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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 344 to 368 of 8406. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phil on September 7, 2002, at 13:19:11
In reply to Re: severe depression, posted by ZyprexaNumbTongue on September 6, 2002, at 15:46:52
You need to read the book; scanning is not the same. Andrew Soloman knew depression. The book is an incredible work from someone that was hammered hard by depression.
To say his problems were just issue related, in my opinion, is an insult to the author and sufferers of depression in general.
Posted by Roastmarshmellows on September 7, 2002, at 15:55:39
In reply to Re: Soloman's book » ZyprexaNumbTongue, posted by Phil on September 7, 2002, at 13:19:11
> You need to read the book; scanning is not the same. Andrew Soloman knew depression. The book is an incredible work from someone that was hammered hard by depression.
> To say his problems were just issue related, in my opinion, is an insult to the author and sufferers of depression in general.Im not ZyprexaNumbTongue, but I have looked at Solomon's book. I agree with ZNT that much of Solomon's book is introspective psychobabble BS. Solomon seems to have a lot of issues and a person like that isnt likely to have the melancholia subtype of depression as much.
Id also like to say that I wish I had a rich daddy like Solomon, so that I could write my own book about my own depression experiences and get it published. I wonder if Solomon's book would have been published had he not had rich connections. Probably not.
In all honestly, there is a guy on here named LostboyinNC who could write a book ten times better than Solomon, which would be more informative than Solomon's. Whether LostBoyinNC could actually get it published is another story, as LostBoy is not rich, the guy doesnt have any connections in the publishing world.
I also wish I had a rich daddy like Solomon who could go to the ends of the Earth looking for a better antidepressant for me. I understand this is what happened with Andrew Solomon. My parents dont even like to admit I have major depression, much less are they going to exert themselves trying to find something to help me.
My Mom told me if I just smiled real big and built a campfire and sang campfire songs and roasted marshmellows that my severe depression would be gone. I wonder if thats what Solomon's mom told him?
Posted by Roastmarshmellows on September 7, 2002, at 16:00:50
In reply to Re: Soloman's book » ZyprexaNumbTongue, posted by Phil on September 7, 2002, at 13:19:11
I know one thing, I cant even get SS disability for my severe depression. It sure would be nice to have a rich daddy like Andrew Solomon does, whose daddy is CEO of a huge pharmaceutical company to help me out with some cash from time to time. Bet that would take a lot of the stress out of my situation.
Posted by Dinah on September 7, 2002, at 17:22:58
In reply to Re: Soloman's book, posted by Roastmarshmellows on September 7, 2002, at 15:55:39
Please don't continue to reregister while blocked. I am now blocking you for 8 weeks.
Dr. Bob will be back tomorrow or Monday and you may appeal this decision with him if you like.
Dinah
Posted by jane d on September 7, 2002, at 21:15:38
In reply to Re: 'Poop out' » johnj, posted by dr dave on September 4, 2002, at 13:41:42
> I haven't really found that people on SSRIs are more likely to relapse than people on other antidepressants. I do find that people can feel better on an antidepressant for a while and then relapse - which doesn't necessarily mean the drug has stopped working.
>
> Antidepressants can successfully elevate an individuals mood, but it can be the case that the factors that have led to that depressive state in the first place can continue and overwhelm what effect the drug has had. I don't think people's mood state can be permanently elevated by a drug such that other influences cannot have an effect. If someone's life is chronically difficult, be that because of external problems or because of unhelpful ways of thinking or reacting to circumstances, this can lead to depression. Antidepressants can alter the balance of positive and negative influences on that persons mood, but if the difficulties continue they can reverse that shift. If your life has felt devoid of pleasure for six months, that exerts a certain downward pressure on your mood. If your life has felt devoid of pleasure for six years, that is going to depress your mood more strongly. In this situation the pressures that are chronically exerting a negative influence on your mood need to be identified and sorted out, as any medication may be fighting an unwinnable battle.
> I haven't really found that people on SSRIs are more likely to relapse than people on other antidepressants. I do find that people can feel better on an antidepressant for a while and then relapse - which doesn't necessarily mean the drug has stopped working.
