Paxil to Lexapro

[SueR]

Hi Guys!
I know I was here about 4 weeks ago with the Lexapro question. But, I have to ask all who switched over, How long did you keep taking the paxil while taking the lexapro and than weened off the paxil?
Sue

[neogbf]

When I switched from Zoloft 50 mg / day to Celexa 20 mg / day (equivalent doses), I asked my doctor when to stop taking the former drug. He told me immediately, they should be substituted. It's fairly dangerous to combine SSRI drugs because of the risk of serotonin syndrome, so take care.

[neogbf]

I just need to add, since the drugs all have a *similar* effect, in the sense of serotonin uptake inhibition, you don't need to keep taking your Paxil. You may experience a very mild withdrawal because Lexapro targets slightly different parts of the whole serotonergic system, but it should be nothing troublesome.

[Scott]

i was off paxil after a 3 month taper for about 3 months before i had to go on lexapro because i just couldn't handle it. I started on 2.5mg and went to 5mg. I never took more than that. My ears rang for 2 months pretty bad and i had that "i'm on a drug feeling" constantly but it's what i had to do. I was on lexapro after having tried to stop it 2 or 3 times for a year before finally stopping everything. That would make my ssri taper time about 16.5 months... but i was on a long time and had just finished a xanax taper.

[SueR]

Originally Posted by neogbf

When I switched from Zoloft 50 mg / day to Celexa 20 mg / day (equivalent doses), I asked my doctor when to stop taking the former drug. He told me immediately, they should be substituted. It's fairly dangerous to combine SSRI drugs because of the risk of serotonin syndrome, so take care.

Did you have any problems when you switched and is the lexapro working for you?

[Homerbcool]

lexapro...sounds like the professional model..

[neogbf]

Absolutely no problems switching from one to the other. However, I don't think the Celexa kicked in for four weeks, but there was no perceivable difference in my mood during those four weeks. After that period, I had a HUGE dip in my mood... Then things got better.

[SueR]

Originally Posted by neogbf

Absolutely no problems switching from one to the other. However, I don't think the Celexa kicked in for four weeks, but there was no perceivable difference in my mood during those four weeks. After that period, I had a HUGE dip in my mood... Then things got better.

I started on Paxil 20 mg and started tapering in October, I hit 5 mg. and crashed. I am and have been a wreck for about a month and half. I went about month ago to the doctors and he prescibed me lexapro to get off the paxil However, here is my problem. I haven't started taking it yet. Why? I have a phobia of medicines. And, even more so now with the paxil. I need courage to start.

The doctor told me to start the lexapro and drop the paxil one week after I start the lexapro. No longer. He use to be a pharmacist and I have so much trust him. I don't trust the medicines. I am so zoned and anxious .... I need to do this.

So, I just need the courage.

[Believer]

I'm in the same boat. Doc today gave me a scrip for lexapro to help with the withdrawal. I'm too scared to fill it. I went off of lexapro before without any problems, but don't know if I want to take anything else right now. Any thoughts????

[Caroline49]

My doctor gave me a scrip for celexa and I got it filled, I'm just too afraid to take it. What do ya'll think?

I really don't know anything about Lexapro, sorry.

[rdjanis]

Believer and Caroline, I only know that some have said the lexapro helped them, Scott the one who was successful with that. I have heard a few people complain that the celexa made matters worse for them, very edgy, anxious.

I think the different meds are trial and error as each person is different. Wish I could offer more.

[elisa]

Originally Posted by pogologo265

SueR,

After Paxil stopped working for me my doctor told me to stop taking it and switched me straight over to Prozac. I didn't like the way the Prozac made me feel so he told me to stop taking it and switched me over to 10 mil of Lexapro a day. I had no withdrawel symptoms from either the Paxil or Prozac. A little later I decided I didn't want to be on this stupid drugs so I just stopped taking the Lexapro and without going through any withdrawel whatsoever.

If I were you I would stop taking the Paxil and start taking the Lexapro. I definitely wouldn't take both. That's a decision that only you can make.

I guess you must be very very lucky!! 30% of people going off or tapering from an antidepressant seem to get NO side-effects.

70% of us do, ranging from mild to severe.

I was switched to numerous antidepressants in the past decade and none worked for me, too many side-effects. The only antidepressants I didn't try were Lexapro, Remeron and (new) Cymbalta.

