My 35 yr. old daughter has been taking celexa 20mg for depression, and it did not work very well for her. Her Dr. prescribed Wellbutrin XL 150mg to take instead. Should she wean herself off the Celexa and onto the Wellbutrin, or is it ok for her to just switch from one to the other. She also takes theophllin for asthma and lanoxin for SVT
What is best way to stop one antidepressant and start another?
Question posted by beth2646 on 7 April 2011
Last updated on 21 March 2014
Answers
LaurieShay
7 April 2011
Hey beth,
I must encourage you to get clarification from the doctor. Quite often Wellbutrin is added to another antidepressant so the two maybe taken together. If not, then she will need to wean off the Celexa while starting the Wellbutrin so to avoid withdrawl symptoms from the Celexa. Again it is best to consult the doctor on this taper schedule but she can decrease the dosage of the Celexa by half for at least a couple of weeks maybe longer while she begins the Wellbutrin. It will take upto a month before she gets the full effect of the Wellbutrin so give it some time.
Again, I must encourage you to consult the prescribing doctor to get clarification on this drug regimen.
Wishing you and your daughter the very best,
Laurie
stickershack
21 March 2014
just an update for this... was on 20mg of celexa not working... doctor had me wean off before starting welbutrin... so clear of both drugs for two days then start welbutrin :)
Sprice220
7 April 2011
I'm surprised her doc didn't up her to 40 mg of Celexa before switching. But actually, those two can be taken together without contraindications. Prozac and Wellbutrin are prescribed together quite often and work quite well for a lot of people. And since Celexa is in the same class as Prozac, I believe the same would be true of those two. Your daughter may just feel her best as she's taking both (when she's transitioning the two). I'd keep a close eye on her heart rate while taking Wellbutrin.
beth2646
7 April 2011
Since the Dr. did not say she should take both of them , how should she make the transition?
Sprice220
7 April 2011
She should cut the Celexa in half to 10 mg a day for two weeks while starting Wellbutrin. After two weeks, stop the Celexa.
beth2646
7 April 2011
Thanks for your help!
harleymed
12 April 2011
I'd forget adding Wellbutrin or switching all together and just switch to Cymbalta. Celexa and Wellbutrin together = the same (but not as good) as Cymbalta... and it is better for any anxiety or painful physical symptoms too.
Sprice220
13 April 2011
I've never tried Cymbalta. What are the benefits/side effects of this drug? How about the dreaded weight gain? It's so hard because what works for one may not work for another.
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celexa, wellbutrin, wellbutrin xl, depression, antidepressant
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