Lexapro versus the generic brand Citalopram

Hi guys! I think I've said this before, but there is no generic currently available for Lexapro. The pantent on this drug is just about to run out though, and when it does, I believe sometime in March, there will be a generic available. Until then, we'll have to keep paying the crazy prices for it, but since it works, what's another month or two? My psychiatrist also explained it as "the best pieces of celexa". She said if I couldn't afford the Lex she would right me a script of the genric for celexa...why would I ever want a generic of a script she wouldn't write for me in brand name? Seems like it defeats the purpose?

Hold out..the real generic of lexapro is just a month or two around the corner, then we can all safely take it. All a brand name is is the patent, a true generic is chemically exactly the same, just a different color or shape, and much much cheaper for us and /or our insurance companies!

-Jenni G

Good luck with the lexapro. Welcome to the forum...

Karen

Hi SR1400,

I just noticed your post and want to welcome you to the depression forum. You will find a lot of support here.

Hugs, Karen

I am sorry that you had to pay for your lexapro. That sucks... Yes, next time give them time to order the generic for you if they don't have it.

I hope that it is still helping you.

Hugs, Karen

I have been on Lexapro for many years and I just switched to the generic for Celexa three weeks ago. I have been having serious flu symptoms for the past 10 days, dizziness, vomiting, extreme tiredness. I have just started to think that these symptoms may be side effects of the Celexa generic. Has anyone else experienced these side effects? I can't go on like this!
Javanut

Thanks, have an 8 a.m. Dr. Appt. hopefully we'll get to the bottom of this

I on 200mg wellbruitin's generic and also 60 mg of citalopram and xanex as needed - the prescription is for 2 per day.

I was put on th citalopram first at 20mg and it's been increased twice first to 40 then 60. As well as depression and anxiety I was diagnosed with PTSD - which is an anxiety disorder. I am under the assumption citalopram is an antidepressant that helps with this anxiety disorder as well. I've had several major surgeries and many health issues as well as past trauma's and it all pushed me to the PTSD problem.

So I'm wondering if it is not working for some of you because you don't need the help for anxiety. It has helped me a lot. I did decrease my wellbrution from 300 to 200 as it was too much. I tried to wean myself further off wellbrution tp 100 and realized I needed 200. So I feel that my current dosing is th right one.

I tried other anti-depressants over the years and 3 specifically for fibromyalgia and cymbalta made me think about dying all the time. and lyrica and savella didn't help at all plus one made me retain water.

A long post to say some things work for some of us and it doesn't work for others. If what you are taking is not working then you should switch but you need to do it under your doctor's instructions. I went off of cymbalta without tapering down and the two weeks afterwards was horrible. I had brain zaps, my equilibrim was messed up and I was really spaced out so I spent around 2 weeks in bed.

Life is to short to go on somthing just because it is cheaper, use what works.

Great! I'm glad your doctor listened to you and hope you are feeling better very soon!

Hi Fellow somethings:

I was diagnoised with sever depression and anxiety in 2000 when I was hospitalized after my third suicide attempt. It took quite a while for the doctors and clinical staff to develop a medication plan to control most of my symtoms. I have used 40 mg of lexapro and 50mgs of serequol nightly to keep my levels safe. Now after 12 years the insurance won't pay for my lexapro and I have been switched to citalopram. I am do to be switch on monday. I am scared to death. I am a widow and live alone so I have a complete action plan with a friend to check on me and strict DNR plan in place. I will not go through this agony again. I am tired of insurance companies deciding what is best for me.  My doctor fought for weeks with the insurance company not to make this switch because it is dangerous but nothing worked so here I go. I guess at 60 I should not be worried it is in the hands of God but the torture I went through before lexapro is mind blowing. My symptoms are well documented and my dear friend knows what to look for if trouble arisies. I will let you know in a couple of weeks if I feel there is a difference between the two. Please wish me luck and God bless.

Thank you Javanut for your reply. I will definitely take your suggestion.

Hiya!

Just wanted to clarify the exact name of the Lexapro generic for those looking for it:

Escitalopram Oxalate

I came to this board to check and see what people thought about Lexapro vs the new generic, and was surprised to find out that Citalopram, which I had taken for a few months thinking it was the Lexapro generic, is in fact NOT the generic!

Thinking back, I don't believe I noticed any difference in how the med worked, but interesting to learn!

I had decided to buy Lexapro from Canada since my insurance stopped it, and I was told that Citalopram was the generic. I bought it and used it for 6 months, and later switched back to Lexapro when my insurance changed.

I just recently switched to the REAL generic for Lexapro, and I've noticed some RLS the past week which is a side-effect I experienced when I stopped Lexapro a few years ago.

Just wanted to check and see if maybe the generic Escitalopram is possibly not as strong as the brand so my body is going through some withdrawals....(taking 20mg a day)

Could be TOTALLY unrelated though, as mentally I feel the generic is working fine for anxiety and OCD as the Lexapro did...

-Greg

Hi Greg,

Welcome to the forum, and thank you for the advice.

I believe RLS is restless leg syndrome. I used to get that with fibromyalgia if I was in bed too long.

I hope you all feel better.

Have a great day!!

Hugs, Karen

I have been taking Lexapro on and off for a few years and it seems to work for my anxiety. I just tried the generic form of escitalopram and feel awful! My head has so much pressure and I am so tired, and upset stomach. Wondering if anyone had this happen to them? I know they are supposed to be the same drug and I was so excited to save some money on the generic finally. It is really hard to budget the lexapro but I do feel better so just called in to switch back. Again, wondering if anyone had the same reaction to the generic brand?