I was on Lexapro for years - 20mg 1xprday. Due to the increase in cost I went back to Paxil. I'm not sure if they are really in the same family and have noticed a difference in my overall demeanor and have gained a "healthy" 7 pounds. What is the difference and is Citalopram (generic for Celexa) a better and closer match to Lexapro?
Difference between lexapro and citalopram?
Question posted by vlohanesian on 11 Nov 2012
Last updated on 25 November 2022 by Wiley111
11 Answers
Wiley111
24 Nov 2022
Citalopram is the generic form of Celexa.
Escitalopram is the generic form of Lexapro.
Anytime you see a drug name beginning with "es", it is a mirror of an earlier released drug.
In some cases, the mirror is created just to extend the patent time but in other cases, the mirror turns out to be a better drug which I believe is the case with Esomeprazole and Escitalopram.
Citalopram has always been used as an anti-depressant, but is only prescribed off-label for anxiety. Escitalopram is advertised as being effective for both. Personally, I believe Escitalopram to be the better choice for anxiety. I've been taking it, on and off, for nearly 10 years.
Be aware that the recommended adult dose of Citalopram is 20 mg, but for Escitalopram it is just 10 mg.
A 30-day supply of Escitalopram is $15 at Walmart using a free GoodRX card.
A 30-day supply of Citalopram is $4 at Walmart using a free GoodRX card.
123don321
24 Nov 2022
I know nothing about Lexapro but FYI - I have been on Citalopram for 3 months and although no one believes me, since I started taking it I have lost 15 pounds with no change in activity or diet. The lymphedema swelling in my feet and ankles has completely disappeared and I now don't wear any compression socks. The drawbacks are diarrhea and total loss of sexual desire and function. Oh well, no wife or girlfriend anyway. I have decided to put up with the drawbacks because weightloss and not having to wear compression socks are more important to me.
WildcatVet
24 Nov 2022
Talk to your doctor about these side effects. They are treatable if you wish to remain on the medication. I KNOW from my own experience .
Wildcat
TallieB
1 Dec 2018
Why do they always list as a side effect "weight changes"? When what they mean is you will gain 40 or 50 pounds? If you aren't depressed before you certainly will be then.
WildcatVet
1 Dec 2018
"Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite, increased appetite, weight increased"
"Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, decreased/increased weight, decreased/increased appetite"
"Common (1% to 10%): Weight gain, weight loss, decreased appetite, anorexia"
"Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (up to 17%)
Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite, increased appetite, weight loss"
"Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, increased/decreased appetite, weight increased/decreased"
These were all copied from the side effects of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants.
They say weight CHANGES because less than 10% of users may experience weight LOSS or weight GAIN.
riddock
27 Aug 2016
Lexapro ,let me tell you is newer that don't make it better , side effects on Escitalopram generic or real Lexapro are brutal. muscle ache being really bad , you feel 90 year old , sex is worse , I have no trouble with citalopram . but Lexapro you never orgasm even manually. so don't think because it cost more money its better , in fact in ENGLAND they have stopped the generic now ,they never had the real Lexapro , but the generic poops out Megga fast and is busting with side effects, I was on it and went down to a tiny 5mg and it still screwed me over
WildcatVet
27 Aug 2016
I never had a single side effect in over 4 years of taking Lexapro. In fact, on average, less than 10% of users experience side effects.
Cara51
9 April 2017
The biggest difference with the 2 you are discussing is that Citalopram (Celexa) has shown to sometimes make people feel WORSE for about 2 weeks before improvement, while usually Escitalopram (Lexapro) works well within a few weeks. I've been taking anti-depressants for 24 years: SSRIs, SNRIs and Tricyclics, and it is a completely individual matter -- each person is different, we each have a different body chemistry and metabolism and will react differently. I've even taken the same medication at different times in my life and had a very different response: e.g. Escitalopram used to help me a LOT for months, but at the moment even after 2 months on 20mg I still feel depressed AND anxious.
