Dear Mari

Celexa is citalopram. It contains two molecular "forms" in equal proportions. Only one is therapeutically active. The other was thought to be responsible for some of the side effects.

Lexapro is escitalopram, the therapeutically active component of citalopram.

20 mg Celexa contains: 10mg Lexapro + 10 mg inactive "stuff".

If your insurance covers Lexapro, I'd go with that. Otherwise, Celexa is a valid alternative. I took it before Lexapro was developed. I did fine with it overall.

I preferred Zoloft because I did get a bit of nausea with Celexa. For some, that goes away - I was given an add-on to treat the nausea and was fine. Fwiw, the rationale for the Celexa was that my then-pdoc felt it might be a bit less activating than the Zoloft.

MED SIDE EFFECTS - age - management:

The first few times I took Zoloft I had no major side effects starting or even making large dose adjustments quickly. I think with age my body has become more sensitive. In recent years, I started it on three occasions and had side effects during titration, including headaches and episodes of precordial pain. WHAT HELPED: More gradual titration, not just using smaller dose increments, but especially, more time between changes (2ce as long at each pretherapeutic dose).

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REGARDING "BABY DOSES" - would you consider the oral solution?

http://www.rxlist.com/lexapro-drug.htm
You can use doses and increments as small as 1 mg, if you can measure out 1 mL of product. If the product lacks an adequate measuring cap, you can get a calibrated vial or syringe from the pharmacy.

Celexa also comes in oral solution (2mg/mL) if insurance is an issue.

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i hope this reaches you in time. i saw the posts late d/t migraine. then got dinner summons before i could answer. throw in a browser crash....

lots of hugs to you today. and good luck

waves