Question posted by cdone on 18 June 2009
Last updated on 9 April 2021 by Tskcubed5
Some sites on the internet say these two drugs should not be taken together. What is the reason for this?
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10 Answers
TS
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. ❤️
Votes: +0
DO
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.
Votes: +0
DA
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.
Expand...
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..
WI
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!
LG
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
70
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?
LG
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
LG
lg135 8 Oct 2018
**40 mg
DA
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. :)
70
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!
JA
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.
Votes: +0
LI
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
Votes: +0
TE
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
Votes: +0
NA
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!
Votes: +0
RN
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
AV
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
Votes: +0
AB
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
Votes: +1
RO
robo 21 June 2009
Taking these drugs together may possibly increase the risk of "serotonin syndrome."
See https://www.drugs.com/mcd/serotonin-syndrome
Votes: +0
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FAQs
Can citalopram and bupropion be taken together? ›
Conclusion: The results of this cohort study suggest that combining citalopram and bupropion-SR is more effective than switching to a monotherapy. Combination treatment was well tolerated with no greater side effect burden than monotherapy.
Can you take buspirone with an antidepressant? ›Buspirone is one of many medications that is used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It is often prescribed on top of an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or SNRI (selective and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant for greater relief.
Is buspirone and Celexa the same? ›Buspar and Celexa belong to different drug classes. Celexa is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type antidepressant and Buspar is an anti-anxiety medication.
Which is better citalopram or buspirone? ›Summary. Buspirone works well to relieve anxiety. It causes less drowsiness and has less dependency potential than other antianxiety medications, but it can take some time for it to start working. Citalopram (Celexa) is a first-choice antidepressant for the treatment of depression in adults.
Can you take Celexa and buspirone together? ›Do not use citalopram with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), methylene blue injection, tryptophan, St John's wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®).
What happens if you take buspirone with citalopram? ›Using busPIRone together with citalopram can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, ...
How many hours does buspirone last? ›How long does it stay in your system? Within 24 hours, most of a buspirone dose will be eliminated from your body. Buspirone has a half-life of about 2 to 3 hours. (A half-life is how long it takes your body to get rid of half of the dose of medication.)
How many hours apart should you take buspirone? ›Buspirone is usually given two to three times a day. Your doctor will tell you how often to give it. Twice each day: this should be once in the morning and once in the evening. Ideally, these times are 10–12 hours apart, for example some time between 7 and 8 am, and between 7 and 8 pm.
Does buspirone raise or lower serotonin? ›Buspirone significantly increased levels of noradrenaline, dopamine, and free serotonin but did not affect levels of adrenaline, tryptophane, or platelet serotonin. Small but significant drops in systolic blood pressure and heart rate were observed after buspirone ingestion.
Is Celexa more for anxiety or depression? ›Although Celexa is most commonly used to treat depression, it is sometimes prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Like many medications, Celexa can cause a variety of side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, dry mouth, sleeping difficulties, and increased sweating.
What's better than Celexa for anxiety? ›
Celexa vs Lexapro for anxiety
Even though both medications have been found to effectively treat anxiety symptoms compared to a placebo, Lexapro was found to be more effective overall, according to a study published in Depression and Anxiety.
In addition to major depressive disorder, Celexa is most used for the treatment of anxiety. Studies have shown that low serotonin levels may be a major cause of anxiety disorders. As an SSRI, Celexa helps correct and balance brain chemistry.
Is buspirone used for depression or anxiety? ›Buspirone is primarily used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It is an FDA-approved medicine for managing anxiety disorders or the short-term relief of anxiety symptoms. Off-labeled buspirone is used for the augmentation of unipolar depression.
What drug is better than Celexa? ›The results showed that Lexapro was better than Celexa at improving symptoms of depression. People who took Lexapro were also more likely to experience remission (feeling free of depression symptoms).
Does buspirone help with motivation? ›After three weeks of buspirone augmentation, the symptoms of low energy, lethargy, and lack of motivation and interest were improved and the patient reached a remission state.
What drugs should not be taken with buspirone? ›Do not take buspirone if you are also taking a drug with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (e.g., isocarboxazid [Marplan®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], or tranylcypromine [Parnate®]). If you do, you may develop extremely high blood pressure.
Can Celexa make anxiety worse at first? ›Some of the common side effects of citalopram will gradually improve as your body gets used to it. For example, taking citalopram for panic attacks can sometimes make anxiety worse during the first few weeks of treatment. But this usually wears off after a few weeks. If it bothers you, speak to your doctor about it.
Should you take Celexa at the same time every day? ›You can take it at any time of day, but it's best to stick to the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning. If you are taking citalopram liquid drops, mix them with water and drink it straight away.
Can I take anxiety meds with citalopram? ›Any medications that increase serotonin levels — Because citalopram increases serotonin, taking another drug that does the same thing will cause an additive effect, which can lead to a rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
How long does withdrawal from Celexa last? ›For most people, Celexa withdrawal begins within three to six days of your last dose. Symptoms may continue for anywhere from five days to and in some cases over one month. 2 Keep in mind that antidepressant withdrawal duration is a difficult thing for researchers to measure, so experiences can vary.
Is 15 mg of buspirone a lot? ›
Typical dosing for buspirone
The typical starting dose of buspirone is 15 mg by mouth twice daily. The maximum dose is 60 mg per day.