>
> Antidepressants can successfully elevate an individuals mood, but it can be the case that the factors that have led to that depressive state in the first place can continue and overwhelm what effect the drug has had. I don't think people's mood state can be permanently elevated by a drug such that other influences cannot have an effect. If someone's life is chronically difficult, be that because of external problems or because of unhelpful ways of thinking or reacting to circumstances, this can lead to depression. Antidepressants can alter the balance of positive and negative influences on that persons mood, but if the difficulties continue they can reverse that shift. If your life has felt devoid of pleasure for six months, that exerts a certain downward pressure on your mood. If your life has felt devoid of pleasure for six years, that is going to depress your mood more strongly. In this situation the pressures that are chronically exerting a negative influence on your mood need to be identified and sorted out, as any medication may be fighting an unwinnable battle.
>Dave (and anyone else out there),
For some reason this description resonated with me in a way that other descriptions of non physical factors in depression haven't. I'm not sure why. I'm definately a fan of medication but I've not been able to recapture that first feeling of really being "ok" that I experienced the first time.
Among other things, I've been wondering how this view fits with the seeming success of maintenance medication. Does maintenance medication only work to prevent a long lasting relapse in people exposed to periodic short term stresses? Or does it give some small level of protection against chronic stresses - enough for mild ongoing problems. Or could it be not the medication itself, but just change - any change - in your brains neurochemistry that gives you a window in which habits of thought and feeling are no longer so firmly embedded?
A muddled Jane staring out from behind the "medication camp" lines.
Posted by dr. dave on September 9, 2002, at 9:03:54
In reply to Re: Fewer s/e with Lexapro - where's the evidence?, posted by psycHarvard on September 6, 2002, at 23:01:56
PsycHarvard's posts have been interesting but fail to provide any evidence of fewer side-effects with Lexapro compared to Celexa. I haven't been quite clear as to whether PsycHarvard is saying that there are fewer side-effects. If he is, I would be interested to know what evidence is behind the claim.
Posted by Geezer on September 9, 2002, at 11:15:51
In reply to Re: Fewer s/e with Lexapro - where's the evidence? » psycHarvard, posted by dr. dave on September 9, 2002, at 9:03:54
> PsycHarvard's posts have been interesting but fail to provide any evidence of fewer side-effects with Lexapro compared to Celexa. I haven't been quite clear as to whether PsycHarvard is saying that there are fewer side-effects. If he is, I would be interested to know what evidence is behind the claim.
Dr. Dave,
I suspect the reason you are not receiving an answer to your question (evidence of less side effects for Lexapro vs Celexa) is because there isn't any SCIENTIFIC EMPERICAL evidence. If we are to continue using psychological "evidence" (in the form of HAMD testing and other such nonsense) we never will have scientific evidence. Psychology is very much like Philosophy-subjective, anecdotal, metaphysics. It does a great disservice to those of us with genetically transferred, biochemical, and PHIOLOGICAL (interesting post mortum studies on depressed suicide victums-malformations in prefrontal cortex and hippocanthus [spelling]) brain disorders. When genetic markers, intracelular ADs, and diagnostic blood tests come into play, then maybe we will see scientific evidence. Until that time people will use the FDA as there proof source for efficacy.......the most powerful impediment to medical progress that ever existed.
Best regards,
Geezer
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 9, 2002, at 17:10:32
In reply to Re: Fewer s/e with Lexapro - where's the evidence? » dr. dave, posted by Geezer on September 9, 2002, at 11:15:51
> If we are to continue using psychological "evidence" (in the form of HAMD testing and other such nonsense) we never will have scientific evidence. Psychology is very much like Philosophy-subjective, anecdotal, metaphysics. It does a great disservice to those of us with genetically transferred, biochemical, and PHIOLOGICAL (interesting post mortum studies on depressed suicide victums-malformations in prefrontal cortex and hippocanthus [spelling]) brain disorders. When genetic markers, intracelular ADs, and diagnostic blood tests come into play, then maybe we will see scientific evidence. Until that time people will use the FDA as there proof source for efficacy.......the most powerful impediment to medical progress that ever existed.
I'd like discussion of the pros and cons of different types of evidence -- and of the FDA -- to be redirected to Psycho-Social-Babble, thanks.
Bob
PS: And follow-ups regarding posting policies to be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Posted by moxy1000 on September 9, 2002, at 22:49:59
In reply to Re: Fewer s/e with Lexapro - where's the evidence? » dr. dave, posted by Geezer on September 9, 2002, at 11:15:51
Dr. Dave, I believe evidence has already been offered to you but it seems as if the conclusions arrived at in any clinical studies are usually contrary the conclusions you draw for yourself, as far as I can tell from your posts.
