Re: Compared to other meds

[Guest guest]

Doe anyone know the difference between Effexor (spelling?) and Lexapro?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info as I am definitely not even close to being a chemist. My

Psychiatrist told me that it is a refined version of Celexa. That it has only a

couple or so characteristics of Celexa.

Anyway----

Mark

collegeeducatedfriend <indianpaint2000@...> wrote:

I resentlly talked to a Lexapo representative in my Dr. office and he

states that Lexapro and celexa are totally different meds not to be

confused as any simularity at all. I had a pharmacy try to substitute

asying that the drugs are basicllly the same and they definetly are

not!!! The rep stated he was going to make a vist to the phamacy that

had told me this information and requested that in the future would I

pass the word. I agreed to do so that is why I have joined this

group. Thanks

[Guest guest]

I hate to tell you but if you read the info on the two drugs they are they same

base drug. The difference is this: They took the Celexa isomer and split it. In

doing so they believe they got rid of the part that causes most of the side

effects seen with Celexa. That's not really true as some people react to Lex the

same way they would to Celexa. That is: The sides are bad for both drugs.

I think the pharmacist will set the drug rep straight on this.

Barbara

Barbara

Compared to other meds

I resentlly talked to a Lexapo representative in my Dr. office and he

states that Lexapro and celexa are totally different meds not to be

confused as any simularity at all. I had a pharmacy try to substitute

asying that the drugs are basicllly the same and they definetly are

not!!! The rep stated he was going to make a vist to the phamacy that

had told me this information and requested that in the future would I

pass the word. I agreed to do so that is why I have joined this

group. Thanks

[Guest guest]

This is correct. Whoever the pharmacist is, is an idiot. Lex contains the active

isomer of Celexa, but Celexa contains other active ingredients which are of

questionable benefit therapeutically.

Compared to other meds

I resentlly talked to a Lexapo representative in my Dr. office and he

states that Lexapro and celexa are totally different meds not to be

confused as any simularity at all. I had a pharmacy try to substitute

asying that the drugs are basicllly the same and they definetly are

not!!! The rep stated he was going to make a vist to the phamacy that

had told me this information and requested that in the future would I

pass the word. I agreed to do so that is why I have joined this

group. Thanks

[Guest guest]

It was also explained to me that the " active ingrediant " in Celexa was the same

as that in Lex, .Or to put it another way, it's like Celexa on steroids.

Sue C

Compared to other meds

I resentlly talked to a Lexapo representative in my Dr. office and he

states that Lexapro and celexa are totally different meds not to be

confused as any simularity at all. I had a pharmacy try to substitute

asying that the drugs are basicllly the same and they definetly are

not!!! The rep stated he was going to make a vist to the phamacy that

had told me this information and requested that in the future would I

pass the word. I agreed to do so that is why I have joined this

group. Thanks

[Guest guest]

Celexa and Lexapro are very similar. They're also different enough

that the pharmacist can't substitute one for the other.

The easiest way to remember the difference between Celexa and Lexapro

is to think of both of your hands. They look exactly the same, but

they're exact opposites. Celexa has both " hands. " But only one of

the two hands in Celexa is the part that fits into the correct parts

of the brain. The other hand just hangs around doing nothing. So the

makers of Celexa made Lexapro, which only carries the " hand " that

fits. This makes Lexapro more concentrated than Celexa and also is

supposed to have fewer side effects because the other hand isn't

hanging around in your blood stream causing problems.

So they are very similar but you're right that the pharmacy should

have never tried to substitute one for the other, since they're not

exactly the same. Only you and your pdoc can make that decision.

They have to fill the scrip as written.

I'm pretty jaded when it comes to drug reps... It's their job to

convince doctors to prescribe medications, but that doesn't mean that

they understand the medications all that well themselves. I mean,

have you ever tried to read the drug information that they distribute

to doctors? Half of it is describing the chemical makeup on the

molecular level. Drug reps don't practice medicine, they travel from

doctor's office to doctor's office, and I doubt they've been studying

chemistry lately, so I don't trust them to be all that clear on their

own drug info. Yes, I'm jaded. Yes, I'm untrusting. But you know

what? It's that jaded and untrusting attitude that keeps my docs on

their toes.

