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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lettie on January 25, 2001, at 19:50:51
Due to insurance, I have to go off Celexa. My doctor recommends Prozac.
He says that I should go off Celexa for 4 days before I start the Prozac.
Does this sound right? He also says I won't have any problems going off
the Celexa. Does this sound right? Lastly, what are the side
effects of Prozac? Thanks
Posted by JohnL on January 26, 2001, at 2:23:37
In reply to Going from Celexa to Prozac, posted by lettie on January 25, 2001, at 19:50:51
> Due to insurance, I have to go off Celexa. My doctor recommends Prozac.
> He says that I should go off Celexa for 4 days before I start the Prozac.
> Does this sound right? He also says I won't have any problems going off
> the Celexa. Does this sound right? Lastly, what are the side
> effects of Prozac? ThanksHi,
If you asked ten different doctors, you would probably get 10 different approaches to dealing with this switch. But here's my 2 cents worth.I think the 4 days washout is unneccesary. You could start Prozac immediately after stopping Celexa, or even overlap them. The danger with this is serotonin syndrome. To avoid that, both the Celexa and Prozac doses should be small. You can custom tailor the Prozac dose by dumping the contents of a capsule into juice. Stir and drink a custom size dose, save the rest in the fridge. Stir each time. In any case, I think 4 drugless days is a waste of time. You can jump right from one to the other without any problem if you do it responsibly.
Question about insurance though...why do you have to stop Celexa? Was it working? Did you like it? I don't understand how insurance could make you stop. If it's because you have to pay cash, all of these meds are fairly expensive in the USA (MUCH better prices from overseas mailorder pharmacies--and no prescription needed).
The doc says you won't have any problem getting off Celexa? They all say that. Maybe you will and maybe you won't. We'll see. I think they like to tell us the rosiest scenario because they hope we'll believe it and it will come true.
Prozac side effects, in my opinion, are pretty mild compared to other SSRIs. There is some decrease of appetite, a little stimulation, maybe some anxiety or nervousness, difficulty sleeping. You may or may not experience any of these, but they are some of the more common side effects. I have found that Prozac has most of its side effects in the first week, but after that they become so mild you can't even tell you're taking anything.
John
Posted by lettie on January 28, 2001, at 20:58:06
In reply to Re: Going from Celexa to Prozac, posted by JohnL on January 26, 2001, at 2:23:37
> > Due to insurance, I have to go off Celexa. My doctor recommends Prozac.
> > He says that I should go off Celexa for 4 days before I start the Prozac.
> > Does this sound right? He also says I won't have any problems going off
> > the Celexa. Does this sound right? Lastly, what are the side
> > effects of Prozac? Thanks
>
> Hi,
> If you asked ten different doctors, you would probably get 10 different approaches to dealing with this switch. But here's my 2 cents worth.
>
> I think the 4 days washout is unneccesary. You could start Prozac immediately after stopping Celexa, or even overlap them. The danger with this is serotonin syndrome. To avoid that, both the Celexa and Prozac doses should be small. You can custom tailor the Prozac dose by dumping the contents of a capsule into juice. Stir and drink a custom size dose, save the rest in the fridge. Stir each time. In any case, I think 4 drugless days is a waste of time. You can jump right from one to the other without any problem if you do it responsibly.
>
> Question about insurance though...why do you have to stop Celexa? Was it working? Did you like it? I don't understand how insurance could make you stop. If it's because you have to pay cash, all of these meds are fairly expensive in the USA (MUCH better prices from overseas mailorder pharmacies--and no prescription needed).
>
> The doc says you won't have any problem getting off Celexa? They all say that. Maybe you will and maybe you won't. We'll see. I think they like to tell us the rosiest scenario because they hope we'll believe it and it will come true.
>
> Prozac side effects, in my opinion, are pretty mild compared to other SSRIs. There is some decrease of appetite, a little stimulation, maybe some anxiety or nervousness, difficulty sleeping. You may or may not experience any of these, but they are some of the more common side effects. I have found that Prozac has most of its side effects in the first week, but after that they become so mild you can't even tell you're taking anything.
> John
I have a new insurance company and it doesn't cover Celexa (of course). I've been off
it for 2 days and am having a LOT of problems. I can't think, I'm dizzy, my husband says I'm
out of control and he can't wait until I start my new meds. To
me this is major because he thinks all my depressions is B.S.
Either way, I'm too nervous to start the Prozac until the Doctor
says its O.k. I don't need anymore problems!!!
This is the end of the thread.
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