Lexapro (Escitalopram) vs Citalopram

[LostandConfused33]

I was diagnosed with depression several years ago and got through a couple of bouts with counselling, I then ended up going to my GP and being prescribed Citalopram. I've taken it twice for 9 months to a year each time with over a year in between and it worked well for me but both times I gained weight.

I'm really struggling again at the moment, I've got so panicky about things being perfectly right at work that I'm making almost no progress then getting into trouble for not delivering. At home I'm a black hole of negativity and pessimism and starting to worry that my DP is going to get utterly fed up with it. I'm worrying that my work performance is going to screw up his life too (we are abroad based on my job although he is working here too his job couldn't keep us here). I've been trying to manage it with diet, exercise and sleep (all of which help) but my DP is away a lot at the moment and I lack the willpower to enforce good habits on myself now (hence being on MN 2 hours past sleep-time). I know from experience that I probably need to be back on the tablets. Today I got dragged into an impromptu meeting late in the day and ended up missing my scheduled bike ride with friends. I had to call the lady organising from the meeting to say I wouldn't make it and I practically cried on the phone that I was going to miss it (thinking that I was letting her down, failing to be assertive about leaving when I planned, failing to look dedicated to my job because I'd planned to leave early (I had come in early especially but they didn't know that), guilty that I wouldn't be doing my exercise and I'd gain weight and be more depressed etc etc.) my colleagues were very as they could hear my voice cracking. It's kind of given me the kick that this isn't normal and I can't cope without help anymore.

Problem is that I now live abroad. You can get Citalopram but only on special order from the other end of the country. When I first moved here they suggested switching to Lexapro but I managed to persuade them to source a few months of Citalopram and then I weaned myself off them

Has anyone had experience of both Citalopram and Lexapro? Any significant differences between them? As I understand it Lexapro is the brand name for escitalopram (the more active isomer of citalopram) and prescribed in lower doses. I'm not sure whether I fight for Citalopram again (better the devil you know and all that) or try Lexapro, which will be easier to access but has unknown efficacy and side effects for me.

From a very shallow perspective it's taken me a year to nearly get back down to my pre-Citalopram weight and I don't want to gain massively again. Unfortunately I think any effective meds will do this as they stop me worrying about gaining weight and remove all willpower so I just eat. Any specific experiences of weight gain (or not) on Lexapro would be welcome too.

I know my sex drive will probably die on any SSRI but frankly it's already in a coma due to depression so not much to loose

[LostandConfused33]

Thanks so much - it was such an epic post when I read it back that I didn't think I'd get any replies!

It's reassuring that for you at least it's worked well. I think it's more expensive because it is still (or was until very recently) under patent - so may be more common in countries where you pay privately for your meds.

[mummybean84]

Hi

I dont have any experience of Citalopram but I have been taking Lexapro (Escitalopram) for a year now.

I was put on it because if very anxious suffering panic attacks and depression. My Doctor said she was giving me this one despite the fact it was more expensive (and technically she wasnt meant to be prescribing it) because in was better tolerated and had fewer side effects.

I was very worried about taking it but i have had no side effects except for noticable increase in dreams, i now dream several times a night i can always remember them and they are more vivid but not nightmares just normal dreams.

i have actually lost a little weight probably due to stress but definatly no increase.

hope it all goes well for you.