Anyone tried Escitalopram for anxiety? Is it the same drug as Citalopram?

[Mindfullness]

I have just tapered off of Venlafaxine as it didn't help my anxiety, if anything it made it worse :(. In the past I have tried Sertraline, Mirtazapine, Fluoxetine and Citalopram and didn't get on with those due to adverse affects (mainly insomnia and joint swelling). I have a new gp and she suggested either Escitalopram or Paroxetine. Out of the 2 I think Escitalopram would be better but am just worried as with Citalopram I literally didn't sleep for 3 days straight. I have had anxiety for many years and just want to find something that will help me. Thank you x

Similar but not the same. I took Paroxetine if that helps and though I didn't have any side effects on it, it did make my depression worse.

Have you tried an older type of Antidepressant. All the ones you've listed are either SSRIs or SNRIs. I couldn't tolerate any of them due to a mix of side effects or making existing symptoms worse. I do get on very well with Amitriptyline though, which is a Tricyclic antidepressant. Very old fashioned and GPs are hesitant to prescribe them now but they do work. Supposedly they have more side effects but all I've ever had is a couple of weeks of mild dizziness in the first 2 weeks and dry mouth which, admittedly, is murder but better than I was getting on the newer ones.

Always had problems with anx/depression on/off for many years. I was on citalopram years back, must off stopped working as I got anxiety bad again. Gp put me on escitalopram and was on it for a good few years. Gp told me it was more refined??

Now on venlafaxine, as another bad episode!

Thank you. Will look into Amitriptyline and I believe Escitalopram is more expensive so less harsh. I am worried as took 1 Citalopram and couldn't sleep for days 🙈 Granadagirl is the Ven helping?

Citalopram was an arse for me. I hallucinated for weeks after stopping it. Had only been on it 2 months. Escitalopram I believe is gentler.

If you try amitriptyline get them to start you off on 10mg for a week or so. Will do fuck all except make you sleep but eases you in to the side effects more slowly. If you go straight in at 50mg the dry mouth and dizzy spells will do you in. The dizziness packs in at about 2 weeks in and for me it doesn't recur when I up the dosage.

I’d say I’m in a better place depression wise than I was 7 yrs ago, but anxiety for ME NO
I’m a wreck with it.
Wish I’d never gone on it, because it’s supposed to be one of the hardest to come off!

Poor you thesnap, that sounds awful. I can't take Citalopram that's for sure. I will discuss the Escitalopram when I see my GP, as I have booked an appointment.
Granadagirl- it made my anxiety so much worse and everyday I felt like I had the worst hangover. I was on it for 8 months and like you scared of the stories. I tapered off over 3 months and had a few little things but nothing compared to being on it xx

Escitalopram is the 2nd generation drug. It's like Citalopram but less side effects on a lower dose and is more effective.

I have taken Citalopram on and off (mostly for anxiety) for over 10 years and it just stopped working for me. Escitalopram worked like a dream, feel better after literally a few days, no prolonged cotton wool brain or panicky feelings when I start taking it. It's fantastic.

Also, if you speak to your doctor I'm sure they will give you a short prescription for sleeping tablets whilst the antidepressants get into your system, and if you find you don't need them you won't have to use them

It was actually quite interesting. I knew they weren't real as no one else could see them and I figured that it was the medication. I'd never had so much as a night terror before so I found it fascinating.