Posted by pharmrep on August 21, 2002, at 16:48:03
In reply to Dr. Dave - where did you get your info?, posted by Bill L on August 21, 2002, at 15:53:13
> Dr Dave - I have read about the studies on Lexapro but did not see what you claimed to be true. You said that out of a 40mg pill of Celexa, that 20mg is inert. Where did you read that?
>
> I have read that the other isomer is not effective against depression, but I have not read that it is inert.
>
> On the contrary, I have read about 2 different possible actions of the R isomer:
> 1) it may cause side effects
> 2) it may interfere with the S isomer (possibly by competing for binding sites or some other mechanism)
>
> You claimed that the R isomer is inert and that 20 mg of Lexapro is therefore equivalent to 40mg of Celexa. Since your facts go against other stuff that I have read (ie. items 1 and 2 above), can you tell me your sources? Thanks.** I see a lot more objectivity these days. Did you see the C. Sanchez study done (microdialysis study comparing citalopram (celexa), s-citalopram (lexapro), r-citalopram and placebo?) In this study it was expected that equivalent increases in serotonin levels within the brain would be seen since 4mg of citalopram contains 2mg of s-cit, and 2mg of r-cit; however, s-cit (at 2mg) increased serotonin levels by about 300% as opposed to only about 200% increase in the celexa at 4mg. This finding indicates that the r-cit actually interferes with the ablility of the s-cit to increase serotonin levels in the brain. It is not known why yet, and additional studies are being done.
poster:pharmrep
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/117282.html