Please don't trust everything you hear from a drug rep. Do your own

research instead.

Jen

>

> I resentlly talked to a Lexapo representative in my Dr. office and he

> states that Lexapro and celexa are totally different meds not to be

> confused as any simularity at all. I had a pharmacy try to substitute

> asying that the drugs are basicllly the same and they definetly are

> not!!! The rep stated he was going to make a vist to the phamacy that

> had told me this information and requested that in the future would I

> pass the word. I agreed to do so that is why I have joined this

> group. Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

That was a great explanation!

Barbara

Re: Compared to other meds

Celexa and Lexapro are very similar. They're also different enough

that the pharmacist can't substitute one for the other.

The easiest way to remember the difference between Celexa and Lexapro

is to think of both of your hands. They look exactly the same, but

they're exact opposites. Celexa has both " hands. " But only one of

the two hands in Celexa is the part that fits into the correct parts

of the brain. The other hand just hangs around doing nothing. So the

makers of Celexa made Lexapro, which only carries the " hand " that

fits. This makes Lexapro more concentrated than Celexa and also is

supposed to have fewer side effects because the other hand isn't

hanging around in your blood stream causing problems.

So they are very similar but you're right that the pharmacy should

have never tried to substitute one for the other, since they're not

exactly the same. Only you and your pdoc can make that decision.

They have to fill the scrip as written.

I'm pretty jaded when it comes to drug reps... It's their job to

convince doctors to prescribe medications, but that doesn't mean that

they understand the medications all that well themselves. I mean,

have you ever tried to read the drug information that they distribute

to doctors? Half of it is describing the chemical makeup on the

molecular level. Drug reps don't practice medicine, they travel from

doctor's office to doctor's office, and I doubt they've been studying

chemistry lately, so I don't trust them to be all that clear on their

own drug info. Yes, I'm jaded. Yes, I'm untrusting. But you know

what? It's that jaded and untrusting attitude that keeps my docs on

their toes.

Please don't trust everything you hear from a drug rep. Do your own

research instead.

Jen

>

> I resentlly talked to a Lexapo representative in my Dr. office and he

> states that Lexapro and celexa are totally different meds not to be

> confused as any simularity at all. I had a pharmacy try to substitute

> asying that the drugs are basicllly the same and they definetly are

> not!!! The rep stated he was going to make a vist to the phamacy that

> had told me this information and requested that in the future would I

> pass the word. I agreed to do so that is why I have joined this

> group. Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

Lex is an SSRI and Effexor is a dual-reuptake-inhibitor which works on

Norepenepherine (Sp?) as well as Serotonin. I currently take Effexor XR 75mg.

Barbara

Re: Compared to other meds

Doe anyone know the difference between Effexor (spelling?) and Lexapro?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Gosh Barbara, I still don't understand what that means. I have been on Lex,

10 mg, for 15 months. My daughter is having marriage trouble and they put

her on Effexor, don't know anything about that one. thanks,

[Guest guest]

Thanks Barbara,

I can't take credit for coming up with it, though. The company and

all the doctors I've talked to try to use the same analogy when

explaining it.

Jen

>

> That was a great explanation!

>

> Barbara

[Guest guest]

Since I went off Lexapro the hospital put me on Efexor xr 75mg.

Re: Compared to other meds

Doe anyone know the difference between Effexor (spelling?) and Lexapro?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Lex works only on serotonin. Effexor works on both seretonin and norepenephrine,

both of which are brain chemicals. For some of us (me for one!) I need a dual

drug. Celexa turned me into a zombie. Effexor gave me back myself and my life.

:-)

Is there anything else you can think of that might help me to clarify things for

you?

