Posted by pharmrep on September 22, 2002, at 0:07:15
In reply to CORRECTED POST (I Think), posted by hawkeye on September 21, 2002, at 20:04:33
> Does this data mean that approx. 7mgs of Lexapro is the functional equivalent of 20mgs of Celexa?
>
> [7mgs of Lex. raises brain seretonin by %1050;
> 20mgs of Cel raises brain seretonin by %1000
>
> "The new study shows that Lexapro (the S-enantiomer of citalopram), when given at 2 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.), was more than twice as potent as Celexa at 4 mg/kg s.c. (2.0 mg/kg S-enantiomer + 2.0 mg/kg R-enantiomer) in increasing brain serotonin levels (about 300 percent vs. 200 percent, respectively). In contrast to Lexapro, the R-enantiomer of citalopram, when given at 2.5 mg/kg s.c., did not increase brain serotonin levels."
>
> http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020624/nym009_1.html
>
> It has been my understanding that while 40mgs of Celexa is the recomended dosage, that comparable results may also be obtained at 20mgs.
>
> "The effectiveness of citalopram in preventing relapse was assessed in two long-term studies. Depressed patients who responded to citalopram during an initial 6 or 8 weeks of acute treatment (fixed doses of 20 or 40 mg/day in one study and flexible doses of 20-60 mg/day in the second study) were randomized to continue on citalopram or receive placebo. The number of patients who received citalopram and placebo was 257 and 116, respectively. In both studies, patients who continued on citalopram experienced significantly lower relapse rates over the subsequent 6 months compared to those receiving placebo. In the fixed-dose study, the relapse rates were similar at the 20 and 40 mg/day doses, namely 10% and 12%, respectively. "
>
> http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-c04.html#Head_3
>
> So, maybe 5mgs of Celexa Professional Edition will be enough. Or, 7mgs will be more than enough (by dividing a 10mg tablet and then subdividing one half again)** if Lexapro is "comparable to placebo" with side effects, adverse events, and has a quick onset...why are you wanting to use less? I know that not everybody responds the same, and that 10mg will work for the majority of people...using less than 10mg should be for those patients in the minority who are showing a "sensitivity" different than most other people. Wouldnt you agree?
poster:pharmrep
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020914/msgs/120682.html