I found my old prescription of Celexa and need some help here...?

Question

I haven't taken anything similar for almost 6 months, but my anxiety is coming back, So I found this bottle with 40 mg pills, in it. When I started, I remember taking 20mg at first my doctor said, and then to move to 40mg after a week.

Well I took a 40mg today and was just wondering if this can hurt me. Because I plan on taking another tomorrow and so on until the script is almost done and then going back to me doctor to get prescribed it again.

Answer 1

NO, it won't hurt you, but cut back to 20mg/day for now.

But, don't wait go back to the doctor as soon as possible and cut your daily dose down to 20 mg until you have their approval to increase it back to 40 mg because that is the maximum adult dosage. If you plan on going back on the drug then you can wait a few days and fill the prescription then keep using your old supply until your run out of the drug and start taking the new stock. You want to keep the doctor informed of exactly what you are doing and what dosages you are at.

Your doctor is the leader of your medical treatment team, but you are a valuable leader and if you doctor can't trust you with your medication then you will have problems. I am always very careful to keep my doctors informed of all my drugs prescription or not that I take, when and at what dosage. I assemble a 2 weeks supply for my morning, noon, and evening drugs. I then take them like clockwork. My doctors know they can trust me with my medication.

Going to see a doctor can be frustrating and it could make you anxious. Before I go to a doctor I sit down at my Word Processor and type up a note. I keep it short 1/2-1 page and I include a complete list of my drugs. Even if they all come from the same medical source because the most common mistaken medical deaths are due to medication. In my note I give them my history since the last visit, as it pertains to my medical condition, then I bring up things I want to talk about. I have suggested medications and asked to be changed to other medications. The doctors (well over 100 of them over the years) have always taken my letters seriously. Several have thanked me because they gave them most of the information they need and cover all my thoughts and desires.

You only have 15 minutes with your doctor and you have a lot to cover and to learn. I never walk out of a meeting thinking, "Oh, I wish I told him...." I also have a copy of my note on the computer in case I need to know when the last visit was and what was done. If there is a change in my medication then it will be recorded on the next note so I know exactly when it was changed.

YOU are the key to your health, especially with a problem like yours (or mine). You have to show the doctor that you are not only interested in your medical condition, but that you want to be involved in your treatment, you are willing to work to get better, and you are approaching this in a serious and thought out manner. My notes and my attitude go a long way to showing this. So many patients come to them and effectively say, "Doctor I am sick and you have to heal me." They put all their faith in the doctor and want him to do all the work. This doesn't work, except for the most simple of problems.

I have never personally taken Celexa, but I have taken the close cousins Zoloft and Prosaic and I currently am taking Seroquel. All four of these drugs are Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors.

Serotonin is one of several neurotransmitters used in your nerves and your brain. If you have a deficiency of Serotonin then it can cause some problems. A Serotonin Uptake Inhibitor reduces the amount of Serotonin that is taken in by your brain cells making more available for your brain to use. Ecstasy causes a flood of Serotonin to hit your brain so if you take it with Celxea it will be very dangerous for you (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin).

Exactly what the jockeying in Serotonin levels does to your brain chemistry is hard to say or understand, but you may need more of it, or maybe too much of it is being absorbed by your brain cells. If you read the article, I cited, and if you click on my Avatar to read my profile then you will see our problems are different, but I understand your concerns about your medication.

Answer 2

I would suggest you go back to what your doctor originally prescribed since its been 6 months since you taken them. Start with the 20 and continue with 40 after a week. I would also just give your doctor a call and ask what he recommends you do until your apt with him. I don't know if there are any adverse affects of starting out on 40 mg could be. But its better to be under your doctors advice before proceeding with a dramatic increase right away.

Answer 3

I'm taking medication that's four years old from a dead psychiatrist, lol It still works. Medication lasts a long, long time. Big pharma companies used to send expired medication to Africa before people complained about the "optics" of it.

Just so you know, Forest Labatories, the company that made Celexa no longer makes it under that name. Its lexapro now and the doses will be different. 20 mg of Celexa equals 10 mg of lexapro. Lexapro is almost exactly the same as Celexa except its made purer with less side effects. Ask your doctor or go to the company website.

Answer 4

Those pills might have no effect at all. What is the expiration date on the bottle? This anti-depression drug could have become less effective over the past 6 months. You really need to go see your doctor as soon as you can.

Answer 5

You should discard the prescription and go get a new one from the doctor because your not suppose to use unused drugs.

Answer 6

That's dumb anti depressants and anti psychotics can be as harmful as helpful I sure would not be playing Dr go see or call your Dr.. should always throw out old meds anyway

Answer 7

good news my doctor said if it,s under one year you can use the pills or the medicine, take some now if you are still up.

Answer 8

it's probably fine, but why not begin with the 20 mg again until your body gets used to it again?

Answer 9

When in doubt, talk to your doctor. Don't self medicate yourself with any mood altering drug.

Answer 10

see doctor those pills are no longer "prescribed"