Addicted to zolfish. Having a history of depression. Treatment? - Online Doctor Chats
Answered by
Practicing since : 2005
Answered : 2408 Questions
Hi
Hi
how can I help you?
Hello Dr. This is in regards to my father.
Yes, please go ahead
Recently we have found that he's addicted to Zolfresh
Okay
he's not a patient of imsomnia
Okay
I guess this medicine is advised to those people only.
He has a history of depression
Okay
recently, he was diagnosed with high sugar
Okay
Today morning his sugar dipped to 40
If we ask him about Zolfresh, he denies any intake
Okay
but always at the noon time, we can figure out that he's under influence of sleep
Okay
How old is your father?
and if we tell him in the evening that you did this or that in the afternoon, he has no clue of it
he is 63 years old
Okay
I just want to know how bad is it for him to take this medicine
he takes one on daily basis
Since how long have you noticed this kind of memory problems?
and also if there is anyway he starts hating that
around 5-6 months
Okay
since how many days has he started taking this medicine?
I am not sure but its been really long
Okay
more than a year at least. I won't be surprised if he was taking this medicine for more than 2 years
Zolfresh is a medicine that only induces sleep
the side effects are very bad
It doesn't prolong the sleep
according to some websites
does it hamper the sugar level?
Yes, there are many side effects but they don't occur to all people
no
it has no effect on sugar levels
okay
is there anyway, we can make him leave that medicine
he's not insomniac
the way to make him leave that tablet is to gradually taper the dosage and consult a psychiatrist to see counsel him
you mean decrease the dosage?
Yes
the dosage has to decreased gradually over a period of weeks to months
if somehow he manages to leave the medicine, are there any withdrawal symptoms
The most important withdrawal symptom is rebound insomnia
okay
Thanks a lot Dr.
From your description I feel he needs a complete evaluation by a psychiatrist
to rule out memory problems
okay
with old age the problems of dementia set in
ohh is it!
Yes
hmm...you are right. We should consult a psychiatrist
Thanks a lot...it was really helpful.
The other thought that comes to my mind is Alzheimer disease
What is this?
Alzheimer disease is a degenerative disorder affecting the brain
this is also characterized by memory problems, depression
ohh
So you should consult a neurologist and a psychiatrist to see if he has any of these problems
yes sure
and after that you can decide if he needs any medicines or can this Zolfresh can be tapered off or not
Is there anything else you would like to discuss?
Sure
No Dr.
Okay
thanks for the discussion
Good night
Thank you for chatting with me
goodnight
Related questions you may be interested in
Other doctor chats you may be interested in