It is WRONG for anyone, esp in a hospital (!) to give you one of these as a replacement for another even temporarily. Don't expect someone to always know their own job - you have to live inside your own head, not them.
My advice is to be PROACTIVE as you can (yes, a big task when you are feeling bad). Get as much info as you can from various sources. For English speakers access US, Canadian and Australian websites and also the NHS and the British National Formulary (the UK's PDR) to compare side effects, contraindications, warnings etc. Buy the latest copy of "Complete Guide to Prescription and Non-prescription Drugs" published in the US. My sister in Maryland often buys from Canadian websites at lower prices. In the UK of course, all prescriptions are either very cheap (about $10) or free.
Don't expect any one healthcare person, even a psychiatrist, to give you ALL the relevant and accurate information. Since my depression has become more resistant to medication with age, if I had not moved to the UK years ago I would visit the National Center for Whole Psychiatry, which has the most state of the art attitude to the treatment of depression in the world.
Cara51
9 April 2017
Your information is very misleading Riddock and in fact, WRONG. Each person's experience is unique and INDIVIDUAL - I have taken each of these medications on and off (as well as others) for 24 years and NEVER had side effects that you talk about. A generic medicine (non-branded and often much cheaper) is ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENT from a branded one! And they HAVE had branded Lexapro as well as generic, here in the UK for years! The NHS often imports drug brands from France. It sounds to me like you are suffering badly from something else besides "Adult Depressive Disorder" if you are having all these reactions -- you need to talk to a good psychiatrist to find out the best treatment for you.
Princessfreak75
19 July 2018
I have taken generic lexapro for years. I have never had a problem sexually ever. Now I'm on generic celexa because I felt like my depression was getting worse and the lexapro wasn't working like it use to. Your body gets used to meds regardless what kind it is and sometimes when it does it dont work the same.
BeyondGoo
12 Jan 2019
I took general escitalopram (loxalate) in sydney australia. The drug at 10mg was great for panic attacks and workes within a week. Later upped to 20mg after 2 weeks, sight improvement on already good result. Side effects are pretty obvious and persistent.. But we have to not be whingers as the drug really helped me in a very stressful time when my nervous system just collapsed.
Main side effects i experienced...
Zero sex drive 24/7 no problem with erection but cannot ejaculate, i masturbate for 30min with my hard on but never ejaculate and got very worried and frustrated and my sexual frustration added to my anxiety... Tried very hard till i gave up. Its like climbing a mountain to get to the climax. This improved after 1 month but every time i sat down in front of the computer i was ready for a challenge not knowing if i will reach the summit.
Huge in increase in appetite therefore weight gain. I ate 4 big meals a day and snacked on junk food all day. This drive is very strong, trust me you cannot fight it, never had i experienced such gluttony and i am man who used to only eat 2 meals a day.. Lucky im a skinny guy. I makes to desire sweets.
Some brain zaps, this drug is know for it. I also get runny poo, not tummy ache , but poo is just runny...
Theres a few other small things.. I didnt get nausea, headache, or vertigo or drowsyness.
The main feeling is that it gives you a lot of stamina, its like you dont feel tired even though i would like to especially after a days work, so sometimes at 11pm i feel as strong as 11am and this causes some insomnia because you body doesnt seem to go through these active and rest cycles, it just hums along not high or low... Which has its good point, but probably not best if you are trying to sleep.
Thats mu experience hope it helps
billkw41
24 Sep 2014
I too was on Lexapro 20mg, for several years. Citalopram is actually the generic for Celexa. Ask your Doctor for Escitalopram which is the generic for Lexapro. I have taken Escitalopram 20mg.for about as long as it has been available and it works as well as Lexapro for me.
billkw
Diamonte
16 Feb 2014
I understand that Citalopram and Lexapro are in the same family but Lexapro is a newer version; Citalopram having more side effects.
kimichi
11 Nov 2012
Everyone here is spot on as usual. I'd like to talk about the cost. As soon as they came out with a generic for lexapro the insurance company wanted me to take the generic since it is way cheaper. I love to save money, who doesn't , so I tried it. Even with the same mg (20) it stopped working after a few hours and had terrible side effects that I never experianced in my 6 years of taking lexapro. I tried two other brands of generic with the same results. I was irritable had migraines that wouldn't go away as well as ssri withdrawls... Nasuea, brain zaps etc... It took some work but I finally got my doctor to tell the insurance company that I HAD to have the name brand... They still denied it but my dr.
