Some sites on the internet say these two drugs should not be taken together. What is the reason for this?
I take buspirone 15 mg and Celexa 20 mg together once a day. (continued)?
Question posted by cdone on 18 June 2009
Last updated on 9 April 2021 by Tskcubed5
10 Answers
Tskcubed5
9 April 2021
Oh my gosh!!! I was going to ask this exact question, and here I find all these wonderful answers. I have been on buspar for 3 years ( 5mg) but was just prescribed celexa ( 20mg) to add to it. My Dr. told me to take half of the celexa to start off... Of course I googled side effects and started worrying about serotonin syndrome. Thank you all for your comments. It truly helped. ❤️
Doxain
17 Jan 2020
I take buspirone 20mg twice a day, Celexa 40mg once a day, and 0.5mg Xanax as needed and have no problems. Helps out my anxiety tremendously.
Dadedumdedum
31 Jan 2018
I've been on 15mg buspar twice a day, and 40mg celexa once a day for six years. I've never had a bad side effect at all. I've been on ALL SORTS of medication combinations throughout my journey to finding "what works" for me. And this has been it. It has worked MIRACLES for me. Seriously. I never dreamed that I would be at such an "even" place mentally. My anxiety is perfectly handled. I struggle severely with my anxiety, and have since I was a toddler. Up until this combination was introduced to me. I'm no longer controlled by my anxiety. I feel free. And I'm not depressed because I feel so out of control with my own body. This combination really did do wonders for me. It's a shame that people think there is such a high rate for a negative reaction, because I'm not sure I would be here today if it wasn't for it. It saved me. And I cannot be the ONLY person that this has helped so tremendously.
It concerns me because with people believing this, because that's going to lead to doctors no longer feeling comfortable prescribing the two, and that would be really bad for me..
WildcatVet
31 Jan 2018
People shouldn't believe everything that they read. Yes, the potential is there for a very rare reaction called serotonin syndrome but doctors are aware of it and have deemed that the benefits (which you have so aptly described!) far outweigh any possible risk and monitor their patients for any symptoms.
I am Bipolar ll with associated disorders so I've taken several medications for years that carry a "major" interaction warning. No interaction and I'm a happy, healthy, and fully functional person because of my medications.
Wishing you all the best!
lg135
10 Sep 2018
Dadedumdedum
Thank you for your comments. I was becoming quite scared. I have been on my celexa for 10 years and my anxiety is inching its way back into my life. My Dr prescribe buspar today so I started researching. I was literally have an anxiety attack over what I was reading... good grief. So, thank you and hopefully it will work wonders like it has for you.
lg135
70sbaby
7 Oct 2018
So glad to hear this. I was afraid to take the buspirone twice per day as directed by my doctor, because I've been on citalopram 40 mg for 8 years. I read that a major interaction could occur. What timeframe do you space apart the citalopram and buspirone?
lg135
8 Oct 2018
70sbaby: I have now been on the Buspar for 3 weeks and I feel so much better. I take my citalopram 4g at night and one 5mg of Buspar. I no longer wake up at 2 with anxiety and the physical pain of the anxiety. I am happy I stick with it and everything is looking brighter again
lg135
8 Oct 2018
**40 mg
Dadedumdedum
8 Oct 2018
I take my buspar in the morning around 8 or 9, and then take my 2nd dose of buspar, and my celexa around 9 or 10pm. I'm glad I could add a different outlook. I think its worth a shot. I mean, with all the other medications thats what you're doing anyway. I've been put on meds that have only made things worse. All I know is that it clearly can be a great combination. :)
70sbaby
8 Oct 2018
Both of your comments have given me a huge sigh of relief. I took the 10mg of buspirone 2x yesterday, but I didn't take my 40 mg citalopram before bed as usual. I wanted to hear back from you both, before doing so. I'll take it tomorrow night, without fear of dying in my sleep (funny but not funny... I was super concerned). Thank you both!
Jamiekm
27 Nov 2017
I take 20mg celexa, and 10mg buspirone I still get these weird bursts of energy starts in my stomach like butterflies I still get irritated extremely fast tho, I also started walking 3 to 4 miles a day 6days a week. I have the sudden burst of energy to do my walking video, or I'll start deep cleaning the house. N then there's days I feel like sleeping all day all night don't wanna go to work or interact W people n then I feel like crap bc I have a 5yr.old and I feel like I'm a bad mom then 4days later I'll feel fine, there are sometimes I take the buspirone n then I feel kind of nauseous n dizzy and shakey. I see my Dr next month to see how the medicines are working for me.
Lilly22
11 May 2013
Not sure what their reason for this was, but celexa was not helpful for me. I was changed to Vybrid 40mg daily and bus par 40 mg 2x day and my depression, anxiety much improved. I can really tell a difference if I am late taking it. I noticed almost immediate improvement. I hope and pray this combo never comes off the market
Tee6759
20 April 2013
Dear Cdone,
I have been on the max for Celexa (40mg) and Buspirone (60mg) for over 8 months. I take half my buspirone with my celexa every morning. I take the rest of my buspirone at night. Ive never had any issues with either one. HOWEVER, we are not all alike and we react to medicine differently. You need to talk to your doctor and let them know whats happening. Make sure you give them exact details as to what happened. Thats the best way to get help. Good luck and I wish you the best.
Seeking peace,
Tee
NanaJ7
20 April 2013
Hello cdone, I am no Dr... I am replying to your question of buspirone (15 mg) and celexa (20 mg) together once a day. I was prescribe the same thing except, I have been taking buspirone (15 mg) for 3 months now and feel better but was still having somewhat panic attacks.. My Dr. prescribe me Celexa (20mg) to go with the buspirone (15 mg) and break in half.. But the Pharmacist said I should break in half again to wean myself into the Celexa.. However, I take my buspirone @ 7:07 each morning and my Celexa around 12:00 noon.. I Have talked to 3 different Pharmacist, and all three said it was safe to take the two..Goes to show you can't read and believe all the negativity reports online.. please let me know how your doing taking the two.. God bless you!
RNintn
7 June 2013
i take 7.5mg buspar tid also celexa 50mg 1xday.i have great results from this i have ptsd also take klonopin2mg as needed for panic attacks.so far all is good
av0811
21 March 2012
wondering the same myself i take prozac and buspar. Taking buspar 4 days now and i feel awful and shaking and twitching is horrible. Went to dr today and she said its high levels of serotonin in my system. I dont know why i didnt question it more. But i am very scared, and wondering if i should wean off of prozac
abby09
8 April 2010
I was on celexa (20 mg) for two months for my anxiaty and it made my anxiaty get progressivly worse. I was on edge all the time and every day i got worse.
So I am now on just the buspirone (15 mg) only cause the celexa was increasing my anxiaty. You should not take them both it can be a bad combo as my doc put it
robo
21 June 2009
Taking these drugs together may possibly increase the risk of "serotonin syndrome."
See https://www.drugs.com/cg/serotonin-syndrome.html
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