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Mental health

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Original poster

anyone used 'Escitalopram' ?

10 replies

alexa1 · 30/10/2006 16:47

I have been prescribed this for anxiety/panic disorder. i was prescribed citalopram but the side effect were awful so i stopped taking it. the GP said the side effects were ok with this one, but i am not so sure because when i asked the pharmacist she said it is the new updated version of citolopram. so the doctor has basically prescribed the same one as before. this doesnt make sense to me at all. i told her the side effects were awful and she still prescribes it.

anyone on this or taking it before with any success.
i am very relcutant to take it and might not bother. i couldnt sleep with citropram.

OP posts:

MrsBadger · 30/10/2006 16:57

They are actually different chemicals.
'New updated' here doesn't mean different colour packaging, it means it was reformulated at a molecular level.

Give it a bash - if it's just as bad then go back to the GP and tell her - she can't know how it'll affect you till you've at least tried it.

irishbird · 30/10/2006 16:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NumNumMum · 30/10/2006 23:18

I was prescribed this, it worked quickly at the time with no side effects. Give it a go, I say.

DastardlyDevilishDior · 30/10/2006 23:20

I used to use it. I got nausea for about a week and disrupted sleep, but it all died down pretty quickly. Worked well on my anxiety - not so well on the depression!

Medea · 31/10/2006 00:25

I was told that escitalopram was the updated version of Prozac.Which is different from citolopram, if that reassures you, although all these SSRIs are somwhat similar. In any event, escitalopram is known for having a "smooth" uptake.

And yes it is possible you'll have side-effects, but also VERY possible you won't. Each of these drugs can have a totally different effect to what other drugs (even in the same category) have.

In any event it won't hurt you to try it, and to stay on it long enough to see if the side-effects disappear, as they usually do.

I had side effects that didn't go away, and it was eventually determined (after I tried several SSRI type drugs) that SSRIs don't work for me full stop.

(It turned outand this probably won't apply to youthat I'm bipolar and need an entirely different class of medication.)

My advice is to give it a go, and not to give up on it because you have a preconceived idea that you'll have side-effects that will last. Good luck.

redsky · 31/10/2006 07:39

I've been on this for several months now and it is working really well. Initially I had nausea and sleep problems but they disappeared after about 10 days. I think you should give it a try - and stick with it for at least a few weeks, but I know that is easier said than done. Good luck.

Original poster

alexa1 · 31/10/2006 09:48

thanks everyone. what mg is everyone on. mine is 10mg

OP posts:

DastardlyDevilishDior · 31/10/2006 09:49

Alexa - I started on 10mg and increased to 20mg because it wasn't touching the depression. 10mg was enough for my anxiety though.

Original poster

alexa1 · 31/10/2006 09:54

i've got st johns wort which i stated taking but then stopped taking it because u have to take 3 a day and im not good with remembering.
i dont know whether to try them again as i only took them for a short while. i dont know if they are any good for anxiety/panic disorder though.
anyone know??
i would rather take natural stuff than chemical stuff that messes with your brain.

OP posts:

zippitippitoes · 31/10/2006 09:57

don't take st john's wort at the same time as they interact

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