Noticed I wasn't doing good so he told them straight up "if you don't approve the name brand she will end up in the hospital for withdrawls and it will cost ten fold" now I pay about 1/3 of the cost for lexapro and hope I never have to take the generic or celexa again. Hope this helps people, don't ever take a tole on your health just because an insurance company is being a cheapskate. Lexapro is a god send and I hope you are feeling better soon. Much love <3
Delila
11 Nov 2012
Hi, i came across this explanation & thought it might help you to understand the difference... "Hi, both Citalopram and Escitalopram are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The difference between the two drugs is on the chemical level. I will not bother you with the explanation of this difference but basically, Escitalopram is an active form contained in Citalopram. Because of this the mechanism of action is the same. But, since Escitalopram does not contain the inactive component found in Citalopram, it is a more selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. This means that Escitalopram works more effectively in treatment of depression. However, these advantages are not that significant in patients that are responding well to Citalopram therapy. This would mean that in your case there is no need for the change in the therapy."
Delila
28 Sep 2014
Hi, since posting this answer, it has come to my attention, and doctors, that Citalopram (Celexa) seems more suited to treating depression, and Lexapro (Escitalopram) seems more suited to anxiety...
Harryhood
21 Nov 2014
I have a question about this. I take Lexapro 20mg daily as prescribed by my psychiatrist.
In the hospital today for a medical issue. When I went to take my morning dose of Lexapro I noticed it was different. I asked the nurse and she said that it was Celexa bc the hosp doesn't have Lexapro.
Luckily, I had some in my bag and took my Lexapro.
I was bothered that 1. Nobody informed me that they don't have Lexapro when I reported my current meds numerous times and 2. The nurse didn't tell me it was Celexa and not Lexapro.
Is this a big deal? What would you have done?
Thanks!
Delila
21 Nov 2014
Hi, Harryhood, that's terrible! I would consult your primary doctor about this. You may experience some side effects, such as anxiety or nausea if you switch to Celexa, but the main thing i worry about is that this isn't the right medication for you so it won't work as well for treating your condition
kcfp
11 Nov 2012
Yes it is in the same class of drugs known as ssri. The only distinguishing thing is Lexapro has one more molecule than Citalopram.
Cara51
12 Jan 2019
I've taken 12 different anti-depressants in 25 years. The above comment is correct but I found Lexapro (generic name Escitalopram) to be MUCH better than Citalopram -- fewer side effects. One of the side effects of Citalopram is that you can still feel very down for weeks before you feel better. Escitalopram is a slightly improved version of Citalopram (which is cheaper). But I do have a few friends on the latter who are happy with it.
Paxil is a TERRIBLE drug that should be taken off the market. It is used in the UK on the NHS simply because it's cheaper, as you have found. It does make you very hungry and tired and I actually found no improvement in mood.
They are both SSRIs but different people react to different SSRIs differently. The newest group of anti-depressants that I've found the most useful are SNRIs (Selective Serotonin & Noradrenalin Re-uptake Inhibitors). You have to decide how important it is for you to feel well vs how much you can afford, unfortunately. My mood is CRUCIAL for me so I try to get the one that makes me feel best.
The available SNRIs are the following. I've taken Venlafaxine and Duloxetine and have taken the latter for several years now with the best results and few side effects. The SNRIs also help if socializing is a problem for you; Noradrenalin enables you to feel slightly stronger emotionally:
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
Milnacipran (Ixel, Savella)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
LaurieShay
11 Nov 2012
All the mentioned antidepressants are of the SSRI group. Celexa (citalopram) and Lexapro (escitalopram) are the closest in chemical structure.
kaismama
11 Nov 2012
They are in the same family.
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