Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
How To Switch From Paxil To Celexa?
I am reducing Paxil and starting Celexa. I am taking 10 mg of Paxil tonight and then I would like to take 20 mg of Celexa tomorrow and be done with the Paxil. I have been taking Paxil 10 mg, down from 20 mg. for a week and am now taking Paxil 10 mg every other day. I think my doctor said 8 days would be enough to wean off. Can I take the Celexa the night after I take my last dose of 10 mg Paxil?
Mon, 5 Feb 2024
Hi,
Both of these drugs belong to SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drugs. Both are primarily used as anti-depressive drugs. The efficacy as well as side effects are also, almost same. However, some of the psychiatrists claim that Paxil has more side effects than Celexa. Hence, this may be the reason that your doctor might have thought to wean off you from Paxil and starting Celexa in its place.
In my opinion, as both belong to same group, therefore switching from Paxil to Celexa should not be a problem. It is all the more better that you are trying to wean off in a gradual tapering dose of Paxil. Still, it might have been a better choice, that dose of Celexa might also have been increased in a gradual increasing pattern like 10 mg of Celexa for 7-10 days & then increasing it to 20 mg of Celexa daily. However, this is just an opinion. The final choice of pattern of switching should be definitely under guidance of your psychiatrist.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
Both of these drugs belong to SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drugs. Both are primarily used as anti-depressive drugs. The efficacy as well as side effects are also, almost same. However, some of the psychiatrists claim that Paxil has more side effects than Celexa. Hence, this may be the reason that your doctor might have thought to wean off you from Paxil and starting Celexa in its place.
In my opinion, as both belong to same group, therefore switching from Paxil to Celexa should not be a problem. It is all the more better that you are trying to wean off in a gradual tapering dose of Paxil. Still, it might have been a better choice, that dose of Celexa might also have been increased in a gradual increasing pattern like 10 mg of Celexa for 7-10 days & then increasing it to 20 mg of Celexa daily. However, this is just an opinion. The final choice of pattern of switching should be definitely under guidance of your psychiatrist.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....