What's the difference between these two SSRI's?!
Question: What's the difference between these two SSRI's?
Answers:
Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of citalopram. Most drug molecules have mirror images (enantiomers), and citalopram is not an exception. The R-enantiomer is biologically inert in humans, while the S-enantiomer is active.
Celexa? (citalopram) tablets are racemic, i.e. the R/S enantiomers are split pretty much 50-50. With Lexapro? (escitalopram), you're getting nothing but pure S-citalopram (hence the clever name). They also differ in their salt vehicle (hydrobromide vs. oxalate, respectively), which is likely negligible in terms of efficacy.
P.S. Ignore RedAngel- she's chemically illiterate and doesn't know what she's talking about.
Me too drug - a drug that is structurally very similar to already known drugs, with only minor differences. So basically the drug companies want to make more money by introducing a "new" drug onto the market and charge far more than the older drug that is basically identical. Lexapro (escitalopram) is the me too drug of Celexa (citalopram). But these drugs are also found to be as effective as taking a sugar pill - aka the drugs don't work.
Me too drugs>>>
http://www.pharmainfo.net/reviews/me-too…
Anti depressants don't work - in the papers>>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF0YIyhqb…
RedAngel
Technically there both the same and will both due about the same; however, citalopraem is an off-name branded labeled company.