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What Causes No Improvement In Anxiety Levels Even After Increased Celexa Intake?

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Posted on Wed, 18 Jun 2014
Question: I've been on 20mg celexa for 15 years for generalized anxiety - works great. Recent stressors have made me very anxious again and the doc recommended I up the dose to 30mg. Are ther a lot of side effects of upping the dose and how long before I can exect some improvement\?
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Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
takes 2-4 weeks to show effect sometimes

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You have been put on maximum recommended dosage of celexa 30mg, which is ok on part of your doctor as you were keeping fine on that drug for past several years.
The increased dosage does bring side effects, but once the dosage is increased we expect to see the result in 2-3 weeks. If you donot get desired response in a month, then it is unlikely to show any further. In that case it will be best to shift to a different molecule which is good in handling anxiety compared to celexa- like, paroxetine or venelafaxine.

So, if there is still not a month gone when the dosage was increased- you should wait and watch. But beyond that one should go for drug change. There is no need to increase it any further as that will only increase side effects.
You can also enter into therapy sessions to handle recent stresses. Therapy sessions when done regularly by someone trained, alongwith medicines help in early and good response.

Hope the reply is useful for you
Wish you a speedy recovery!

Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Psychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Manisha Gopal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 947 Questions

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What Causes No Improvement In Anxiety Levels Even After Increased Celexa Intake?

Brief Answer: takes 2-4 weeks to show effect sometimes Detailed Answer: Hello, You have been put on maximum recommended dosage of celexa 30mg, which is ok on part of your doctor as you were keeping fine on that drug for past several years. The increased dosage does bring side effects, but once the dosage is increased we expect to see the result in 2-3 weeks. If you donot get desired response in a month, then it is unlikely to show any further. In that case it will be best to shift to a different molecule which is good in handling anxiety compared to celexa- like, paroxetine or venelafaxine. So, if there is still not a month gone when the dosage was increased- you should wait and watch. But beyond that one should go for drug change. There is no need to increase it any further as that will only increase side effects. You can also enter into therapy sessions to handle recent stresses. Therapy sessions when done regularly by someone trained, alongwith medicines help in early and good response. Hope the reply is useful for you Wish you a speedy recovery! Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Psychiatry