Due to insurance changes at my job I had to switch medications -- I was on Lexapro and my doctor switched me to Citalopram instead. My doctor advised me to finish my Lexapro and then immediately start taking the Citalopram but then the pharmacist said to take half my regular dose on Lexapro as well as the Citalopram to reduce withdrawal from Lexapro. But I read online since they're kind of the same formula, that they shouldn't be taken together. So I called my doctor back and he said I could do as the pharmacist suggests if I wanted.
How has anyone else switched medications in the past. I feel like the medical field is just using me as a guinea pig but I don't want to put my health at risk.
2007-03-15 10:42:38 · 4 answers · asked by SnakeCharmer 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
in switching from Lexapro to citalopram there is no need for tapering off one and tapering up the other.
Imagine a garbage sack filled with identical gloves. Half would be left handed, half would be right handed. It is the same way with chemicals. There lare left-handed versions and right-handed versions. The mixture of both is what citalopram is. Lexapro is just the left-handed molecules.
So.......half of every citalopram tablet IS Leaxpro. The other half is "Dexapro".
In my opinion, just switch over.
2007-03-15 18:21:28 · answer #1 · answered by jloertscher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right, Lexapro and Celexa (citalopram) are very similar. When I have switched antidepressants, I have often been on two at once for a short period of time. When I switched from Wellbutrin & Lexapro to just Cymbalta, I was on all three for a short time while I got used to the new one and tapered off the old ones. You were right to call your doctor and check about what the pharmacist had told you to do. Always better to be safe than sorry, but I am sure you will be just fine! Good luck!
2007-03-15 10:50:25 · answer #2 · answered by ppaper.wingss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several ways to switch anti-depressants. Both ways mentioned are fine. I prefer taking half of each for a period. The difference between Lexapro and Citalopram is that Lexapro is a metabolite of citalopram. If you take citalopram, and take a blood sample, you will find lexapro in your blood.
2007-03-15 11:02:18 · answer #3 · answered by Lea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always do what the Pharmacist says they are the expert in drugs not the Dr.
2007-03-15 10:50:27 · answer #4 · answered by Kat 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