Lexapro or Celexa for Anxiety? Which is less stimulating?

[Michelle41]

I was on Prozac for 2 years but had to stop because it was too stimulating, making my anxiety worse   I was considering taking Lexapro or Celexa. I know that the are chemically related, but which one is better for GAD? Is one more stimulating than the other?
I don't want to be on an SSRI that will give me anymore anxiety than I have right now   I have been on Paxil and Zoloft before, but they made me feel like a zombie   Any info would be greately appreciated!
((HUGS)) 
Michelle

[lathase04]

I was on Celexa for 2.5 years or so. When I started taking it, my doctor warned me that beginning a regimine of an SSRI causes anxiety as a side-effect, until your body gets used to it. That's just how the drug works. The first two weeks taking an SSRI are a b*tch, but it got much better after that.

I defnitely never felt like a "zombie" I always felt like my normal self, but I had some bad problems with other side-effects, namely weight gain and sexual side effects. But at the time, it was worth it because my anxiety was bad and Celexa worked well. I don't think it's quite as "hard core" as Lexapro, which I've heard does alter your personality (makes you "feel like a zombie" as you said). hope this helps!

[BrambleRose]

The first week of taking lexapro was rough, but it quickly got better. I've been taking 20 mg at night for the last year. I don't find it stimulating and it doesn't increase my appetite. I sort of find it somewhat balancing.

[lbrickme]

I don't know that either is stimulating per se.  I'm on Celexa and it makes me a bit more tired in the afternoons (or maybe it's just because I'm not so anxious . . . ?)  Lexapro is sort of a subset of Celexa.  The way my psychiatrist explained it is to think of Celexa as a medicine with 2 types of molecules. Lexapro contains only 1 of those 2 types. I think there is a decent explanation at: http://depression.emedtv.com/celexa/lexapro-vs.-celexa.html   Because it has less varied components it has a lower side effect profile but, for some, may be slightly less effective as well.

The difficulty you might have is with insurance.  Because Lexapro is still on patent it's much more expensive so insurance sometimes asks for more justification from the doctor/psychiatrist. 

I know for Celexa or any SSRI you've got to give it some time for the side effects to wear off.  Usually 2-4 weeks.  So even if you find it stimulating the first couple of weeks, stick to it.  It gets better.

[Door]

For most people, Lexapro is less stimulating.  I've taken both.  When I first tried Celexa, it was not stimulating for me at all.  Neither was Lexapro.

I prefer Lexapro because for me it has fewer side effects.  This is not true for everybody though.

[Michelle41]

Thank you everyone for your info    I am going to my Pdoc in the morning to discuss the options.. From what I have been reading, Celexa may do the trick.. I guess my fear is long term use as to how it will affect my body/mind... Maybe if I can stay on less than 5mg, it won't be too bad 

[lbrickme]

For Celexa the dosing is different.  I think they say "officially" that the clinical dosing is 20-50mgs (or maybe 60).  I take 10 and it seems to help enough.  But I think 5 would be unlikely to do much.  Most people, but not all, are on at least 20mg.  For Lexapro the dosing is smaller.  Not sure why - it must have something to do with how much active medicine is in each pill.  A common dose is 10mgs.  For either I'd recommend starting low, like at 5mgs, and moving up slowly as you need to.  I stay at each 5mg increment for at least a couple of weeks - usually until the side effects wear off.  It makes the ramp-up easier.  Good luck! 

[Gator]

My doc put me on Lexapro and I could not take it.  After 2 weeks he changed it to Celexa.  The Lexapro kept me to wired up. 

[Michelle41]

So far, the Celexa has calmed me down considerably.. I don't like the weird, spacey feeling I am having, but I haven't been eating much for almost 2 weeks now.. I have lost 10 lbs as well.. So I am hoping that I will be able to eat more food now to balance it all out.. I have some hormonal issues as well so that may be making my body freak out too.. It can sometimes really suck being a woman! LOL!