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Can Citalopram Fluoxetine Or Paroxetine Be Taken In Place Of Venlafaxine?

Posted on Wed, 16 Nov 2016

Question: I have been taking .75mg Venlafaxine XR twice a day but Medicare will no longer cover it. They gave me three medicines that might work. Citalopram Fluoxetine and Paroxetine. Which one would you recommend?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Of those medications, fluoxetine and citalopram are both excellent medications and very effective with only minor side effects when starting (like nausea for a few days). I would avoid paroxetine as missing doses of it can sometimes cause withdrawal.

Dr Sheppe
tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (32 minutes later)

I forgot to tell you that they were for hot flashes. Do fluoxetine and citalopram stop hot flashes like Venlafaxine?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Yes, I would expect either to help with hot flashes.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee