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Can Stalopam Be Taken In Place Of Eption?
Question: I have been taking Eption past 17 years and recently when i visited neurologist, he suggested me to taper it down and suggested stalopam 5mg while reducing eption. Is it good to take stalopam. Please advise
Brief Answer:
Stalopam will help to reduce anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
Eptoin or Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant drug and is used in seizure disorders. You are taking the drug since last 17 years and now your doctor suggested to reduce the doses. Commonly gradual tapering of doses of Eptoin are advised to prevent side effects.
Stalopam is Escitalopram. At 5 mg doses the drug is safe to use and is free of any serious side effects. It is good to take Stalopam and the drug will help to reduce your anxiety.
I want to know few things in follow up question-
- For what reasons you have been prescribed Eptoin?
- What doses of Eptoin are you taking?
- Have you ever had any seizures while on Eptoin?
Please provide these details in follow up question so that I can provide you more details.
Thanks, hope this helps you.
Stalopam will help to reduce anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
Eptoin or Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant drug and is used in seizure disorders. You are taking the drug since last 17 years and now your doctor suggested to reduce the doses. Commonly gradual tapering of doses of Eptoin are advised to prevent side effects.
Stalopam is Escitalopram. At 5 mg doses the drug is safe to use and is free of any serious side effects. It is good to take Stalopam and the drug will help to reduce your anxiety.
I want to know few things in follow up question-
- For what reasons you have been prescribed Eptoin?
- What doses of Eptoin are you taking?
- Have you ever had any seizures while on Eptoin?
Please provide these details in follow up question so that I can provide you more details.
Thanks, hope this helps you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you doctor.
I was pricribed eptoin for seizures that i had 27 years back amd subsewuently completely cured
I was taking 50 mg in the morning and 100 mg in the night. Reduced to only night 100 mg for last 45 days and now reduced to 50 mg in the night
Never had after eptoin started
Receintly, mri wss taken and doctor suggested to taper it. Is it mandatory to take stalopam ?
I was pricribed eptoin for seizures that i had 27 years back amd subsewuently completely cured
I was taking 50 mg in the morning and 100 mg in the night. Reduced to only night 100 mg for last 45 days and now reduced to 50 mg in the night
Never had after eptoin started
Receintly, mri wss taken and doctor suggested to taper it. Is it mandatory to take stalopam ?
Brief Answer:
It is not mandatory to take Escitalopram during tapering of Phenytoin
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking a follow up question.
You are now on 50 mg Phenytoin at night and it will be very easy to discontinue the medicine now. Don't stop the medicine immediately as you are taking the medicine since a long time.
No it is not mandatory to take Stalopam. As per my opinion if you are not having any anxiety then there is no need to prescribe Stalopam. Though I have not seen you personally still if you never had any anxiety or depressive issue then no need to take Stalopam. Discuss with your psychiatrist if you really need the drug.
Thanks, hope this helps you.
It is not mandatory to take Escitalopram during tapering of Phenytoin
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking a follow up question.
You are now on 50 mg Phenytoin at night and it will be very easy to discontinue the medicine now. Don't stop the medicine immediately as you are taking the medicine since a long time.
No it is not mandatory to take Stalopam. As per my opinion if you are not having any anxiety then there is no need to prescribe Stalopam. Though I have not seen you personally still if you never had any anxiety or depressive issue then no need to take Stalopam. Discuss with your psychiatrist if you really need the drug.
Thanks, hope this helps you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you doctor.
I have reduced to 50 mg 2 days ago and have been advised to continue on 50 mg for next 1 month and stop completely. Is it normal
I have reduced to 50 mg 2 days ago and have been advised to continue on 50 mg for next 1 month and stop completely. Is it normal
Brief Answer:
Yes that will be fine and is normal
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question
Yes this will be normal but as per my opinion continue to take at least for 45 days and then stop completely. When you stop the drug then for at least a week avoid anything that may lower down seizure threshold like waking up late in night, excessive stress at work, looking in bright lights like on vehicle lights in night, avoid high music etc. This will help in adapting in drug free period, though there is no risk of any side effect.
Thanks
Yes that will be fine and is normal
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question
Yes this will be normal but as per my opinion continue to take at least for 45 days and then stop completely. When you stop the drug then for at least a week avoid anything that may lower down seizure threshold like waking up late in night, excessive stress at work, looking in bright lights like on vehicle lights in night, avoid high music etc. This will help in adapting in drug free period, though there is no risk of any side effect.
Thanks
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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