Posted by bassman on June 26, 2006, at 16:21:14
In reply to Anyone find difference between celexa and lexapro?, posted by blueberry on June 25, 2006, at 19:09:56
Celexa has two molecules, 50% each, that have the same chemical formula, but have different "shapes" (orientations in space). These are called "optical isomers". One of the isomers is responsibile for Celexa's AD activity and the other one does nothing. Lexapro contains just the isomer that is an AD, without the isomer that does nothing. So in theory, if Celexa worked for you at 40 mg, then Lexapro would work for you at 20 mg, since 50% of the Celexa (the inactive isomer) wasn't doing anything anyway and had been removed. And equivalent doses of Lexapro and Celexa would be expected to have the same side effects.
But, so much for theory! The real question is whether a person sees a difference. I didn't: I needed at least 60 mg Celexa and therefore, 10 mg of Lexapro didn't work but 20 mg did. But then, I knew that was the way it was supposed to be! :>}
poster:bassman
thread:661382
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060623/msgs/661651.html