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Are Spenzo And Cipralex Advisable For Sleep Disorder?

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Posted on Tue, 13 Sep 2016
Question: Hi, i was on spenzo 0.5 mg and cipralex 10mg for about 3 months when my doc changed my medicine to stalopalm lite because of sleep problems . i took stalopalm for 6 to 7 dys only because it would induce a lot of drowsiness and stopped it and shifted to taloprex 10 mg for 2 dys . i visited the doc and i was asked to go back to spenzo and cipralex. its been 3 dys that i am again taking cipralex and spenzo but i donot feel good at all , i don get sleep and i donot want to wake up from bed at all . i am dragging myself to work and experiencing a lot of lethary and loss of appetite . are these side effects of cipralex and spenzo ? but i had given a gap of only 10 dys between starting and stopping the medicine . why should i experience side effects when i was already used to this medicine? how long would it take for this medicine to take effect ? is this medicine good for sleep disorder ? i donot want any sedatives as they don suit me . pls help as i am very worried abt it .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Increase the dose gradually.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.

The symptoms of lethargy, decreased interest, poor appetite are possibly a part of your depression. I think it has relapsed because of changing of drugs too frequently.
Even though these are different brands (cipralex,stalopam, taloprex) of same drug escitalopram, chaging the brands too frequently can cause relapse of symptoms.

I would suggest you to continue with these drugs for another week. Then the dose should be increased to 15mg and gradually to maximum dose of 20mg.
As the symptoms would resolve, sleep will gradually improve.

Kindly consult your doctor and discuss this.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)
do u really think its a relapse of depression when i was otherwise fine on spenzo and cipralex or is it side effects of taking the medicine again ? how long should i wait to see if this is relapse of depression and consult my doc to change dose ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (22 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Relapse of depression.

Detailed Answer:
In my opinion, it is relapse of depression.
As you were taking the drugs earlier, these symptoms should have been present earlier too if these were the side effects of drugs.

I would suggest you to take the drugs for another one week. Request your doctor for dose increment if need be.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 minutes later)
can relapse happen if even someone is on continuous medication ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Yes.

Detailed Answer:
yes. Even the change of drug brands can cause relapse of depression in some people.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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Are Spenzo And Cipralex Advisable For Sleep Disorder?

Brief Answer: Increase the dose gradually. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I can understand your concerns. The symptoms of lethargy, decreased interest, poor appetite are possibly a part of your depression. I think it has relapsed because of changing of drugs too frequently. Even though these are different brands (cipralex,stalopam, taloprex) of same drug escitalopram, chaging the brands too frequently can cause relapse of symptoms. I would suggest you to continue with these drugs for another week. Then the dose should be increased to 15mg and gradually to maximum dose of 20mg. As the symptoms would resolve, sleep will gradually improve. Kindly consult your doctor and discuss this. Hope this helps. Thanks.