Citalopram or Paroxetine?

Question

I have a wee social anxiety disorder and my doc has prescribed me Paroxetine. Has anyone out there been on both or either of these? Are they any good? Which is better for this kind of disorder?

Answer 1

Paxil (paroxetine) and Celexa (citalopram) are both SSRI's, and work identically in theory. There is little reason to believe that either is more effective overall than the other for anxiety or depression. On the other hand, an individual may respond to one but not the other--there is no way currently to predict this, however. To a first degree, 70% of people with certain types of depression will respond to any given medication with a 50% improvement, and 50-70% of people with certain types of anxiety will respond to any given medication with a 30-50% improvement, including social phobia (the title "social anxiety disorder" is being phased out).

The argument for using Celexa is that Paxil has some problems with medication interactions, weight gain, dry mouth, constipation and sedation. True, these problems are still very minor with Paxil, but they are even more minor with Celexa.

The argument for using Paxil is that it has a longer track record and there have been more studies using Paxil on anxiety than Celexa. However, by this point in time, most physicians believe all SSRI's are expected to have similar benefits.

in the end, there's not much to decide between trying either one of them. If you want to do your darndest to avoid ANY side effects, there is a thin argument to try Celexa first, but it's not a huge difference either way. Your mileage, however, may vary, and there is unfortunately no way to predict this.

Do not forget to ask your doctor about NON-medication treatments as well. Psychotherapy, behavioral therapy/biofeedback, and even massage and acupuncture all have been suggested as non-medication treatments for anxiety, with similar effects to medication. Obviously, if you can use more than one treatment type, your odds of feeling better are going to improve.

Answer 2

Paroxetine is better known in the UK at Seroxat. It has potentially lethal side effects and the first few months/weeks on the drug can be agonising (been there!). Citalopram was far easier to work with, but Prozac was by far the best of the bunch.

Answer 3

Citalopram is used to treat depression. Citalopram is in a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
Paroxetine tablets, suspension (liquid), and extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used to treat depression, panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Paroxetine tablets and oral solution are also used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), generalized anxiety disorder (excessive worrying that is difficult to control), and posttraumatic stress disorder (disturbing psychological symptoms that develop after a frightening experience). Paroxetine extended-release tablets are also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD, physical and psychological symptoms that occur before the onset of the menstrual period each month). Paroxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
Consult the doctor.
Please see the web pages for more details on Citalopram and Paroxetine.

Answer 4

Both Citalopram and Paroxetine are medications prescribed for;
Anxiety disorders including social anxiety disorder,
Panic disorder,
Obsessive compulsive disorder{OCD},
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder{PMDD}, &
Depression
These mental health issues are all conditions caused by the physical and emotional affects heightened stress responses and/or depletion of the brain's "happy" neuro-chemical serotonin.
Consequently, the depletion of serotonin causes increases of anxiety to a specific stimulus;
Agorophobia{fear of outdoors},
Anxiety in a social setting {fear in groups of known or unknown people},
OCD person performs ritualistic acts to relieve anxiety, unlocking and locking doors, washing hands, wiping anything before touching ect.
The physical symptoms of anxiety are shortness of breath, fast, shallow breathing, heart palpatations, &/or rapid heart rate, shaking, sweating, and dry mouth among the many. Such characteristcs leave an individual very uncomfortable both physically and emotionally. Consequently, people affected by anxiety are caused to make dramatic changes in their lives to enable them to avoid or minimise the impact of stressful situations which cause feelings of anxiety. In most cases, if left untreated people with turn to less effective coping mechanisms such as alcohol and drugs in order to relieve the symptoms of stress and anxiety.
However, people fortunate enough to receive family & friendly support encouraging them to visit the doctor are able to be prescribed these fantastic medications which when used in conjuction with counselling enable indivuduals to lead less disruptive, land more "normal" lives.
The medications Paroxetine and Citalopram enable this as they are in a class of medications callled Selective Seotonin Re-uptake inhibitors or SSRI's. For those with no medical background this means that the drug increases levels of seotonin in the brain by preventing it from being rapidly absorbed as it normally does. It is this action that enables people to feel more happy, less anxious, and more relaxed when taking SSRI's.
Side effects of Citalopram & Paroxetine include nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea, dizziness, syncope, and insomnia in some people. Due to these side effects, it is recommended that these medications be taking in the morning.
Usual dosages are 20mg up to 50mg in severe cases.
I take 40mg Paroxetine{Aropax} for exrtreme anxiety and major depression. My Mum takes Citlopram{Cipromil} for social anxiety and major depression.

Answer 5

Paroxetine Wikipedia

Answer 6

I am all pro-meds and stuff, but I think if you just have a little bit of the disorder, then you should learn to work with it, or get therapy, or start exercising at least 30 minutes per day. Drugs should not be your first choice treatment.

Answer 7

Oh wow. 0.5 of those those issues i did no longer even understand existed. i'm not sure why you opt to commit, yet i can assure you it extremely isn't any longer a thank you to pass. you're a eye-catching individual with a existence!!! A existence!!!:) merely because of the fact issues are undesirable now, doe no longer recommend they continuously would be. I heard one million-800-SUICIDE is a robust variety to call:)

Answer 8

2

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

I was on citalopram it didn't help me with my depression at all my Doctor put me on a tablet name called sertraline to help me with my problem and i can tell you i don't suffer so much now as i used to self harm Good luck on what your on XXX