Antidepressant ? UPDATE

[JonesinIndiana]

I just started on the generic form of Celexa 20mg and I'm having gastro issues. :( I am taking 1/2 pill for 6 days, and I'm on day 4 of 1/2 pill. I'm missing work because it is so bad.

 

Please tell me this side effect will go away! I think the medicine is working but not sure I can continue it with this side effect.

 

Thank you.

 

UPDATE:

The gastro side effects have gone away. I feel so much better! I can't believe how even-keeled I am now and the sadness (that I didn't even realize HOW sad I was!) is gone. I think I have needed this for a long, long time.

 

Thank you all for your help.

Edited March 4, 2016 by JonesinIndiana

[BooksandBoys]

Hmm. I don't recall having that side effect, so either it went away quickly or I didn't react that way. I took generic Celexa for several years.

[Mergath]

I was on Celexa for years before I switched to Lexapro, and I had a whole range of nasty side effects that went away within a couple weeks of starting it. The only side effects that hung around for me were low libido and always feeling hungry.

 

Fwiw, Lexapro is very similar to Celexa, and for me it works better with fewer side effects, though the cost is considerably more if you don't have good prescription coverage.

[bodiesmom]

I think side effects are so incredibly dependent on the individual. I'd give it some time along with a quick phone call to your doc just so he could reassure you or steer you towards another brand. When I first started the generic form of Celexa, I became so tired that it was dangerous for me to drive (and this was only 2.5 mg, yes, 2 point 5 mg). It lasted a good week until my body became used to it.

Keep going the distance- the uploading part is hard. 😟

[AmandaVT]

I just started on the generic form of Celexa 20mg and I'm having gastro issues. :( I am taking 1/2 pill for 6 days, and I'm on day 4 of 1/2 pill. I'm missing work because it is so bad.

 

Please tell me this side effect will go away! I think the medicine is working but not sure I can continue it with this side effect.

 

Thank you.

 

I had horrible side effects from Celexa - I was taking 1/2 a 10mg and felt like I had a horrible combination of morning sickness and a horrible hangover. My Dr switched me to Lexapro (Celexa's cousin basically) and I haven't had any side effects. She said that rarely Celexa really doesn't agree with people and I was one of them. 

[Tiramisu]

Someone dear to me had the same side effect on celexa. She switched to Lexapro and had no issues.

[imagine.more]

In my experience Celexa's side effects the first 2-4 weeks are a beast and then it all goes away and it's all good. Try sticking it out for a month and see if things settle down.

[muttmomma]

I agree. The side effects should fade into the background. Watch the eating, though.. I gained a ton!

 

I take lexapro now

[cintinative]

I'm on Celexa and don't have those symptoms. I do have the low libido and sudden sweaty armpits.  

 

The funny thing is, I didn't do well on Lexapro. It's so interesting how all our different bodies respond to medicine. 

 

I did have a real problem with a generic of another medicine once when the pharmacy switched it (the other one was unavailable). I actually had neuropathy symptoms. It was the same drug, just different "fillers", etc. A bit scary and eye opening about listening to my body when I take a "new to me" drug.   If I were you I would ask about switching if you are not better just as long as you are sure you didn't pick up the gastro illness of the week (it is winter, at least here).

[JonesinIndiana]

Thank you for the replies. I don't want to switch to Lexapro because I'm using Walm@rts $4 RX. Lexapro isn't on it. I will try to stick it out. I work again on Thursday, hopefully things will be better.

[luuknam]

I was on Celexa for years before I switched to Lexapro, and I had a whole range of nasty side effects that went away within a couple weeks of starting it. The only side effects that hung around for me were low libido and always feeling hungry.

 

Fwiw, Lexapro is very similar to Celexa, and for me it works better with fewer side effects, though the cost is considerably more if you don't have good prescription coverage.

 

Lexapro did nothing for me one way or another (other than decrease libido). That said, generic Lexapro costs only about $10/month (I just checked prices at healthwarehouse.com)... which is a lot more than $4/month, but not crazy expensive. I'm on Celexa and I don't seem to have any side effects. I don't recall having any side effects when I started it either. As a rule of thumb, SSRI side effects often go away after 1-2 weeks (after starting it, or after a dose increase, so if you're going to increase the dose every week for a few weeks you might keep side effects longer). You might want to ask your pharmacist about whether you should take it with food, and if certain kinds of food (fatty, starchy, w/e) might be better/worse to take it with. I take mine after breakfast, but that's because I take other stuff at the same time that should be taken with food.

[AmandaVT]

Thank you for the replies. I don't want to switch to Lexapro because I'm using Walm@rts $4 RX. Lexapro isn't on it. I will try to stick it out. I work again on Thursday, hopefully things will be better.

 

That was the only downside - I enjoyed the $4 pricetag more than what I'm paying for Lexapro. It is only $10 at walmart, which isn't too bad thankfully.

[Mergath]

Lexapro did nothing for me one way or another (other than decrease libido). That said, generic Lexapro costs only about $10/month (I just checked prices at healthwarehouse.com)... which is a lot more than $4/month, but not crazy expensive. I'm on Celexa and I don't seem to have any side effects. I don't recall having any side effects when I started it either. As a rule of thumb, SSRI side effects often go away after 1-2 weeks (after starting it, or after a dose increase, so if you're going to increase the dose every week for a few weeks you might keep side effects longer). You might want to ask your pharmacist about whether you should take it with food, and if certain kinds of food (fatty, starchy, w/e) might be better/worse to take it with. I take mine after breakfast, but that's because I take other stuff at the same time that should be taken with food.

 

The out-of-pocket price for a month of generic lexapro at the Walgreens here is over $300. 

[LucyStoner]

It's all very variable on the person and the dose. I would assume the prescribing doc wants to followup with you? If you don't have a follow up scheduled, call and talk to the doctor or make an appointment.

[JonesinIndiana]

It's all very variable on the person and the dose. I would assume the prescribing doc wants to followup with you? If you don't have a follow up scheduled, call and talk to the doctor or make an appointment.

Yes, I do have a follow up in mid February. I sent an email to them about the issues and asked if I could continue to stay on a 1/2 pill (it is 20mg so it would be a 10mg) at least until I get in and the MD can write a new RX for it. I should hear back from them on Monday.

 

In the meantime, we just had plumbing issues. Neither toilet would flush and showers weren't draining, so we had to stay at my sister's house. 😫 Fortunately, it was a quick and relatively inexpensive fix.

[LucyStoner]

Yes, I do have a follow up in mid February. I sent an email to them about the issues and asked if I could continue to stay on a 1/2 pill (it is 20mg so it would be a 10mg) at least until I get in and the MD can write a new RX for it. I should hear back from them on Monday.

 

In the meantime, we just had plumbing issues. Neither toilet would flush and showers weren't draining, so we had to stay at my sister's house. 😫 Fortunately, it was a quick and relatively inexpensive fix.

Plumbing problems never hit at otherwise good moments, do they?!

 

I am glad you have a followup on the books and are in touch with your doctor.

 

Waiting for you meds to work and finding the right one can be such a hard thing. It's like by the time one seeks help, we all just need it to work alright already. I hope the side effects resolve soon and you feel better overall soon.

 

I have never found an SSRI that will work for me without intolerable sexual side effects. Fortunately I have found that when I do need an antidepressant I can take a different type of medication.