Switching from Paxil to Citalopram?

I have been on Paxil for more than 6 years to treat OCD, and recently I found out that I have ADD, I have been told by the specialist to switch to Citalopram, but I am not sure if that is good idea or not and if Paxil can still treat ADD too, I am not happy %100 with Paxil because of two reasons I am always out of energy and can not do sports and the other side effect is decrease of sex drive. please I need some advise

April 26, 2014
Am in extreme hell.
Doctor decided (psychiatrist) (new one) to take me OFF of PAXIL 20 mg and get me on to CELEXA 20 mg.
Have used Paxil for twenty years, with o problems, (social anxiety)

I take care of my 93 year old Mother an amputee, bit of dementia,
and need to be ALERT and STABLE to help her.

SO, he had me cut back 10 mg of Paxil I got sick, and add Celexa at the same time.

I am too upset to write, but just wanted to say, this is cruel and unusual punishment,

Have had racing heart 110 bpm, and feelings of self harm NEVER had that on Paxil 20 mg.

Am thinking of going to the ER, for help, I can't go on this way.

Doc treats me as though I am a brain dead twit.

Is there a reward for him to switch patients to Celexa???

Simply tired and depressed, irritable too.

Thank you for reading,

Lynn, in Toronto, Canada.

It took me a year and a month to go off paxil. It was the worse year of my life. Horrible horrible withdrawal, and they were titrating me off it and on to Lenexa then cymbalta, which I'm still on. I had been on paxil for over twenty years though. And honestly I'm ready to go back on paxil! I've now fibromyalgia which I never had while on Paxil. I'm told cymbalta helps with pain relief, but I've not found that to be true as my muscles ache constantly. Good luck, it was tough to get off of, but I had twenty years on it!

Hi there. My name is Ingrid and live in Las Vegas. Yes, it is after 2 AM and here I am. Been to the Doc after kicking Paxil for 3 wks and now had to take a family leave and got a doc that put me on celexa. Like that word instead of cital anything, lol. After drinking vodka and taking my new cital meds, here I am still. Sex, are u kiidin me? Finally got aroused accidently watching chick flicks and I am not gay. Pretty boobs. I am jealous and yup finally got an orgasm... Well back to the cital crap. I hope this works and the doc says that like a vitamin that I cannot EVER quit it. Really? Thx, Ingrid

Yea, I too was a bit of a mess after switching to Citalopram. It's been 3 weeks now and I've gained a few pounds (4) and still struggle a bit with the side effects which, at first, led me to *greater* depression, not less! My uncertainty about life (in general) has increased, i.e. I'm more anxious which I believe led to my greater depression. But I'm learning to cope with the increased anxiety. It's still not easy but I'd like to give it at least 2 more weeks before deciding to try something else. Does this sound reasonable?
Thanks for the responses.

Hi, i also wanted to ask how you are doing? Are you off the Paxil now? I take Citalopram/Celexa, and have done for 2 or 3 years now. It hasn't affected my sex drive and i don't notice it causing drowsiness or insomnia. I have noticed weight gain though. My depression did get worse when i was going through the transitional phase of starting the Citalopram and i must admit, i was a bit of a mess. I started on 20mg and after 3 weeks i was increased to 40mg and almost immediately felt better! And now i 'love' it. I would definitely recommend people give it a try. I know friends and family who take it also, and they too have had great success.

Hello CrummyVerses i just read your question and was wondering how you are doing with switching your meds? I was on Paxil for 14 years and just had a huge set back in my life as well and my doctor took me off 40mg. Paxil and put me on 10mg. Citalopram HBR just like you did. I was a mess for 5 days on the new medicine i felt I was going nuts had every side effect possible and my depression became worst. so then i was put back on 40mg. Paxil and doctor gave up on me and refered me to a psychiatric doctor. so please let me know how this medicine effected you.

Celexa (citalopram) is a great medicine. I am taking it for OCD and it made my life 110% better. I am a very happy person because of this. I would absolutely reccomend this to anyone suffering from ocd, anxiety, depression etc.. I am only a young teen so it may effect you differently.. god bless, feel better <3

The HBr stands for hydrobromide which is part of the citalopram molecule, it is the same thing. Anyway, antidepressants cause different reactions in different people, some experience insomnia while others experience drowsiness. Antidepressants are notorious for decreasing the sex drive so don't think you have a thing to worry about.