Barbara

Re: Compared to other meds

Gosh Barbara, I still don't understand what that means. I have been on Lex,

10 mg, for 15 months. My daughter is having marriage trouble and they put

her on Effexor, don't know anything about that one. thanks,

[Guest guest]

My daughter is having marriage trouble and they put

her on Effexor, don't know anything about that one. thanks,

I've just recently come off of Effexor having been on it about a year

and a half at a dose of 225mg. It did nothing for my depression but did

help with anxiety. The side effects were terrible for me tho. Unable

to sleep, sweating profusely at the slightest rise in room temperature

or any exertion, dry mouth, dry eyes, canker sores in mouth, head

sores/itchy scalp. I was basically emotionless on it once the anxiety

was gone. I was placed on lex almost 4 weeks ago, one week of which I

was still on the effexor. I am still not sleeping on the lex but at

least all the other side of the effexor are gone. I am on 10mg right

now and see my psychiatrist again next week when dosage will probably be

upped. BTW he also put me on ativan when he put me on the lex cause my

sleep is so poor, but it hasn't helped.

I hope your daughter has better success on it than I had.

[Guest guest]

See, Celexa made a mess out of me. Effexor is working for me...like a miracle!

Just goes to show how differently we each react to these drugs.

Barbara

Re: Compared to other meds

My daughter is having marriage trouble and they put

her on Effexor, don't know anything about that one. thanks,

I've just recently come off of Effexor having been on it about a year

and a half at a dose of 225mg. It did nothing for my depression but did

help with anxiety. The side effects were terrible for me tho. Unable

to sleep, sweating profusely at the slightest rise in room temperature

or any exertion, dry mouth, dry eyes, canker sores in mouth, head

sores/itchy scalp. I was basically emotionless on it once the anxiety

was gone. I was placed on lex almost 4 weeks ago, one week of which I

was still on the effexor. I am still not sleeping on the lex but at

least all the other side of the effexor are gone. I am on 10mg right

now and see my psychiatrist again next week when dosage will probably be

upped. BTW he also put me on ativan when he put me on the lex cause my

sleep is so poor, but it hasn't helped.

I hope your daughter has better success on it than I had.

[Guest guest]

Effexor worked wonders for ME TOO !!!

And I'm NOT trying to argue or suggest this will happen to you.....

But after three months of Effexor...(depression free for the first time in my

life)........the bottom dropped out.........it TOTALLY lost it's effectiveness.

So what if Lex only boosts Serotonin ?

I've taken ALL the SSRI's in the past (x-cept Prozac) and ALL were

inneffective.

But Lexapro is working great....and I KNOW my Serotonin is " up " because I am

seeing " intense colors " .....similar to what happens in

an LSD trip....(when the brain is FLOODED with Serotonin........)

Just wanna say Lexapro is a good drug (for me at least) and you do come off just

a LITTLE (tiny bit) abrasive when you sort of say " na-na-na-na-na.....i get a

serotonin AND a norepinephrine boost " !

" serotonon tony "

tony.

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Interesting reply but I'm not sure who, exactly, you were replying to! ;-) I've

been on Effexor for over 2 years and been fine. Some people have problems with

meds suddenly pooping out on them. I'm glad the Lex is working for you. That

must have been kind of rough wondering if you were going to find something that

would help you. Interestingly enough I don't get a boost from Effexor. I feel

'normal' whatever that is. Put it like this... I feel like myself again.

Some people need the dual drugs...others don't. It's as individual as our

responses to the different drugs.

Barbara

Re: Compared to other meds

Effexor worked wonders for ME TOO !!!

And I'm NOT trying to argue or suggest this will happen to you.....

But after three months of Effexor...(depression free for the first time in my

life)........the bottom dropped out.........it TOTALLY lost it's effectiveness.

So what if Lex only boosts Serotonin ?

I've taken ALL the SSRI's in the past (x-cept Prozac) and ALL were

inneffective.

But Lexapro is working great....and I KNOW my Serotonin is " up " because I am

seeing " intense colors " .....similar to what happens in

an LSD trip....(when the brain is FLOODED with Serotonin........)

Just wanna say Lexapro is a good drug (for me at least) and you do come off

just a LITTLE (tiny bit) abrasive when you sort of say " na-na-na-na-na.....i get

a serotonin AND a norepinephrine boost " !

" serotonon tony "

tony.