I would not think that a direct comparison of Celexa's side effect profile versus Lexapro's side effect profile would be of any value to you, would it? I mean, there are different patient populations involved, different dosages of each agent given. Lexapro's side effect profile was based on a 8 week study, dosed at 10-20 mg (the starting/maintanance dose and the maximum dose.) Celexa's side effect profile was based on a 6 week study, dosed from 10-80 mg (half the starting dose of 20mg to 20mg past the max dose of 60mg.)
If there are is still value to you, even recognizing those vast differences in study design, I would be happy to post the numbers for you. But keep in mind, both studies were sponsored by the manufacturer, and from your prior posts, I know you don't care for those types of studies, either.
I guess what I'm saying is if you will overlook those "flaws" I will go through the work to get the information for you. If those things are too bothersome to get past in the first place, then what's the point? I don't mean to sound cynical, but you've been a tough critic on this board and I guess I just thought you were past convincing at this point. (And that's not necessarily a bad thing.)
Posted by jane d on September 10, 2002, at 0:33:19
In reply to Re: Fewer s/e with Lexapro - where's the evidence?, posted by moxy1000 on September 9, 2002, at 22:49:59
> I would not think that a direct comparison of Celexa's side effect profile versus Lexapro's side effect profile would be of any value to you, would it? I mean, there are different patient populations involved, different dosages of each agent given. Lexapro's side effect profile was based on a 8 week study, dosed at 10-20 mg (the starting/maintanance dose and the maximum dose.) Celexa's side effect profile was based on a 6 week study, dosed from 10-80 mg (half the starting dose of 20mg to 20mg past the max dose of 60mg.)
Moxy,
As I recall that was exactly the point made near the beginning of this thread. When the company did a study that did include a direct comparison bwtween Celexa, Lexapro and placebo in the same study with the same population, they didn't release the data on the Celexa so that this comparison could not be made. Is this incorrect? If it's true why wouldn't Forest release the numbers? I've always thought that what's missing is just as interesting as what is reported. (see Sherlock Holmes http://www.obtuse.com/juniper-docs/misc/silver_blaze.html :) )
Jane
PS I'm interested in any information you can provide. I don't think I'm in the market for a new SSRI this year but anything's possible.
Posted by dr. dave on September 10, 2002, at 4:42:08
In reply to Re: Fewer s/e with Lexapro - where's the evidence?, posted by moxy1000 on September 9, 2002, at 22:49:59
> Dr. Dave, I believe evidence has already been offered to you but it seems as if the conclusions arrived at in any clinical studies are usually contrary the conclusions you draw for yourself, as far as I can tell from your posts.
>
> I would not think that a direct comparison of Celexa's side effect profile versus Lexapro's side effect profile would be of any value to you, would it? I mean, there are different patient populations involved, different dosages of each agent given. Lexapro's side effect profile was based on a 8 week study, dosed at 10-20 mg (the starting/maintanance dose and the maximum dose.) Celexa's side effect profile was based on a 6 week study, dosed from 10-80 mg (half the starting dose of 20mg to 20mg past the max dose of 60mg.)
>
> If there are is still value to you, even recognizing those vast differences in study design, I would be happy to post the numbers for you. But keep in mind, both studies were sponsored by the manufacturer, and from your prior posts, I know you don't care for those types of studies, either.
>
> I guess what I'm saying is if you will overlook those "flaws" I will go through the work to get the information for you. If those things are too bothersome to get past in the first place, then what's the point? I don't mean to sound cynical, but you've been a tough critic on this board and I guess I just thought you were past convincing at this point. (And that's not necessarily a bad thing.)
>
>
>
>I don't think evidence of a significantly different side-effect profile has been presented. Studies have been done which would answer the question in as unbiased and objective way as possible (randomised double-blind trials, comparing equivalent doses), and these should provide the most reliable data. If these presented evidence that there was a significant difference - well, that would be evidence. But they don't.
I've presented almost all of the available data from these trials, as it is an important question which has a fair amount of research done on it. The data are clear in failing to show any significant difference. Maybe there is a difference - my point is that even if we take the results at face value, they don't support the claim.
Posted by SLS on September 10, 2002, at 7:11:17
In reply to The hard, cold facts about Lexapro, posted by ZyprexaNumbTongue on September 6, 2002, at 14:37:39
> 1) Lexapro is formally classified as an SSRI. Lexapro is not a truly new or novel antidepressant such as a CRF-Antagonist, subsance P drug, an MAOI patch or other drug.
