[ReddSN]

My doc gave me some new meds today since my anxiety/depression etc is worsening again. About 6 months ago I was on Celexa and I stopped it, I had bad side effects, couldn't concentrate, and I felt trapped in my own body. (Still had all my feelings but couldn't express any extremes, like I couldn't cry even though I felt like it)

I see that Lexapro is very similar to Celexa and I'm worried about the results. Has anyone been on both and maybe have some experiences to share?

[Catcupcake]

Hi I've taken both celexa and lexapro. It's my understanding that they are very similar, only perhaps a molecule different in their structure.
I found the lexapro to work just as quickly as celexa did for me, but with far fewer side effects. I've been very happy with my results on lexapro, even though now after over a decade on it, I'm looking to stop taking it.

One of my reasons for wanting to stop the lexapro is that I'm not able to express or "feel" my feelings any more. That was great when I was so horribly depressed, but I am not depressed any more, and I want to go back to being "normal".
Since lexapro and celexa are so very similar, I'm curious why your doc is recommending the lexapro. Does he/she know about the problems you had with celexa? You might want to try something like effexor or wellbutrin. they help with anxiety and depression too but work slightly differently.

[ReddSN]

I'm not sure why he thought the Lexapro was a good idea. It wasn't my usual doc as mine is on holiday. He's just a GP, so maybe that is something to do with it. His comment was something along the lines of "like Celexa but better" and he implied no side effects. I guess I'll see.

[Odee]

Lexapro pretty much is celexa, just a little change in the molecule. Lexapro was created as Celexa lost its patent and thus could be manufactured in generic. Lexapro just recently became available a generic and is still a very expensive anti-depressant.

Excuse my cynicism, but Lexapro seems like one big greedy, money-grabbing ruse to me. Drug reps effectively sold lexapro as some sort of holy AD. :\

Chances are, you are going to have the same experience but with a thinner wallet.

[ReddSN]

Originally Posted by Odee

Lexapro pretty much is celexa, just a little change in the molecule. Lexapro was created as Celexa lost its patent and thus could be manufactured in generic. Lexapro just recently became available a generic and is still a very expensive anti-depressant.

Excuse my cynicism, but Lexapro seems like one big greedy, money-grabbing ruse to me. Drug reps effectively sold lexapro as some sort of holy AD. :\

Chances are, you are going to have the same experience but with a thinner wallet.

For now I was given a few sample packs and didn't have to pay a thing, so for now I'm not complaining. By the time they are done ill know if they work and if it is making a difference in my life, I'll gladly pay for it.

[Odee]

Originally Posted by ReddSN

For now I was given a few sample packs and didn't have to pay a thing, so for now I'm not complaining. By the time they are done ill know if they work and if it is making a difference in my life, I'll gladly pay for it.

That works then. Hope you get to prove me wrong.

[sewerrats]

Celexa made me nasty tempered so the wife said Lexapro don't, my shrink at the NHS hospital said they were both the same but in a different box. ?????? but that's because he wasn't aloud to script it because it was more money. So I went to my GP practice and they gave it me. I think it better than citalopram but it makes me fat.