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

I've taken Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Celexa and Lex. The Lex

is the only thing that worked on me. I felt pretty good on the Zoloft and Paxil,

but they pooped out on me after a year of treatment. But Lex has given me a new

life and I'm digging it ! Sue C From: tony m [mailto: tm0418222@...]To:

Lexapro@...: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 14:08:26 -0700 (PDT)Subject:

Re: Compared to other meds

Effexor worked wonders for ME TOO !!!And I'm NOT trying to argue or suggest this

will happen to you.....But after three months of Effexor...(depression free for

the first time in my life)........the bottom dropped out.........it TOTALLY lost

it's effectiveness.So what if Lex only boosts Serotonin ?I've taken ALL the

SSRI's in the past (x-cept Prozac) and ALL were inneffective.But Lexapro is

working great....and I KNOW my Serotonin is " up " because I am seeing " intense

colors " .....similar to what happens inan LSD trip....(when the brain is FLOODED

with Serotonin........)Just wanna say Lexapro is a good drug (for me at least)

and you do come off just a LITTLE (tiny bit) abrasive when you sort of say

" na-na-na-na-na.....i get a serotonin AND a norepinephrine boost " ! " serotonon

tony " tony.---------------------------------How low will we go? Check out

Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.[Non-text portions of this message have

been removed]

_______________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

I can't take SNRIs..Selected Norepenephrine Reutake Inhibitors like Cymbalta,

because the stuff makes me hallucinate and see bugs coming out of light

switches...It's fun So, I don't take any tricyclic antidepressants. Sue C--- On

Tue 10/03, Barbara & lt; bjarrett@... & gt; wrote:From: Barbara [mailto:

bjarrett@...]Lexapro@...: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 19:12:36

-0400Subject: Re: Re: Compared to other meds

Interesting reply but I'm not sure who, exactly, you were replying to! ;-) I've

been on Effexor for over 2 years and been fine. Some people have problems with

meds suddenly pooping out on them. I'm glad the Lex is working for you. That

must have been kind of rough wondering if you were going to find something that

would help you. Interestingly enough I don't get a boost from Effexor. I feel

'normal' whatever that is. Put it like this... I feel like myself again.Some

people need the dual drugs...others don't. It's as individual as our responses

to the different drugs. Barbara

Re: Compared to other medsEffexor worked wonders for ME TOO !!!And I'm

NOT trying to argue or suggest this will happen to you.....But after three

months of Effexor...(depression free for the first time in my life)........the

bottom dropped out.........it TOTALLY lost it's

effectiveness.So what if Lex only boosts Serotonin ?I've taken ALL the SSRI's in

the past (x-cept Prozac) and ALL were inneffective.But Lexapro is working

great....and I KNOW my Serotonin is " up " because I am seeing " intense

colors " .....similar to what happens inan LSD trip....(when the brain is FLOODED

with Serotonin........)Just wanna say Lexapro is a good drug (for me at least)

and you do come off just a LITTLE (tiny bit) abrasive when you sort of say

" na-na-na-na-na.....i get a serotonin AND a norepinephrine boost " ! " serotonon

tony " tony.---------------------------------How low will we go? Check out

Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.[Non-text portions of this message have

been removed]

[Guest guest]

It was directed to SOME post and I am just sarcastic by nature , thus

the response.

No don't get me wrong....Effexor is a WONDERFUL medication...I REALLY

regret it " pooped out on me " .........

..........if it is still working for you great !!!

I am on Lex now , having about a month ago switched from Luvox.

It's funny...I brought up a tv commercial to my shrink that connected

Luvox to Liver problems ? (i thought)

No...he clarified...Luvox can screw up the metabolism of OTHER drugs,

by the liver.

Well....doc...besides luvox....you have me on seroquel, klonopin and

trileptal ...(ahem...ahem !!!)

So he said.... " if u want i will switch you over to a " cleaner drug "

lexapro....it affects the SAME receptor sites as luvox........

so all is working out with Lex....with the added benefit of color

enhancement (especially in the evening) with Lexapro....which to me,

means it's producing more Serotonin than Luvox was.......!!!

btw.........was this post confusing enuff ??? (hah !)....tony.

