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How Long Can Diazepam Be Used For Depression?

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Posted on Mon, 5 May 2014
Question: how long should a person suffering depression be aloud the use of diazepam? Also, how long is it before seeing effects while taking citalopram...My learned knowledge is that citalopram, is a better treatment for depression than diazepam. Please, help, that my wife is suffering from depression due to bipolar and a hard fall to the floor in the hospital.
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Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer: citalopram generally takes 2-3 weeks to act Detailed Answer: Hello, Please donot worry, I will try to help you. 1. Diazepam is not an antidepressant or antimanic drug. It is a benzodiazapine drug used in bipolar and other psychiatric disorders to improve sleep/ agitation/ anxiety issues. So, it is used as per the need of the hour. Its use is preffered to be short as it has addiction potential and gradually loses effect over time and more drug is needed. 2. Citalopram takes 2-3 weeks on an average to show results in patients. So, we generally wait for this much time before hiking the dose. 3. Looking at her comorbidities, I think sertraline will be a better drug for her. It is cardio safe and a mild molecule. If your wife is taking diazepam in daytime or taking a high dose of diazepam at night- the fall could be related to its sedative effect. I have tried to provide you the facts related to the situation. Now should discuss the points with her trating team. Wish you good health. Please feel free to ask more question for clarification. Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Psychiatry
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Manisha Gopal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 947 Questions

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How Long Can Diazepam Be Used For Depression?

Brief Answer: citalopram generally takes 2-3 weeks to act Detailed Answer: Hello, Please donot worry, I will try to help you. 1. Diazepam is not an antidepressant or antimanic drug. It is a benzodiazapine drug used in bipolar and other psychiatric disorders to improve sleep/ agitation/ anxiety issues. So, it is used as per the need of the hour. Its use is preffered to be short as it has addiction potential and gradually loses effect over time and more drug is needed. 2. Citalopram takes 2-3 weeks on an average to show results in patients. So, we generally wait for this much time before hiking the dose. 3. Looking at her comorbidities, I think sertraline will be a better drug for her. It is cardio safe and a mild molecule. If your wife is taking diazepam in daytime or taking a high dose of diazepam at night- the fall could be related to its sedative effect. I have tried to provide you the facts related to the situation. Now should discuss the points with her trating team. Wish you good health. Please feel free to ask more question for clarification. Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Psychiatry