There are so many antidepressants out there being used. What makes the SNRI better than an SSRI. I realize there are different neurotransmitters involved here.. But what is it about a persons depression, what symptoms seem to prompt use of the SSRI over and SNRI or vice versa. I want to know because my friend is going to try making the change from Celexa to Prestiq or some other SNRI.
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8/29/09 10:35am
Hi Jim!
This is a good question. What does your friend say is the reason for the switch? I suppose such decisions are made on an individual basis. I have personally seen a great surge of people being prescribed Prestiq right on this site over the past year.
Here is the official Prestiq site for you to look at. It could be that the Celexa was not working for your friend? I have no idea. I am not sure if newer equates with better or more effective but it does seem that many docs are going this route.
I did find a report where researchers are basically asking the same thing you are...which class of antidepressants are most effective and why. I am not sure they have an answer yet.
Everyone has different symptoms of depression...different ways of responding to medications...will have different side effects. Really...it is all a gamble...there are no guarantees a particular med will work. You try...and you try again.
I hope your friend finds something that works. Thank you for your question.
8/29/09 7:56pm
I was told that my doctor wanted me on Celexa for two reasons. First, I was on Propranolol for tremors and Celexa and Propranolol are known to work well together. Second, my depression is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Celexa is believed by many to be effective at reducing some of the bad dreams associated with that.
6/19/10 5:30am
I suffer from depression also. I was on Celexa for about 4 years and it had began to not work as great so I called my doctor and ask if he would switch me to Prestiq. I've been taking Prestiq for 11 days now and have had severe fatigue. They are time released tablets and I know I have to give the medicine time to work. I will give it 4 weeks and if I do not see any improvements I will have to get my doctor to either up the doses or go on to another antidepressant. With all that I've read with Prestiq it makes me feel that it will do me better than all of the rest I have tried. Good luck with which ever one you choose.
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By Jim— Last Modified: 05/08/11, First Published: 08/28/09
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I have been on and off anti-depressents for the last 15 years. I had a tramatic experience 15 years ago which caused me severe anxiety and depression. I have been on so many different antidepressants and then had many years taking no antidepressants. I believe Celexa has always worked the best for me, but it does tend to quit working. I went to the docotor about 1 1/2 months ago and he started me on Prestiq. At first I felt pretty good, but by the time I got to day 15 I was very anxious, depressed with terrible brain saps and the drug really scared me! I went off cold turkey except for Klonapin to help me sleep. It's been about three weeks and I feel more mentally sharp and more myself. However, I'm still having a little anxiety and tear sessions (which could also be attributed to a pain killer I have been taking). I think I'm better off just being me, going to give it another week to make sure. If not, I'll go back on Celexa. I feel that if you're off Celexa for a couple months and then start back on it, it starts working again. I will NEVER TAKE PRESTIQ again. Scared me to death.