AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question I currently take 20mg of Lexapro for anxiety disorder with underlying depression. The Lexapro doesn't seem to be working very well for my anxiety as it doesn't seem to be working really effectively. I don't have a lot of side effects except if I miss a dose or two then i get really foggy in the head and dizzy.
My Dr. reccomends that I try Celexa and that I do not have to taper the Lexapro just switch to Celexa. Is that okay to do? Also I am terrified (probably the anxiety talking) of side effects from the Celexa as I have never taken it before, and wonder how coming off of it will be should I ever get pregnant in the future. I also suffer from Crohns disease and want to make sure this doesn't get effected either. Any advise would be very helpful.
Thanks
Kim
Answer Dear Kim
Cemically speaking these two drugs are almost identical but different people respond better to to one than the other. There is no need to be terrified about the change. There are no problems with Crohn's disease with eother one but if you get or plan pregnancy speak to your doctor first about copming off them which is usually not a roblem if done under medical supervision. Not that they are highly problematic in pregnanvy but they are best avoided if possible.
