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Suggest An Alternative Medicine For Zoloft And Xanax

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Posted on Mon, 22 Sep 2014
Question: I have been on Zoloft for over ten plus years and Xanax. I don't feel that they are working anymore. Do I have to start a new medication which I dread because I, scared of side effects. What should I do
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it can be done

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.

What you are experiencing is commonly observed with antidepressants after use for certain period of time.
The following are the option for you
1. If zoloft is still working for certain extent than the dose of zoloft can be increased. Please note that if you are receiving 200 mg than it is not a viable option as 200 mg is the maximum prescribed dose for zoloft.

2. In case you have almost all symptoms of problem for which you are using zoloft than stopping zoloft is advisable. Other than this you can start on other SSRI gruop of medicine like prozac, lexapro or paroxetine. They are from the same class to which zoloft belongs and have almost similar side effects. I hope you can tolerate different medicine from same class.

3. Your current medication can be augmented with lower dose of thyroid hormone if you have subtle or overt hypothyroidism.

4. There is also option of augmentation with antipsychotic class of medicine if there is some response with zoloft and you reached the maximum possible dose of zoloft.

5. You can go for psychotherapy along with medication which is devoid of any side effects.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
Thanks and regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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Suggest An Alternative Medicine For Zoloft And Xanax

Brief Answer: Yes it can be done Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using healthcaremagic. What you are experiencing is commonly observed with antidepressants after use for certain period of time. The following are the option for you 1. If zoloft is still working for certain extent than the dose of zoloft can be increased. Please note that if you are receiving 200 mg than it is not a viable option as 200 mg is the maximum prescribed dose for zoloft. 2. In case you have almost all symptoms of problem for which you are using zoloft than stopping zoloft is advisable. Other than this you can start on other SSRI gruop of medicine like prozac, lexapro or paroxetine. They are from the same class to which zoloft belongs and have almost similar side effects. I hope you can tolerate different medicine from same class. 3. Your current medication can be augmented with lower dose of thyroid hormone if you have subtle or overt hypothyroidism. 4. There is also option of augmentation with antipsychotic class of medicine if there is some response with zoloft and you reached the maximum possible dose of zoloft. 5. You can go for psychotherapy along with medication which is devoid of any side effects. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback. Thanks and regards