Buspirone clears the body relatively quickly compared to other antidepressants or anxiety medications. Its half-life is 2-3 hours, which means that it will be almost entirely gone from the body within 24-48 hours after your last dose.
How long should you take buspirone for anxiety? ›The usual recommendation is to remain on the therapeutic dose of anti-anxiety medication for 6-12 months after your symptoms have responded to treatment. Buspirone is safe for long-term use. Some people with severe or chronic anxiety or depression may stay on it for extended periods.
What happens if you stop taking buspirone suddenly? ›Common withdrawal symptoms of BuSpar include: Anxiety. Agitation. Irritability.
How often can you take buspirone for anxiety? ›For anxiety: Adults—At first, 7.5 mg two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg a day.
Can you take buspirone just once a day? ›Buspirone is a medication that does need to be taken every day for it to have its full clinical effect. So in contrast to benzodiazepines which can be taken on as needed basis, buzpirone tends to be a medicine that needs to be taken everyday to really have its most effective treatment response.
What hormone does buspirone affect? ›In man, buspirone hydrochloride at doses of 30,60, and 90 mg orally significantly elevated plasma prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) concentrations. The apparent increase in PRL secretion was dose dependent, but that of GH was not.
What is the most common side effect of buspirone? ›The more common side effects that can occur with use of buspirone include: dizziness. nausea. headache.
How do I know buspirone is working? ›It may take 3 to 4 weeks before you start to feel better. Initially you may begin to notice a decrease in irritability and worry. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your health care provider first.
What to avoid when taking Celexa? ›Do not use citalopram with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), methylene blue injection, tryptophan, St John's wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®).
Can you take citalopram for life? ›
To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of citalopram. It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed.
Is Celexa stimulating or sedating? ›SSRI Sedation
Although all SSRIs can cause sedation. The most sedating SSRIs are Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paroxetine (Paxil), and Citalopram (Celexa). Increasing daytime exercise can also be beneficial.
Brand names: Celexa
Citalopram has an average rating of 8.3 out of 10 from a total of 95 reviews for the off-label treatment of Panic Disorder. 80% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 9% reported a negative experience.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are the most widely prescribed type of antidepressants. They're usually preferred over other antidepressants, as they cause fewer side effects. An overdose is also less likely to be serious.
Citalopram belongs to a group of antidepressants called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Citalopram is used to treat: Depression. Panic disorders including fear of wide open spaces (agoraphobia) or crowds.
What is Celexa 20 mg used for? ›Descriptions. Citalopram is used to treat depression, including major depressive disorder (MDD). It is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
What antidepressants can be combined with bupropion? ›Atypical antidepressants
In fact, bupropion is one of the most commonly used combination therapy medications. It's often used with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Clinical studies have shown that taking Wellbutrin and Lexapro together can produce beneficial results. Combining Wellbutrin and Lexapro together can improve symptoms in depressed patients. Talk to your doctor or a Minded expert to find out if the combination might work for you.
What can you not mix with citalopram? ›Do not use citalopram with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), methylene blue injection, tryptophan, St John's wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®).
What can you not mix with bupropion? ›- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Ritonavir (Norvir) and any medications that contain ritonavir.
- Efavirenz (Sustiva) and any medications that contain efavirenz.
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR)
- Phenobarbital.
- Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
What is the best antidepressant for energy and motivation? ›
Prozac (fluoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) are examples of “energizing” antidepressants; whereas Paxil (paroxetine) and Celexa (citalopram) tend to be more sedating.
Can you take bupropion and SSRI together? ›The available data suggest that, although not an approved indication, the combination of bupropion and either an SSRI or an SNRI is generally well tolerated, can boost antidepressant response, and can reduce SSRI or SNRI-associated sexual side effects.
Can I take two different antidepressants at the same time? ›Combinations of antidepressants may be useful to enhance efficacy, but these combinations are more commonly used as a strategy to counter the side effects of antidepressant pharmacotherapy. For example, trazodone is frequently combined with SSRIs to combat the insomnia which may result from treatment with an SSRI.
What is the new add on antidepressant? ›Key Takeaways. The FDA has approved Auvelity, a new antidepressant that may treat symptoms faster than other medications. The drug may be especially effective for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Auvelity joins ketamine as a potential new wave of faster-acting antidepressants.
What is the best antidepressant for severe depression? ›...
1. SSRIs
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Tricyclics: amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), notriptyline (Pamelor)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft)
Hydroxyzine (Atarax), an antihistamine, can be helpful for immediate relief of anxiety symptoms. You might also benefit from taking hydroxyzine at the same time as other anxiety medications, like Celexa.
Is it better to take Celexa at night or in the morning? ›You can take it at any time of day, but it's best to stick to the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning.
What drugs interact with buspirone? ›Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication.
What are signs of serotonin syndrome? ›- Agitation or restlessness.
- Insomnia.
- Confusion.
- Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
- Dilated pupils.
- Loss of muscle coordination or twitching muscles.
- High blood pressure.
- Muscle rigidity.
Is bupropion bad for your heart? ›
Bupropion, structurally unrelated to tricyclic antidepressants, is relatively free of cardiac side effects in depressed patients without cardiac disease.