Switching from Lexapro to Celexa

i began lexapro 3 1/2 yrs ago with samples from my doc, oh the joy of feeling happiness again!! when time to fill a script i found my insurance wouldn't cover the lexapro. i trialed prozac for 3 months... aargh, then celexa for 8 months... i took myself off because i felt no different from when i was taking nothing... finally ins. would cover lexapro, back to beginning to feel "normal" again... now i find my new insurance (medco) won't cover my 30 mg/daily of lexapro and my doc has been given a list of drugs to change me to. NO WAY!!! i will go with out groceries and such to continue my lexapro. i don't understand how non-medical people can decide what med is best for me.

Diana, I understand completely. Hang in there as generic Lexapro will be out soon, supposedly March 1st. I have been on Lexapro for about 4 years (my Dr gave me samples until they were no longer available) and finally, in this lifetime I am enjoying a happy, peaceful, positive life with no ups and downs, no depression, able to just enjoy every day for the first time in my life. I praise God for leading my Dr to prescribing Lexapro for me. He also is very happy with my progress. He has been my Dr for nearly 30 years and has seen me at my worst. Now he is seeing me at my best. I will be 74 this year and had suffered with anxiety, depression, panic, low self esteem, suicial thoughts, all of it since I was 14. We had tried several different meds which were not successful. Now for the past 4 years, oh, how wonderful it is to enjoy every minute of every day counting my blessings with happiness. So, hang in there. You might call your pharmacy to see if they have any info on a date that the generic will be available.

I too don't want to stop my Lexapro. My co-pay went from $3o to $50 per month, I was having a hard enough time with the $30. My solution was my doctor presribed me 20 mg with directions to take 1/2 tablet daily. So I only have a co-pay every other month. Hope this helps somebody.

Mrod1 wrote:

Hi..Im new here, I have been taking 10mg lexapro for about 2 months now..My doctor just switched my prescription to Celexa 40mg and I am nervous to start taking it. He told me to just stop taking lexapro and just start taking the celexa since it is almost the same. I am worried about going through side effects again since I have stabilized on the lexapro and the lexapro has been working for me fine and I am worried that Celexa won't be the same. Has anyone had to switch from lexapro to celexa and what was your experience..I haven't started the new prescription yet.

I changed due to cost increase, however, my Doctor did not change my dosage. I am taking exactly the same dosage I took with Lexapro and have been taking it for two months now successfully. I see so many posts where it seems the Doctors increase the dosage when changing to Celexa that I am going to ask my Doctor about it. I have to think she has made the correct decision since I am not feeling any different effect. Good luck.

I changed due to cost increase, however, my Doctor did not change my dosage. I am taking exactly the same dosage I took with Lexapro and have been taking it for two months now successfully. I see so many posts where it seems the Doctors increase the dosage when changing to Celexa that I am going to ask my Doctor about it. I have to think she has made the correct decision since I am not feeling any different effect. Good luck.

I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I have been on Lexapro 20mg for a couple years. Due to the loss of Rx insurance, I am switching to Celexa. I hope the transition goes smoothly. I do want to tell my fellow anxiety and panic disorder sufferers about a book I read that helped tremendously. It's called "Hope and Help for your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes. I am not affiliated with her and I do not benefit from any book sales. I am just someone that got control of my out of control panic disorder. READ THE BOOK! It will truly help you. Best wishes.

I tried lexapro. Did not work at all for me. I lv celexa. works great. im on 20mg. stated out at 10 moved up after a month.taking it in the morning makes me sleepy all day so i take it at night. Sleep good and wake up refreshed!

One thing to bear in mind is that people are looking for this sure for one if two reasons: they are switching between the two drugs and are concerned about the change it will have on their body (and who wouldn't be?). The other crowd are people who have switched and have had a bad experience with the new drug. People that have successfully made the switch and are satisfied are not very likely to search out a topic like this.

Oh, and I'm switching to Celexa for cost reasons after being on no anti-depressant at all for about a year, was curious about the difference people experienced between the two. Hoping Celexa works at least as good as Lexapro did. Good luck all, hope you all find your balance!

