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Suggest Treatment For Dizziness And Confusion While Weaning Off Alcohol
Question: hi my dad taking
stablon 12.5mg 3 times a day
baclofen 10mg 3 times a day
since last 13 days for his treatment of alcohol de addiction and depression. he is not drinking since then and feeling bit better.
but he feels dizziness. he goes to school so he find it difficult there because of dizziness and confusion.
and he has tears running in his eyes.
so what can be done about it. since all these must be because of medicines
if we decrease the doses wont it affect the treatment since its just 13 days on these medicines.
for your kind information he was under other psychiatrist for 2 months before these 13 days.but difference is he was still drinking at that time few days a week but in small amount. for one month he was on - haloperidol , neocalm , clonazepam. then next month fluxotine 20mg and topamax 25-50mg was added. he had psychosis also only after drinking.
although his drinking was reduced in those two months, but it is these 13 days he has completed stopped.
so in order to minimize side effects what can be done so that his depression and alcoholism doesn't come back.
stablon 12.5mg 3 times a day
baclofen 10mg 3 times a day
since last 13 days for his treatment of alcohol de addiction and depression. he is not drinking since then and feeling bit better.
but he feels dizziness. he goes to school so he find it difficult there because of dizziness and confusion.
and he has tears running in his eyes.
so what can be done about it. since all these must be because of medicines
if we decrease the doses wont it affect the treatment since its just 13 days on these medicines.
for your kind information he was under other psychiatrist for 2 months before these 13 days.but difference is he was still drinking at that time few days a week but in small amount. for one month he was on - haloperidol , neocalm , clonazepam. then next month fluxotine 20mg and topamax 25-50mg was added. he had psychosis also only after drinking.
although his drinking was reduced in those two months, but it is these 13 days he has completed stopped.
so in order to minimize side effects what can be done so that his depression and alcoholism doesn't come back.
Brief Answer:
Wait for some more days and if symptoms persist talk to his doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Your dad is on Tianeptin 12.5 three times and Baclofen 10 three times a day. He has just stopped the alcohol and is having dizziness, confusion, tears through eyes etc symptoms. These symptoms are related to the side effects of the drugs he is taking. In most of individuals these side effects reduce in severity in about 1-2 weeks of starting the drug but in some this may take long time.
He used to be a regular alcohol drinker and stopped only 13 days back. He is also not on any benzodiazepine or brain depressant to ease withdrawal of alcohol. The lack of these drugs is also potentiating the side effects of these drugs and is causing symptoms. If on waiting for 3-5 days symptoms persist then visit his psychiatrist again and ask for prescription of a low dose benzodiazepine drug. Clonazepam or Lorazepam in low doses on SOS basis can help to reduce the severity of his symptoms and his symptoms would not relapse. Alternatively drugs like Gabapentin or Pregabalin if taken on regular basis can also help. These drugs will reduce the craving as well as will reduce the severity of side effects. Please talk to his doctor for these drugs.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Wait for some more days and if symptoms persist talk to his doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Your dad is on Tianeptin 12.5 three times and Baclofen 10 three times a day. He has just stopped the alcohol and is having dizziness, confusion, tears through eyes etc symptoms. These symptoms are related to the side effects of the drugs he is taking. In most of individuals these side effects reduce in severity in about 1-2 weeks of starting the drug but in some this may take long time.
He used to be a regular alcohol drinker and stopped only 13 days back. He is also not on any benzodiazepine or brain depressant to ease withdrawal of alcohol. The lack of these drugs is also potentiating the side effects of these drugs and is causing symptoms. If on waiting for 3-5 days symptoms persist then visit his psychiatrist again and ask for prescription of a low dose benzodiazepine drug. Clonazepam or Lorazepam in low doses on SOS basis can help to reduce the severity of his symptoms and his symptoms would not relapse. Alternatively drugs like Gabapentin or Pregabalin if taken on regular basis can also help. These drugs will reduce the craving as well as will reduce the severity of side effects. Please talk to his doctor for these drugs.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you for your reply.
i dont remember the name but he has been prescribed a pill at night which he told was to get sleep or better sleep. that may be benzodiazepine.
anyway, i will meet with psychiatrist and get it fixed.
i would like to know , since now he has stopped drinking and i feel he would not like to drink anymore. what will be his treatment now onwards.
like how does would be varied and till when?
and when medications can be stopped?
i skipped a word in second last line.
like hoe doses would be varied and till when?
i dont remember the name but he has been prescribed a pill at night which he told was to get sleep or better sleep. that may be benzodiazepine.
anyway, i will meet with psychiatrist and get it fixed.
i would like to know , since now he has stopped drinking and i feel he would not like to drink anymore. what will be his treatment now onwards.
like how does would be varied and till when?
and when medications can be stopped?
i skipped a word in second last line.
like hoe doses would be varied and till when?
Brief Answer:
Maintenance treatment should be continued to about 6 months.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question
As he has stopped drinking completely 13 days back only so at present to reduce the mild withdrawal benzodiazepines would be needed for him. These drugs will reduce the mild withdrawal and will ease the anxiety. He is already taking anticraving drug BACLOFEN and the drug will reduce the craving. Gabapentine or Pregabalin can be added to his prescription also. These drugs will not only help in anti-craving action but will reduce the anxiety also.
The anti craving drugs should be continued for at least 6 months of stopping the alcohol to prevent the relapse. After successful passage of this maintenance phase the drug doses can be tapered gradually over 4 weeks. Though the treatment appears to be long but long duration will prevent the relapse to the alcohol. So no need to worry, he has passed the acute phase of withdrawal. Provide him good support and keep him motivated and he will not take alcohol again.
Thanks, Still have more doubts please ask again.
Take care
Maintenance treatment should be continued to about 6 months.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question
As he has stopped drinking completely 13 days back only so at present to reduce the mild withdrawal benzodiazepines would be needed for him. These drugs will reduce the mild withdrawal and will ease the anxiety. He is already taking anticraving drug BACLOFEN and the drug will reduce the craving. Gabapentine or Pregabalin can be added to his prescription also. These drugs will not only help in anti-craving action but will reduce the anxiety also.
The anti craving drugs should be continued for at least 6 months of stopping the alcohol to prevent the relapse. After successful passage of this maintenance phase the drug doses can be tapered gradually over 4 weeks. Though the treatment appears to be long but long duration will prevent the relapse to the alcohol. So no need to worry, he has passed the acute phase of withdrawal. Provide him good support and keep him motivated and he will not take alcohol again.
Thanks, Still have more doubts please ask again.
Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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