cipralex now citalopram?!

EDIT: First question; were you given citalopram or EScitalopram? There may be an issue here, they are nearly the same but there are some differences. The pharmacist should not have given you citalopram if you were prescribed escitalopram (cipralex)... The es at the start is important as it does signify another similar drug, I missed that. My apologies. If this is the case return them to your pharmacist and request that they rectify the problem.

IF YOU WERE GIVEN escitalopram:

This is something confusing that happens in the pharmaceutical industry, most people who work with medicines wish they wouldn't do it (myself included).

Cipralex is a brand name that the drug escitalopram is sold under. As is Lexapro. What I'm getting at here is that the drug is actually called escitalopram, if you have an old Cipralex pack somewhere, if you take a look at it, you should find it written somewhere. What happens is when a drug is new, only one company can make it and usually they sell it under a brand name, when it has been out for a while, other companies are then able to produce the same medicine under different names, or as a generic product which only uses the actual medicine name, in this case escitalopram.

I'd say that your pharmacist has dispensed a generic branded escitalopram, which pharmacologically is exactly the same as Cipralex or Lexapro I might add. The generic brands are chemically the same as the brand name medicines, they are just generally less expensive, which is why most pharmacies tend to recommend them. Are you in Australia? If so pharmacists are allowed to substitute brands of the same medicine (escitalopram) if the doctor has authorised it on the script.

I myself work in a pharmacy and recommend them all day and take generic medicines where I can.

If you are feeling off, it's unlikely that it is the brand change of medicine because as I have mentioned, they are the same. That being said, some of the packing agents can differ which can (rarely) upset some people. Is anything else going on in your life that could have you feeling different?

biomedical science degree, pharmacy worker

They are both anti-depressants, but the reason that you probably haven't feeling as good is that Citalopram isn't a very good anti-depressant, I was on it for a many months, and it did nothing for me.
Go to your pharmacy and mention the mistake, also go to your GP or psychiatrist and tell him everything that happened.

Ciraplex is also an antidepressant like Citalopram, but it is definitely two completely different drugs. You need to call your doctor and find out what on earth he is doing changing your meds without discussing it with you or if he made a mistake.

contact your gp and tell him how the tablets are effecting you and he will be able to give you the best info on it - but, probably is the tablets

Good luck..