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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by crazyjoe on July 19, 2011, at 22:48:27
is it fair to say that 10mg of lexapro is 20mg of celexa---and 20mg of lexapro is 40 mg of celexa
Posted by JONO_IN_ADELAIDE on July 20, 2011, at 1:26:29
In reply to celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by crazyjoe on July 19, 2011, at 22:48:27
Yes but no - thats the usualy conversion, but it is also acknoweleged that lexapro can be more effective than celexa.
Posted by SLS on July 20, 2011, at 6:50:17
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by JONO_IN_ADELAIDE on July 20, 2011, at 1:26:29
> > is it fair to say that 10mg of lexapro is 20mg of celexa---and 20mg of lexapro is 40 mg of celexa
> Yes but no - thats the usualy conversion, but it is also acknoweleged that lexapro can be more effective than celexa.
I think this is a fair statement. Many biological studies demonstrate that for racemic (combination) Celexa, one enantiomer (single stereo-isotope) of Celexa can actually reduce the effectiveness of the other enantiomer, which is known as Lexapro. In a way, Lexapro is a purified Celexa, and has become more popular as a first-line treatment.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on July 20, 2011, at 10:51:28
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by SLS on July 20, 2011, at 6:50:17
My husband read this and said it means if you take both together it will be less effective together than by by themselves. I think not but is this true? I feel that lexapro is cleaner and more stimulating. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on July 20, 2011, at 14:06:08
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by SLS on July 20, 2011, at 6:50:17
Many (industry sponsored) studies indicate that lexapro is more effective than celexa.
Linkadge
Posted by crazyjoe on July 20, 2011, at 19:08:57
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by linkadge on July 20, 2011, at 14:06:08
could celexa possibly make you calmer because i believe it works on histamine wheras i don't think lexapro does
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 21, 2011, at 6:40:31
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by crazyjoe on July 20, 2011, at 19:08:57
I dont think citralopram works on the histamine receptors to any significant degree, its a pretty clean drug.
if you want somthing that works on the histamine receptors to calm you, try 50mg. of diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Posted by SLS on July 21, 2011, at 7:34:26
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 21, 2011, at 6:40:31
> I dont think citralopram works on the histamine receptors to any significant degree, its a pretty clean drug.
>
> if you want somthing that works on the histamine receptors to calm you, try 50mg. of diphenhydramine (Benadryl)Or perhaps doxepin if depression is evident.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on July 21, 2011, at 12:05:07
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency » jono_in_adelaide, posted by SLS on July 21, 2011, at 7:34:26
citalopram does have affinity for h1 and 5-ht2c receptors (although at a relatively low affinity). Of note however, citalopram has more affinity for the sigma-1 receptors than does escitalopram.
Linkadge
Posted by crazyjoe on July 21, 2011, at 13:59:47
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by linkadge on July 21, 2011, at 12:05:07
would that make celexa similiar in some ways to luvox?
Posted by linkadge on July 21, 2011, at 16:16:11
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by linkadge on July 21, 2011, at 12:05:07
Luvox has the highest affinity for sigma-1 of all the SSRIs, probably twice as potent on a mg/mg basis than citalopram. But, because luvox is used at much higher concentrations this would make it somewhat stronger at sigma
Linkadge
Posted by Chris O on July 21, 2011, at 16:51:00
In reply to celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by crazyjoe on July 19, 2011, at 22:48:27
> is it fair to say that 10mg of lexapro is 20mg of celexa---and 20mg of lexapro is 40 mg of celexa <
I thought it was a 4:1 to one equivalency, with Lexapro supposedly being on the four side. Regardless, when I took Celexa for one year back in 2000, it worked for me. (I think my dosage was only 10mg a day.) However, when I took Lexapro for one year back in 2005 (40mg/day), it did nothing for me. I did not get any antidepressant or antianxiety effect. So, go figure with these dang meds!
Posted by crazyjoe on July 21, 2011, at 22:07:26
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency » crazyjoe, posted by Chris O on July 21, 2011, at 16:51:00
just curious how did you get a script for 40 mg of lexapro-----my dr couldn't go higher because insurance would only cover up to 20
Posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2011, at 22:33:51
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by linkadge on July 21, 2011, at 16:16:11
Link so these sigmi 1 receptors is that why I can't get off the 50mg of luvox and other ad with no side effects at all? Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on July 22, 2011, at 1:43:24
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by crazyjoe on July 21, 2011, at 22:07:26
"insurance will only cover up to 20"
Wow, that's interesting. I didn't even know that insurance companies could determine the amount of antidepressants that could be given, but it figures. So, I don't know if my insurance company (my wife's actually, as I don't have my own insurance right now) has this "rule," but if it does, I've never been notified. Anyway, my anxiety disorder is very bad, so I've just been going for the higher end dosage of many of the SSRIs/SNRIs over the past three years. I've been on daily doses of 75-100mg of Paxil, 300mg of Luvox, 80-100mg of Prozac, and 1200mg of Serzone. None of them have done much of anything for me. I'm thinking of starting Nardil next, but a bit iffy on that at the moment.
Posted by SLS on July 22, 2011, at 6:35:35
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by crazyjoe on July 21, 2011, at 22:07:26
> just curious how did you get a script for 40 mg of lexapro-----my dr couldn't go higher because insurance would only cover up to 20
That is despicable.
Insurance companies are playing doctor more and more these days.
Have your doctor call the insurance company. Provide him with as much information as you can, including phone numbers, account numbers, claim number, etc. It will be considered a pre-authorization request.
Good luck. Some people don't respond to anything less than 40mg.
- Scott
Posted by crazyjoe on July 22, 2011, at 21:47:13
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency » crazyjoe, posted by SLS on July 22, 2011, at 6:35:35
maybe it worked out for the better as i am feeling very good on 20 mg of celexa and because it is generic there isn't a cap on a certain amount i could probably go to 60 or 80 if need be because it is no longer a brand drug..i have a feeling its going to work better and so far no nasty start up side effects as with luvox
Posted by morgan miller on July 23, 2011, at 16:43:00
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by crazyjoe on July 22, 2011, at 21:47:13
That's great! Glad to hear you're responding well to treatment.
Morgan
Posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2011, at 19:36:02
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by crazyjoe on July 22, 2011, at 21:47:13
Glad it's working for you. Wierd the only ad no side effects irreguardless of dose up to 250mg was luvox? Well we are all different. Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on July 24, 2011, at 10:59:39
In reply to Re: celexa/lexapro equivalency, posted by crazyjoe on July 22, 2011, at 21:47:13
> maybe it worked out for the better as i am feeling very good on 20 mg of celexa and because it is generic there isn't a cap on a certain amount i could probably go to 60 or 80 if need be because it is no longer a brand drug..i have a feeling its going to work better and so far no nasty start up side effects as with luvox<
I third that! It's good that Celexa is working for you! It worked for me for a year. Helped immensely. Perhaps it's something I should try again before going down the Nardil road.
This is the end of the thread.
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