OK, I talked with a pharmacist.

Eil4186
Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone, thanks so much for all the replies about my concerns about tamoxifen and antidepressants.

I had been perscribed wellbutrin by my pcp. Then I called my onc's office and spoke to a nurse and she told me that the only ones that are ok w/tamoxifen are prozac, zoloft, lexapro and celeza.

Then you guys told me that those are wrong. Well, I didn't know what to think. So, I guess I either misunderstood the nurse or she misunderstood me. I talked with a pharmacist yesterday and she said that the only antidepressants that she knows of (and she showed it to me in writing from a print out for pharmacists only) are, lexapro, celexa and effexor. Period.

Lexapro does not help me so I reseached the side effects for the other two and since effexor can raise your cholesterol and blood pressure I think I'll choose celexa.

I would love to hear from anyone currently taking celexa in regards to its effectiveness and side effects. Thanks!!! Eil

Comments

  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #2
    Eil
    I am not on tamoxifen, but I am on celexa, the Dr. told me this is the generic of lexapro... and the only difference is price. Lexapro cost me 98$ a month but celexa is only 4 dollars a month at Wall-Mart.

    I have no side effects from Celexa. I think it is helping, but can't be sure since most of my depression is situational.

    Hope this helps, and my best to you.

    Hugs, jackie
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #3
    Sorry, Eil...
    Truthfully, I have no relevant personal experience with this subject... But, I've been reading the threads and am so disheartened by all the confusion surrounding this subject.

    Gosh - we are the patients! And should be able to trust those that prescribe medications - the experts. Sheesh.

    I'll be hoping you get the help you need from this new-to-you med.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #4
    Best of luck, Eil!
    I've been on Zoloft for nearly 15 years now, and I couldn't imagine what I would do if I were told that I couldn't take it any more. I hope and pray that Celexa does the job for you, pronto!
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #5
    Glad you finally understood
    Glad you finally understood about the antidepressants. Those are the only 3 that I know of that are considered safe if you are taking tamoxifen. Good luck with celexa.
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    #6
    susie09 said:

    Glad you finally understood
    Glad you finally understood about the antidepressants. Those are the only 3 that I know of that are considered safe if you are taking tamoxifen. Good luck with celexa.

    Thanks you guys for your
    Thanks you guys for your encouraging words and support! I too hope that this medicationa combined w/counseling can help me to get to where I was before cancer----happy and care-free!!!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #7
    Eil4186 said:

    Thanks you guys for your
    Thanks you guys for your encouraging words and support! I too hope that this medicationa combined w/counseling can help me to get to where I was before cancer----happy and care-free!!!

    I never have taken any
    I never have taken any antidepressant. But, I hope that the celexa helps you. I am not sure of the side effects. I am sure your oncologist can help you there and google it.

    Hugs, Diane ♥
  • dmc_emmy
    dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549
    #8
    Eil4186 said:

    Thanks you guys for your
    Thanks you guys for your encouraging words and support! I too hope that this medicationa combined w/counseling can help me to get to where I was before cancer----happy and care-free!!!

    Eil4186...it's not the same thing, but
    maybe this will help. My husband was having some severe anxiety/depression issues that caused him to become very angry at the smallest thing. Our dr put him on celexa, and he is back to the man I married. The original dose was upped to a higher level, after he was on it for awhile. I heard that this was common. Rarely, does my husband totally "lose it" anymore and I thank celexa for this.

    As for side effects, initially, the celexa made my husband very tired. I guess his body needed time to adjust to the medication. Now, he can go most of the day, with the exception of his afternoon naps. He's retired, so those afternoon naps are possible and something he looks forward to...ahhh, to be retired (I wish I was, then I would leave this cold state and head back to where I belong--anywhere south of Mason Dixie Line).

    Hope this helps.
    dmc

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