The majority of people posting on PB do not respond equally to all of the SSRIs. It is my impression that the same is true in the general population of depressed individuals. I think the words "truly new or novel" might be interpreted differently by those for whom Celexa has been the only SSRI that they have responded to. There are many of them. Still, it does not seem intuitive that Lexapro would have any advantage over Celexa as far as efficacy is concerned. However, it is conceivable that r-citalopram interferes with the therapeutic action of s-citalopram. If this were the case, Lexapro would be more effective than Celexa.
It doesn't hurt to have more *superficially* similar drugs available for the same illness unless it somehow discourages the development of those that are very dissimilar. I don't know if this is true or not.
- Scott
Posted by IsoM on September 10, 2002, at 12:46:47
In reply to Re: The hard, cold facts about Lexapro » ZyprexaNumbTongue, posted by SLS on September 10, 2002, at 7:11:17
Scott, the nice thing about making Lexapro is it didn't involve any 'development' of a new drug. It just took an already existing drug, citalopram (Celexa) & applied a relatively new technology to it - the separation of isomers of a racemic mixture. So, in theory, this in now way should slow or restrict the developments of new medications.
As far as I can tell, Forest labs do not develop new drugs so much as market those that weren't picked up by other companies. They take ones that show promise & work with those developers to fix them up for use (I'm dumbing their processes way down as I don't know all they do myself).
The inactive isomer of citaprolam should not in theory interfere with the efficiency of the active one but would only bind to certain sites causing an increase of side effects in only those who would be affected. There are many people who take Celexa with no side effects at all - I'm one. I've never noticed anything different in a negative way that I could attribute to Celexa. So presumably, Lexapro wouldn't do anything different for me. The reason that Dr. Dave doesn't believe that the r-isomer of Celexa causes interference with the efficiency of the s-isomer is that (to the best of my knowledge) inactive isomers of other meds have never interfered with the active isomers before. He would be even more aware than me of any other cases where interference resulted previously. All that has resulted from inactive forms before has been an increase of side effects. Mind you, we're still discovering new things in sciences that we never knew about before, which is why I'm still keeping an open mind.
Nice to talk with you again, by the way. I hope you're feeling a little better. I have, at last, found that my new doctor does understand narcolepsy enough to know I have it & has now prescribed Dexedrine for me. Unfortunately, both the adrafinil & modafinil (Provigil) pooped out on me. I've honestly never experienced a drug poop-out before & did NOT expect it.
Posted by moxy1000 on September 10, 2002, at 18:45:51
In reply to Re: Fewer s/e with Lexapro - where's the evidence? » moxy1000, posted by dr. dave on September 10, 2002, at 4:42:08
Overall, Dr. Dave, after doing some extensive research today, I think you are absolutely right in saying that presently that are is a lack of "overwelming" evidence. In all three studies I've found, involving both Celexa and Lexapro, only one presented a table of treatment emergent side effects comparing the two active agents. (This was the table in Clinical Psychiatry, April 2002, included in the study presented by Dr. Burke.) It was a double blind, placebo controlled trial, but I've left out the placebo numbers for space sake. (The placebo rates, as we'd expect, were lower then the two active drugs.)
The table looks like this:
Nausea Celexa 40mg 22% Lexapro 10mg 21%
Diarrhea Celexa 40mg 11% Lexapro 10mg 10%
Insomnia Celexa 40mg 11% Lexapro 10mg 10%
Dry Mouth Celexa 40mg 10% Lexapro 10mg 10%
Ejaculation Dis. Cx 40mg 4% Lexapro 10mg 9%The only major difference in tolerability in the Burke study, was in the drop out rates.
2.5% dropped out on placebo due to side effects
4.2% dropped out on Lex 10mg due to side effects
8.8% dropped out on Cel 40mg due to side effects(Perhaps the rate of side effect occurance potentially the same for both Lexapro and Celexa, but the severity of those side effects differ? That could explain the higher Celexa drop out rate.)
At any rate, I think the biggest difference between Celexa and Lexapro in this study was in the area of efficacy. On every testing instrument used (HAM-D, MADRS, CGI-I) Lexapro at 10 mg was at least as effective as Celexa 40mg. (And how often is it possible to jump into Celexa therapy at 40mg? Starting dose is usually 20mg.) I think that's where the earlier onset of improvement in depressive symptoms comes in for Lexapro.
I think it's standard for all SSRI's to take 4-6 weeks for improvement in depressive symptoms (at least that is what is stated in the package inserts of all available treatments.) Sure, not every patient is the same, some probably respond to therapy sooner (I took wellbutrin and felt it kick in after a couple weeks), some may never respond at all, some may feel better after a month or longer. But, If Lexapro can offer the majority of patients, as it appears that it can from all efficacy studies available, earlier relief at 1-2 weeks, would that not be an improvement over not only Celexa, but some other AD's as well?
