AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question My wife is currently taking lexipro.We would like to know if there is a generic brand for lexipro?My wifes' health benefits expired after her layoff from work and lexipro is very expensive.Our doctors' office is closed today so I can't ask her.Is there something cheaper that works as well as lexipro?
Answer Steve
A mix of bad and hopefully good news on this question.
There is no generic form of Lexapro (Escitalopram) on the market at the moment, and there is unlikely to be one for many years.
The product is a profiteering / patent extension introduced by the drugs company to protect their market share when the original drug Citalopram (aka Celexa / Cipramil) came off patent. Essentially Lexapro is a "purified" version of Citalopram in that the tablets only contain one form of the drug rather than a mix of isomers (mirror images) - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escitalopram
So while your wife will not be able to get a generic Escitalopram, there should now be several Citalopram generics available at significantly lower prices. The dose of Citalopram would probably have to be increased, because the tablets contain 50% of the active isomer and 50% of the inactive (Escitalopram is 100% of the active), but she may find that with her doctor's and your support, she may be able to reduce the dose.
Although the manufacturers may claim that Escitalopram may have fewer side effects than Citalopram, that may just be marketing spin. However your wife should be aware that there is a slim possibility.
