Which AD can be paired with citalopram?

[merlin fluff]

I am currently on citalopram which is working very well on the depression at a low dose. Unfortunately it makes my anxiety a lot worse, especially with the constant upset tummy I get with it which makes the agoraphobia much worse. My anxiety feels SO MUCH BETTER when I come off it but I get only a month or so before depression comes crashing down

I don't want to keep taking benzos to calm the anxiety.

I kinda discussed with my gp last time about going on another AD at the same time as citalopram that specifically targets anxiety. I said I'd think about it. I see him again soon and think this is a route I'd like to take.

Just wondering if you know what other ADs can be taken with citalopram? Especially sedating ones, that cause constipation and have no postural hypotension as a side effect (phenelzine nearly killed me ). I like to look up drugs before taking them as it negates some of my great fear of medications.. though I know my doctor will have the last say in what i take!!

Elly

[Unregistered]

I'm taking trimipramine (an old school tricyclic) which is sedating ( I suffer from terminal insomnia at times). The only downside is that either that or citalopram lists postural hypotension as a side effect, although to be fair, I haven't suffered from this at all.

[chimpmaster]

Something like Remeron or Tolvon would pair nicely with an ssri like celexa.

Only problem is weight gain; but not everybody gets it and it can be minimised at low doses.

[merlin fluff]

Thanks guys.

Chimpmaster - I've been on remeron before, and had totally forgotten about it. It had no anti depressant effect at all so I was taken off it, but I do remember about it being sedating and having few side effects (a big one for me). I think I'll ask my gp if I can go back on it for a while as I know I can tolerate it well. I feel much calmer and happier now I have a plan!!

Oh, and I REALLY DON'T CARE about weight gain, if that's the pay off for being able to function better anxiety wise - I shall gladly pay it!

[Lucky21]

I am currently on citalopram which is working very well on the depression at a low dose. Unfortunately it makes my anxiety a lot worse, especially with the constant upset tummy I get with it which makes the agoraphobia much worse. My anxiety feels SO MUCH BETTER when I come off it but I get only a month or so before depression comes crashing down

I don't want to keep taking benzos to calm the anxiety.

I kinda discussed with my gp last time about going on another AD at the same time as citalopram that specifically targets anxiety. I said I'd think about it. I see him again soon and think this is a route I'd like to take.

Just wondering if you know what other ADs can be taken with citalopram? Especially sedating ones, that cause constipation and have no postural hypotension as a side effect (phenelzine nearly killed me ). I like to look up drugs before taking them as it negates some of my great fear of medications.. though I know my doctor will have the last say in what i take!!

Elly

Citalopram or Celexa is basically the same thing as Lexapro (escitalpram oxalate). There is some scientific thing they did that is suppose to make Lexapro a more clean AD with lighter side effects. If you google you'll find the answers. Anyhow, most people feel that Lexapro is a calming AD. You said your doing fine on a low dose for depression. Have you considered a increase in dose? Celexa is suppose to work well for Depression with Anxiety.

Celexa is a SRRI so it hits the seratonin, so you options are limited since it isn't wise to take medications hitting the same neurotransmitters. One option is Wellbutrin which hits dopamine and isn't known to be sedating and will probably make.

Another option is Buspar.

BuSpar (buspirone hydrochloride) The anecdotal evidence amongst people we know who have taken BuSpar is it works fine, as long as you're taking an antidepressant along with it. By itself it did nothing. But there was a noticeable effect when BuSpar is added to an antidepressant. It doesn't seem to matter which neurotransmitters are getting messed with, as long as it's an already working antidepressant. BuSpar blocks the 5HT 1a receptor, which is believed to help block anxiety aggravated by antidepressants. Bristol-Myers-Squibb. For more information:

Most everything I have read on AD's especially the SRRI's is they should be effective at reducing anxiety since often it is a component of depression. Most of the SRRI's also seem to make the anxiety worse in the begining until you reach a steady stay and level off which at the norm can take 4-8 weeks at a theraputic dose.