Let's say for the sake of argument that the side effect profile is essentially the same. Wouldn't having the ability to offer depressed patients relief sooner be an advantage? After all, from all indications, both Lex and Celexa look like they are pretty well tolerated to begin with.
I hope this info helped.
Posted by moxy1000 on September 10, 2002, at 18:52:07
In reply to Re: Fewer s/e with Lexapro - where's the evidence?, posted by moxy1000 on September 9, 2002, at 22:49:59
Just FYI... a few of you mentioned in replies to my posts topics that were discussed on this board over the past week or longer (that I missed.) My apologies...I can't keep up with this board all the time, and me being uninformed in regards to what's been discussed and what's not been discussed is in no way an indication of my lack of interest, just lack of time to be able to read through everything that's been added each day.
Posted by alan on September 10, 2002, at 22:52:26
In reply to Re: (Long)see bottom » Alan, posted by pharmrep on September 7, 2002, at 2:10:04
Celexa contains two "mirror-image" molecules, one of them active and the other not. Lexapro contains only the active molecule.
The makers knew this in the beginning and they could have produced Lexapro right off the bat. But this way they get to double the length of their patent. First they sell the mixed form (Celexa) until its patent expires. Then they patent the "purified" form (Lexapro) and sell that as superior. To the extent that the inactive molecule really is inactive, the only difference between the medications (besides price!) is that you can take half as much of Lexapro to get the same results.Welcome to the world's most profitable industry.
Posted by IsoM on September 11, 2002, at 1:24:36
In reply to Re:Lexapro marketing (for everyone) » pharmrep, posted by alan on September 10, 2002, at 22:52:26
Alan, Celexa was first marketed in 1998. It took a number of years before that to develop & test it. Separation of racemic mixtures like citaprolam (Celexa) is a fairly new technology. There's more than one way of separating mixtures depending on what the compound is. It's still being finely honed to come up with cheaper ways of doing it. They could NOT have separated Celexa from the start as you suggest. Doesn't mean that drug companies aren't on the band wagon in a big way now, seeing it as a means to boost sales, but it's good to keep all information accurate.
An interesting story from Chemical & Engineering News on the marketing of racemic drugs & the interest by pharmaceutical companies.
Chiral Roundup - http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/8023/8023chiral.html
Posted by kid47 on September 11, 2002, at 10:59:52
In reply to Re: Fewer s/e with Lexapro - ?, posted by psycHarvard on September 6, 2002, at 23:35:03
>>Yes SSRIs do cause increased Anx in the first few weeks... that is why a lot of psycs now start
there pats off on an SSRI and Wellbutrin... in combination for a few weeks...<<I'm curious. Are you implying that the addition of Wellb to an SSRI will help REDUCE anxiety? This is certainly contrary to my experience.
Posted by Mr.Scott on September 11, 2002, at 11:31:47
In reply to Re:Lexapro marketing (for everyone) » pharmrep, posted by alan on September 10, 2002, at 22:52:26
For some reason people think a depressed son/author and an early release of Lexapro before the U.S. Patent is up on Celexa is something noteworthy. IT'S NOT.
Forest has marketing rights to Celexa only in the U.S.. Only U.S. scripts result in Forest dollars. Also Celexa is no Zoloft or Prozac or even Paxil with regards to revenue here. With Lexapro on the other hand Forest will make dollars from all scripts in the entire world, and have a shot at getting scripts by pushing the "something new BS". It's not really anything new for depressives to be concerned with.
Posted by moxy1000 on September 11, 2002, at 16:46:23
In reply to Re:Lexapro marketing (for everyone) » pharmrep, posted by alan on September 10, 2002, at 22:52:26
I think that's incorrect. Isomer science was only developed in 1998 - the guy that figured out how to single out one isomer of a racemic mixture actually won the noble prize for chemistry that year. Forest started looking into developing Celexa into an isomer at that point - and just recently was Lexapro ready for approval. To say they knew about it all along is in part true - they knew there was potential in developing Celexa into a single isomer. But, they couldn't do it overnight - it took almost five years to get the R&D done and get the drug to market.
Also, the difference b/w lexapro and celexa is not quite as simple as was stated. If Lexapro were truly HALF of Celexa, then to carry that theory forward, 10mg of Lexapro would be equal to 20mg of Celexa. That's not the case - 10mg Lex = 40mg Celexa.