I believe that one cannot advise or recommend any brand as we are all individuals who react differently to all these AD's.

[Rhonda]

I'd been completely off Paxil for 6 months before not being able to tolerate it anymore and went on Lexapro. Haven't had any adverse reactions to it--yet! But I can completley relate to your fear of taking another drug. It took me a good month to get the courage to do it and had major anxiety just about taking it! Was the scariest thing! But now I have no regrets at all. It has worked for me with very minimal side effects.

[Believer]

Thanks guys - it is a scary decision. I so want to be off of the meds and maybe lexapro will make the transition easier - I may give it a try. But I shouldn't take both and continue to wean????

[zappelina]

Jen! I don´t think taking both is a good idea, you will get an even higher serotonin level and risk bad side effects. You may get mild WD problems afte switching but that will soon go away. Most people seem to find it much easier to stop Lexapro or Celexa than Paxil, Zoloft or Effexor. When I was switched from Paxil to Zoloft, I had no WD from the Paxil. Pity I wasn´t put on Celexa or Lexapro instead of Zoloft. Think my WD would have been a lot easier then, this is killing me.

[Believer]

This is so scary. Part of me wants to just keep forging ahead with the withdrawal, another side of me thinks that maybe lexapro might make the process easier on my body to handle. I was on lexapro before and never had any side effects while on it or going off. I just don't want to take ANY more drugs!!!! I'm going to think about it today before I make any hasty decisions. Thanks for the information.

[elisa]

Originally Posted by pogologo265

Elisa,

I'm sorry if it looked like I was trying to tell this person what do to because that wasn't my intension at all. I guess it looked that way when I said I would stop taking the Paxil. I'll take those words back now and eat them.

No sorry needed pogology!! You know it's easy to recommend something that we had a good experience with, have done it myself so often.

Personally, I had NO good experiences with all these drugs and have been on a merry-go-round myself for 10 years. Something that I certainly would not wish to anyone for it to happen..... See, personal experiences in my response to you as well.....

[DogMama]

I stopped Paxil 3 weeks ago, and immediately started on Lexapro 10mgs.. had some withdrawal (lousy at times) and today, I can say that I'm doing very well.

Yesterday should have put me over the edge, but it didn't. My father left the NJ shore at 9 AM to come home (PA) and he was not home by 5 O'clock I did panic.. but called authorities.. since he has dimentia and heart trouble.

I was on the phone constantly, and son of a gun if he doesn't show up at home (we were waiting there) at 2:30 in the morning, disoriented, but safe. He has no idea what happened and why it took him 17 hours to get home (2 hour trip)...

I did take something to help me sleep, but I kept it together, and am very proud.

I can't tell you what to do, but for me, NO paxil.. 10 mgs of lexapro right away, and finally, I feel pretty good.

Good luck in your decision and change over. If anything, my doc recommended taking 1/2 of my paxil at night.. to wein while on lexapro.

[SueR]

Originally Posted by Caroline49

My doctor gave me a scrip for celexa and I got it filled, I'm just too afraid to take it. What do ya'll think?

I really don't know anything about Lexapro, sorry.

Okay Caroline:

Let's be strong. Friday is the day. I am stopping the paxil and starting the Lexapro.

Thanks for all you guys helping... I am sure I'll be having major panic attack after I take it. But, Be prepared to put up with the OMG's on Friday.
Sue

[Dawn]

I too was given samples and a script for Lexapro but I am like many of you-too afraid to take it.

I'm still on about 2 mgs of paxil. I've been weaning for a long time. A small drop once a month (right after my period starts so that I don't make my major PMS any worse).

When the dr gave me the script for the lexapro he said I should just stop the paxil today and start lexapro tomorrow.

It seems that the lexapro is working for some of you guys - that's encouraging!!!!

Do any of you have any weight gain issues with it?

That's the main reason I'm going off the paxil. 40 lbs in 5 years is horrible.

I thought Lexapro was the mildest of the SSRI's ,
But i came off everything nearly 3 years ago...
I think in the long term , all SSRI's are dangerous.
But if i had no choose lexapro over Paxil , Lexapro was definately the easier to withdraw from and had fewer side effects for me..........

[SueR]

I didn't do the switch.... I am too scared.

[Believer]

No switch for me either - I'm going to get off of paxil and never put an SSRI in me again!!!