>

> Interesting reply but I'm not sure who, exactly, you were replying

to! ;-) I've been on Effexor for over 2 years and been fine. Some

people have problems with meds suddenly pooping out on them. I'm glad

the Lex is working for you. That must have been kind of rough

wondering if you were going to find something that would help you.

Interestingly enough I don't get a boost from Effexor. I feel 'normal'

whatever that is. Put it like this... I feel like myself again.

>

> Some people need the dual drugs...others don't. It's as individual

as our responses to the different drugs.

>

>

> Barbara

>

>

>

> Re: Compared to other meds

>

>

> Effexor worked wonders for ME TOO !!!

>

> And I'm NOT trying to argue or suggest this will happen to you.....

>

> But after three months of Effexor...(depression free for the first

time in my life)........the bottom dropped out.........it TOTALLY lost

it's effectiveness.

>

> So what if Lex only boosts Serotonin ?

>

> I've taken ALL the SSRI's in the past (x-cept Prozac) and ALL

were inneffective.

>

> But Lexapro is working great....and I KNOW my Serotonin is " up "

because I am seeing " intense colors " .....similar to what happens in

> an LSD trip....(when the brain is FLOODED with Serotonin........)

>

> Just wanna say Lexapro is a good drug (for me at least) and you do

come off just a LITTLE (tiny bit) abrasive when you sort of say

" na-na-na-na-na.....i get a serotonin AND a norepinephrine boost " !

>

>

" serotonon tony "

>

>

> tony.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> How low will we go? Check out Messenger's low PC-to-Phone

call rates.

>

>

[Guest guest]

LOL! Me too. I have a difficult time at times suppressing my sarcastic bent.

My docs have me on various meds as well. I'm on Effexor and have Atarax on hand

for extreme anxiety attacks which I've not really needed for anxiety in a long

time. The Atarax has anti-histamine qualities so works for break through itching

and for times I can't sleep and also helps with the feet problems as well. I

take Zyrtec for itching and recently was put on Neurontin for numbness and

tingling in my feet. Nope, I'm not diabetic so they're trying to figure out

what's causing it. I was also given Tramadol for Carpal Tunnel pain and I'm

looking at surgery in the next few weeks for my right hand and not sure when for

my left. The combination of all these meds has me recently wanting to sleep

about 12 hours a day. Sigh....which isn't normal for me. Talk about a weird

buzz! Wow. Not bad but weird. I don't take them altogether unless I have to. At

night is when my feet are the worst so that should explain alot. The itching

they have no idea what's causing it either. I guess I'm looking at allergy

testing soon too. Yuk. So all in all I'm a bit of mess. ;-)

I don't know if Lex would have helped me or not. I was off meds for a couple of

years before I was put on Effexor. And because of the problems I had with Celexa

my doctor wasn't willing to risk it and neither was I. I'm sooooo grateful the

Effexor worked for me.

No, actually, your post wasn't that confusing. I imagine you write the same way

you speak...like I do. :-)

Barbara

Re: Compared to other meds

>

>

> Effexor worked wonders for ME TOO !!!

>

> And I'm NOT trying to argue or suggest this will happen to you.....

>

> But after three months of Effexor...(depression free for the first

time in my life)........the bottom dropped out.........it TOTALLY lost

it's effectiveness.

>

> So what if Lex only boosts Serotonin ?

>

> I've taken ALL the SSRI's in the past (x-cept Prozac) and ALL

were inneffective.

>

> But Lexapro is working great....and I KNOW my Serotonin is " up "

because I am seeing " intense colors " .....similar to what happens in

> an LSD trip....(when the brain is FLOODED with Serotonin........)

>

> Just wanna say Lexapro is a good drug (for me at least) and you do

come off just a LITTLE (tiny bit) abrasive when you sort of say

" na-na-na-na-na.....i get a serotonin AND a norepinephrine boost " !

>

>

" serotonon tony "

>

>

> tony.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> How low will we go? Check out Messenger's low PC-to-Phone

call rates.

>

>