And also, there will be no generic versions of Celexa until probably 2005, so this wasn't released due to a patent emergency.
Posted by Phil on September 11, 2002, at 18:24:25
In reply to Re:Lexapro marketing (for everyone) » alan, posted by Mr.Scott on September 11, 2002, at 11:31:47
>
>
> For some reason people think a depressed son/author and an early release of Lexapro before the U.S. Patent is up on Celexa is something noteworthy. IT'S NOT.>>>Personally, I'm glad it's on the market for whatever reason. If they make money legally by producing meds that can potentially save my ass, I don't care what their motivations are.
Personally, the biggest BS w/ drug companies is charging more in the US than anywhere else.>
> Forest has marketing rights to Celexa only in the U.S.. Only U.S. scripts result in Forest dollars. Also Celexa is no Zoloft or Prozac or even Paxil with regards to revenue here. With Lexapro on the other hand Forest will make dollars from all scripts in the entire world, and have a shot at getting scripts by pushing the "something new BS". It's not really anything new for depressives to be concerned with.>>>What's not anything new for me not to be concerned with? How do you judge who needs to be concerned with what?
So they make money worldwide. Lundbeck is a company that only makes CNS drugs. Forest put $158,000,000.00 back into research last year.
I'm taking Lexapro and glad that I'm able to get it. Judging from a very short trial, it could be an excellent drug and it has more selling points than *new*.
Posted by hawkeye on September 11, 2002, at 20:06:09
In reply to Re: Fewer s/e with Lexapro - where's the evidence?, posted by Phil on September 6, 2002, at 8:27:35
Hi. I have been taking 10mg/day of Lexapro since last Friday.
Here's the result: 110% COMPLETE/TOTAL SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In my experience it's WORSE than Celexa and the worst in this regard of any other drug I have taken.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have taken Celexa but stopped due to "unacceptable side-efects" , i.e., sexual dysfunction. But with Celexa at 20mg, although there was some, it wasn't total.
My advice: Unless you are a eunuch, forget about this drug.
Posted by Phil on September 11, 2002, at 21:53:06
In reply to LEXAPRO -- USER REPORT -- BAD NEWS, posted by hawkeye on September 11, 2002, at 20:06:09
Well , if it gets me too I'll save it for the cat.
pharmrep's theory that the #'s are high because more people are willing to talk about sex than they were 4 years ago never impressed me but we're all different..we'll see.Sorry Lexapro has killed men's most important organ, hawkeye. That's bad news-that's what Zoloft did to me.
Let's hope it's not going to affect everybody.
Posted by johnj on September 11, 2002, at 23:03:40
In reply to LEXAPRO -- USER REPORT -- BAD NEWS, posted by hawkeye on September 11, 2002, at 20:06:09
PLEASE elaborate on sexual dysfunction. Do you mean no desire? No erection? No ability to orgasm? thanks
johnj
Posted by dr. dave on September 12, 2002, at 3:51:15
In reply to Re:Lexapro marketing (for everyone), posted by moxy1000 on September 11, 2002, at 16:46:23
Isomer science has been known about for a lot, lot longer than that, and Sanchez published a paper demonstrating
s-citalopram was the active isomer of citalopram in 1992. It seems that the s-isomer was patented in the US in 1990, according to this article.http://www.current-drugs.com/CDD/CDD/CDDPDF/NEWS_ANTIDEPRESSANT_HEIR.pdf
What has happened recently is that new technology has allowed separation of stereoisomers to become financially viable - a fantastic thing in general, but of debatable benefit in the case of citalopram.
> I think that's incorrect. Isomer science was only developed in 1998 - the guy that figured out how to single out one isomer of a racemic mixture actually won the noble prize for chemistry that year. Forest started looking into developing Celexa into an isomer at that point - and just recently was Lexapro ready for approval. To say they knew about it all along is in part true - they knew there was potential in developing Celexa into a single isomer. But, they couldn't do it overnight - it took almost five years to get the R&D done and get the drug to market.
>
> Also, the difference b/w lexapro and celexa is not quite as simple as was stated. If Lexapro were truly HALF of Celexa, then to carry that theory forward, 10mg of Lexapro would be equal to 20mg of Celexa. That's not the case - 10mg Lex = 40mg Celexa.
>
> And also, there will be no generic versions of Celexa until probably 2005, so this wasn't released due to a patent emergency.
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