Switching from 10mg escitalopram to 20mg citalopram

Hi all, I was prescribed escitalopram (10mg) by a psychiatrist a couple of weeks ago and now that they have run out I went to my gp and she has now given me a prescription for 20mg citalopram instead saying both meds are 'basically the same'. Firstly what does that even mean? I've had horrific sde effects with the escitalopram ad I'm jut about getting used to them. I'm terrified to change of it means I'm gonna go through more
horrid side effects, am hoping it's all the same :-( help.

Secondly, I'm about 8 stone and 5"4/5 so I'm pretty tiny, is 20mg not too much for me? Eek!

Thanks all xxx

Ps. I should add I'm on meds for anxiety not depression

Hiya I was prescribed Escitopram 20mg by my Psychiatrist in October last year.

my friend isca nurse and she said they cost £25.00 per pack where the Citalopram are a lot cheaper, maybe that why.

what side effects have you had? x

Yeah I heard it was because citalopram was cheaper but I wasn't sure.

I've had real problems sleeping, nausea, conplete loss of appetite and feel even more anxious than before! All quite common though apparently x

I havent really felt any better being on them I still feel Anxious and Panicky all of the time.
Do you think they are working for you? x

Hi h_t,

I have had the reverse situation. I went to my gp first who put me on 20mg Citalopram and later my psychiatrist switched me to 20mg Escitalopram.

I did ask him the same question about the side effects and he assured me that I wouldn't go through them a second time, and he was right.

The Escitalopram is supposed to be more powerful than the Citalopram (maximum dose for Escitalopram is 20mg, Citalopram 60mg!) so an increase to 20mg of Citalopram for you seems absolutely reasonable.

The Escitalopram is a "purest" version of Citalopram (whatever that means!) and as Kerry says it is more expensive (I have paid for my first month and I was charged £40 for 28 tablets! :scared15:).

I hope this puts your mind at rest slightly.

Marco.

PS: You can read this for more info on the difference between Escitalopram and Citalopram: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pharmacy-...citalopram.htm