I know for insurance purposes as I have had to do this with many medicines for my son - if they doctor will write a letter of necessity for the medicine that is working better for you. Most insurance companies will allow it and cover it. You may pay a higher copay but if it works then find a way to get the insurance to cover it.

If they just absolutely refuse - then contact the MFG - most have programs to help pay for the medicines.

My son is 16 and taking 10mg of Lexapro but has had terrible nausea and not able to sleep well at night... someone told me about Celexa but now I am not sure, I know my sold would not want to feel drugged out.

does anyone know for sure when the generic form of Lexapro is hitting the market? Heard it is supposed to be March 1st, but not sure.

generic lexapro now available, maker is Mylan Pharmacy

Thank you so much, Treesha. I am going to check with my pharmacy tomorrow. This is a blessing. Thank you.

I was on Lexapro 10mg and felt greatttt. I switch to the Canadian brand S-Citadep because my insurance wouldn't cover the Lexapro. I felt good, but not great for a couple of month's, but I could tell I was sliding back into depression & my anxiety was going up. I was feeling more and more tired and no drive. I am now going back on Lexapro because the same scenario happened to a family member of mine. I strong suggest that everyone stay on Lexapro.

thanks

I was on lexapro 10mg for 3 years ,because of high cost of lexapro.My dr. put me on citalopram 20mg. I have been having side effects swollen tongue,headaches and feeling tired all the time.I plan to go back on lexapro, and and pay the high cost.Hope changing meds. will not cause more side a effects.

I am glad to report that Lexapro generic is now available! I was able to get it at CVS last week. Please call your pharmacy and check. I am Medicare D and I had to finish meeting my deductible but next month I will be able to get it for $5.00. Praise God.

I was switched from 100mg of Lexapro to 40mg of Celexa about three months ago, and my head is not right.I am definitely more depressed, and I just feel differently than I did on the lexapro. I'm an RN who knows that 40mgs of Celexa is NO WAY an equal substitute for 100 of Lexapro! I was taking Lexapro 100 in the am for 6 years and in combo with my meds that my psychopharmacologist(MD/PhD) prescribed for me, I was able to take the RN refresher course and return to part-time work as an RN. I have had depression/anxiety for 26 years, saw MULTIPLE psychiatrists over the years and many other docs for my lupus and many other medical problems, but was not really being helped. My neurologist recommended a new "shrink" whose changing my meds and within a year, felt the best in my life, and back to work. I was laid-off in 2010, finally got insurance, but I have to see a CRNP who doesn't know me. She took me off lexapro--I tried to tell her that going from Lexapro100 to Celexa40 was going to be bad for me, and I'm really feeling it. My mental health and physical health has so declined, I'm 57, but no way could i mentally handle nursing, which was my life's passion. I've gone from an poor life to a being an active and contributing member of society to more misery that I can say. I'm on county assistance, applying for SSI, being evicted from my apt. because I have no income. i knw if I was still on Lexapro 100 and seroquel 100 at bedtime, I would not be in this position. i have begged her to "look up the info", but she refuses. Good Luck to all of you who suffer out there!

I must correct my dosages from above...I was taking 40mgs of lexapro, but was switched to 40mgs of celexa...still NO WAY AN EQUAL EXCHANGE!!!

I like everyone else switched to Celexa because of the cost. Both doctors and pharmacists said they were basically identical. I always said I felt better on Lexapro. So, the reason I am here is because I left my Celexa at work because I was going to call in a refill. Since I was told they were the same, I took 3 10 mg Lexapro to somewhat equal my 40 mg of Celexa and then came to the internet to make sure. I am a little concerned. Surprisingly I cannot find a definitive answer.

I was taking Paxil for anxiety and depression but only got worse more anxiety and wanted to killmyself then I was switch to celexa and it's a miracle medication. Now I can be a person again getting better first thanks to GOD. I thought j was NEVER going to feel better. Also I do feel nauseated get headaches but better than before and not fatigue like before.