Wellbutrin & Celexa

[Conlaw]

Hi,

At the advice of my therapist, I asked my psychiatrist to reevaluate my meds. Via telephone, through her nurse, she suggested supplementing my Wellbutrin with Celexa. What can you tell me about this combination of meds? Ever tried it? Any thoughts? Here's the situation:

I've been coasting along taking Wellbutrin & Strattera. A couple weeks ago, due to an insurance snafu, I ran out of Strattera. I stopped taking it, and have decided to take a "rest" from it to see how I feel when I start taking it again.

I've been under an extreme amount of stress lately (son deployed to Iraq, the State - my main source of income - ran out of money to pay me and other independent contractors until new budget takes effect in July and so 80% of my income has stopped for 4.5 months, and my husband and I have been separated for over a year now and it's time to end this stalemate and I am just not up for the drama and the angst).

I visited my therapist last week, and she reviewed with me the symptoms of depression, and to cut to the chase, I'm sinking - fast. That, and my ADD symptoms are in control these days TIA for your input, Susan

[sgolden5374]

My mother is on a combo of wellbutrin and celexa and it does seem to help with her depression. She still has lots of anxiety issues but has gotten over the worst of her depression.

Hope this helps with your decision.

[relvinnian]

Alot of people rave about this combo, they even call it the "Celwell" combo

Bottom line is that SSRI + wellbutrin is a common strategy, and for many people it can be very effective. Just one question, why not lexapro instead of celexa?

[Conlaw]

I'm not sure why celexa rather than lexapro. How do the two compare? Thanks, Susan

[relvinnian]

Originally Posted by Conlaw

I'm not sure why celexa rather than lexapro. How do the two compare? Thanks, Susan

Celexa (citalopram) is a racemic compound like most drugs, consisting of a two mirror structures. With Lexapro (S-citalopram, or as they dubbed it escitalopram) they found that only one side of the mirror is active in re-uptake inhibition, thus producing therapeutic effects. All this basically means is that lexapro is more potent (About twice as potent and 10x more selective) and causes fewer side effects in most people. It's a good med to start with because if it works for you, it's usually the cleanest. People are different though.

They are doing this more and more of this with meds these days, mostly to extend or grab patent rights, but the results are good. For example Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a racemate, but the newer drug Focalin (d-methylphenidate), is the active isomer.

Basically, same med, less side effects

[exeter]

I was on both meds for a few months (actually Lexapro instead of Celexa). In my case, the Lexapro was for anxiety rather than depression. Lexapro didn't do anything at all to me, though. It might as well have been a sugar pill. I hope you have better results.

[Conlaw]

I am happy to report that adding the Celexa made a significant difference. By the second day, I was feeling better. Now, a week and a half later, I'm feeling motivated and enthusiastic about my life again. I'd really been letting things slide, so it feels great to jump back in with both feet. I may or may not try adding the Strattera back in. Susan

[relvinnian]

Congratulations Susan!

One step at a time. Give the "Celwell" 6-8 weeks before you make decision on the Strattera. MHO

Good luck

[anissa]

I was on celexa for years for depression. I worked great. But when the mood swings started the doc switched me to wellbutrin, well then the depression came back. Well after a few months of back and forth they found out i was bipolar. Started me on lamitcal, lexapro and wellbutrin. Recently i was switched back to celexa (which has generic form now) I asked the doc whats the difference. He said there wasn't much difference because they are sister products. So far both work. Lexapro is just more expensive.

[PeaceofaPuzzle]

I am on both Welbutrin and Celexa and a wack of other things. The Welbutrin helps a lot with ADD stuff and the Celexa helps with the depression.

Naomi