocked for one week » LostBoyinNC1, posted by Dinah on September 1, 2002, at 19:03:28
> Sorry, Lost Boy. I asked you before to be civil, so I have had to block you from posting for one week.
This will be the 3-4th time he has been blocked, I think he is due for more than 1 week
Posted by oracle on September 2, 2002, at 4:01:17
In reply to Cheap, Generic Celexa, posted by moxy1000 on September 1, 2002, at 14:14:07
> So why is Lexapro being released here? It has been said that it is "basically the same as Celexa." Why would a company introduce a drug that is effectively the same as a drug they have three years left to make money off of?
Simple, more slices of the pie mean more money.
In general everyone rushes to the latest, so they will have 2 patents in force at the same time for the same chemical (an isomer). While it may seem that it would be better to release Lexapro when Celexa's patent runs out, I don't think it works this way. Having both patents in force means they see the profits sooner. It should take at least 2 years for the general population to indicate yea or nay on this one.
It is also a BIG leap to say they are doing this because Lexapro is better; this is about profit.
And, in truth, it should be ! Don't expect business to be run any way else, or they are doomed to fail.
Posted by pharmrep on September 2, 2002, at 9:49:55
In reply to Re: Cheap, Generic Celexa, posted by oracle on September 2, 2002, at 4:01:17
> Why would a company introduce a drug that is effectively the same as a drug they have three years left to make money off of?
>
> Simple, more slices of the pie mean more money.
> In general everyone rushes to the latest, so they will have 2 patents in force at the same time for the same chemical (an isomer). While it may seem that it would be better to release Lexapro when Celexa's patent runs out, I don't think it works this way. Having both patents in force means they see the profits sooner. It should take at least 2 years for the general population to indicate yea or nay on this one.
> It is also a BIG leap to say they are doing this because Lexapro is better; this is about profit.
> And, in truth, it should be ! Don't expect business to be run any way else, or they are doomed to fail.
>
>***Actually...it should take about about 6-12 months...not 2+ years for Lexapro to prove itself. And how does a Pharm Co. just go about "saying" (Product-X) is better without having any facts...that would fly real well with the competition and public right....Forest would get killed if it hung its hat on unfounded claims. I agree that this is a business...of course we make money and earn decent livings, but what's wrong with that? Don't you too? Just because this is in medicine doesnt make it impossible to make a good "business" decision and an ethical morally based move at the same time.
Posted by Geezer on September 2, 2002, at 11:48:31
In reply to Re: Cheap, Generic Celexa, posted by oracle on September 2, 2002, at 4:01:17
Good point Oracle. I wish there was more incentive for the drug companies to develope NEW and improved drugs. At present this is not possible due to the "jack-boot bureaucrats" at the FDA (the federal government is far less altruistic than the drug companies).
So what are the alternatives? We could turn the whole matter over to the liberal/socialists who would in turn burden us with national health care (more taxes, less health care and the loss of liberty). I can think of a few (not all) of the possible improvments. Establish a regulatory agency in the private sector (get rid of the FDA). Show us a 50% reduction in taxes so we could contract for our own health care. One thing the government could do is put a cap on judgements and some additional controls on tort lawyers.
Just some thoughts - thanks for the post.
Geezer
Posted by pharmrep on September 2, 2002, at 12:03:50
In reply to Re: Cheap, Generic Celexa, posted by Geezer on September 2, 2002, at 11:48:31
> Good point Oracle. I wish there was more incentive for the drug companies to develope NEW and improved drugs. At present this is not possible due to the "jack-boot bureaucrats" at the FDA (the federal government is far less altruistic than the drug companies).
>
> So what are the alternatives? We could turn the whole matter over to the liberal/socialists who would in turn burden us with national health care (more taxes, less health care and the loss of liberty). I can think of a few (not all) of the possible improvments. Establish a regulatory agency in the private sector (get rid of the FDA). Show us a 50% reduction in taxes so we could contract for our own health care. One thing the government could do is put a cap on judgements and some additional controls on tort lawyers.
>
> Just some thoughts - thanks for the post.
>
> Geezer** you two are funny...if you want to be in dreamland..why not just eliminate taxes altogether?
PS Lexapro is improved over Celexa...the incentive was that the FDA encourages the idea of isomer science and any possibility of a drug to be "cleaned up" and show data of improvement gets the FDA's attention...the Citalopram mixture was just lucky enough to be able to do this successfully...not all drugs lend themselves to be able to be "cleaner." For example, Paxil and Zoloft are already the isomers, Effexor cant,and Prozac tried twice but it didnt help (it actually hurt.)
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