Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Roy Joseph on September 15, 2006, at 9:13:00
I have been treated for OCD/GAD and mild depression on/off for the past eight years. Recently, I went back on medication -this time to Lexapro - but was unable to get up to a dose necessary to really help with the OCD. (I have also done extensive therapy and have been strongly committed to CBT and doing the homework).
Currently, I am on 7.5mg of Lexapro, but cannot go any higher without irregular heartbeats, dizziness, and terrible migraines. Together, my doc and I thought that Prozac (a drug used in the past) would help. I am also taking Nefazodone 150mg a day. My concern is switching to Prozac because of the following:
1). If I simply substitute (with no weaning on/weaning off) the Prozac for the Lex, will I likely have a relapse of the OCD?
2). If a relapse is likely, is it better to slowly wean off Lexapro while slowly adding in Prozac?
3). Will the Serzone help mitigate any negative withdrawal effects of Lexapro?
Thanks much!
Posted by fca on September 15, 2006, at 10:42:43
In reply to Opinions on switching from Lex to Prozac, posted by Roy Joseph on September 15, 2006, at 9:13:00
My clinical situation is very similar to yours--After imprudently going off medication a year ago I experienced a major relapse about six months ago--after 2 1/2 months on lexapro I made a seamless switch to Paxil which has all but eliminated the anxiety and dramatically decreased the OCD (I also did aggressive ERP). The swith in drugs took 10-14 days (stepped down Lexapro and initiated paxil 10,20,30 then 40). No side effects and it kicked in fully in about three weeks from initation. Based on my own experiences (and some Boards) I am almost convinced that some of the "dirtier" first generation SSRIs are more effective once you get through the initial side effects. My best fca
Posted by Phillipa on September 15, 2006, at 12:22:04
In reply to Re: Opinions on switching from Lex to Prozac, posted by fca on September 15, 2006, at 10:42:43
My docs always just switched from one to the other. Love Phillipa
Posted by Roy Joseph on September 15, 2006, at 12:47:33
In reply to Re: Opinions on switching from Lex to Prozac, posted by Phillipa on September 15, 2006, at 12:22:04
Phillipa,
Was there any tapering up on one med, while tapering down on the other, or did you just switch? Did you have any problems with a return of OCD or anxiety?
Posted by bassman on September 15, 2006, at 13:08:53
In reply to Re: Opinions on switching from Lex to Prozac t, posted by Roy Joseph on September 15, 2006, at 12:47:33
From what you've said, it doesn't sound like the Lexapro is doing you any good-so no sense not just switching to Prozac directly. You probably won't have any Lexapro withdrawal...if you do, you can always take some and taper. But that's coming from a person who has always just been able to stop AD's abruptly without an withdrawal symptoms. As everyone on this board says, YMMV.
Posted by blueberry on September 15, 2006, at 17:39:20
In reply to Opinions on switching from Lex to Prozac, posted by Roy Joseph on September 15, 2006, at 9:13:00
I've switched from lexapro to prozac before. I just traded straight across with no taper. I couldn't really tell any difference at first. It was rather seamless. After a few days I did feel some increased mild nervousness from the prozac and the lack of lexapro...I think lexapro is better for anxiety than prozac. The switch was about 2 months ago and the prozac nervousness still continues. Darn.
I've also switched from prozac to lexapro and that was more tricky because prozac lasts a long time. I had to taper lexapro in and taper prozac out over a couple weeks.
The serzone should help buffer things. How it will combine with prozac is anyone's guess.
Posted by bassman on September 15, 2006, at 18:13:32
In reply to Re: Opinions on switching from Lex to Prozac, posted by blueberry on September 15, 2006, at 17:39:20
Come to think of it, no concerns about the liver toxicity of Serzone? It's banned in the US and I think, Canada (?)
This is the end of the thread.
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