I almost get the impression that you seem to start and stop taking your medication from your post. Often you feel the positive effects of the meds well beofre the side effects go away...tummy troubles....increased anxiety etc. It sucks but it goes away.

Are you looking for a sedating med for sleep?

I see your gp is your prescribing Dr? May want to consult a pdoc in regards to your med issues and whats best to address them. How long have you been taking citalopram?

[merlin fluff]

Citalopram or Celexa is basically the same thing as Lexapro (escitalpram oxalate). There is some scientific thing they did that is suppose to make Lexapro a more clean AD with lighter side effects. If you google you'll find the answers. Anyhow, most people feel that Lexapro is a calming AD. You said your doing fine on a low dose for depression. Have you considered a increase in dose? Celexa is suppose to work well for Depression with Anxiety.

Celexa is a SRRI so it hits the seratonin, so you options are limited since it isn't wise to take medications hitting the same neurotransmitters. One option is Wellbutrin which hits dopamine and isn't known to be sedating and will probably make.

Another option is Buspar.

BuSpar (buspirone hydrochloride) The anecdotal evidence amongst people we know who have taken BuSpar is it works fine, as long as you're taking an antidepressant along with it. By itself it did nothing. But there was a noticeable effect when BuSpar is added to an antidepressant. It doesn't seem to matter which neurotransmitters are getting messed with, as long as it's an already working antidepressant. BuSpar blocks the 5HT 1a receptor, which is believed to help block anxiety aggravated by antidepressants. Bristol-Myers-Squibb. For more information:

Most everything I have read on AD's especially the SRRI's is they should be effective at reducing anxiety since often it is a component of depression. Most of the SRRI's also seem to make the anxiety worse in the begining until you reach a steady stay and level off which at the norm can take 4-8 weeks at a theraputic dose.

I almost get the impression that you seem to start and stop taking your medication from your post. Often you feel the positive effects of the meds well beofre the side effects go away...tummy troubles....increased anxiety etc. It sucks but it goes away.

Are you looking for a sedating med for sleep?

I see your gp is your prescribing Dr? May want to consult a pdoc in regards to your med issues and whats best to address them. How long have you been taking citalopram?

Hiya,

Well, I've been on celexa for about 5 years. I've only stopped it TWICE in all this time and that was around christmas time, and once 2 years ago. I had not been depressed for about 3 years so thought I would be ok coming off it. Big mistake, I had a bout of severe suicidal depression. So I am back on it. I am mostly non-depressed on 10mg (half a tablet) daily. If I go much higher I get severe agitation, insomnia etc (2 out of 3 psychs believe I'm bipolar). The side effects of diahorrea have not gone away in the 5 years I've taken it, it's just unfortunate that it's the ONLY antidepressant that has worked for me after a 7 year hospitalisation for very severe MI problems. The anxiety and agitation seem to be things I have to live with to keep my depression at bay.

The list below shows the number of AD I've tried for depression, celexa is the ONLY one that works so I can't come off it. BuSpar I have also been on for about a year, it did nothing

My sleep is ok, I wanted an AD to calm me in general as I live with daily agitation and anxiety.

Yes, I see a local GP. I'm agoraphobic and can't make the hour long trip to my nearest psych in town so I have no choice exept to see my gp. Though he can get into contact with a psych himself if needed.

So, no I dont stop and start meds, I'm not that stupid and no, not all the side effects of celexa have ever gone away and it doesnt seem to work particularly well on my anxiety, making it worse in fact. I've been from 10mg right up to 60mg with increasing bad side effects and intolerence.

Elly

[Maceo]

I'm think trazadone (aka desyrel) or mirtazapine (aka remeron). they r both sedating antidepressants which could augment citalopram or u could add an atypical antipsychotic like zyprexa, seroquel etc which can help with the depression and they r sedating so they help anxiety and insomnia.