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Should I Continue Rexpra Intake For Depression?

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Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014
Question: I am taking rexpra 10 mg two tablets eceryday in morning for last five months. Now feeling little better Should i cintinue!' Or else pls advise. I cant sleep I am taking alprazolam .5 mg in night Blood pressure medicine. Telma 80 am in morning
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Carry on with drug at same dose Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query. If you are taking rexipra (escitalopram) for depression or any anxiety disorder, then take it for next 3-4 more months. In first episode of depression or anxiety disorder, duration of treatment is around 7 to 9 months, so take it for few more months. In case, you have past history of depression or anxiety disorder, then you have to take it for longer period. Never stop it abruptly. If you try to stop rexipra at this dose, you could get relapse, so when ever you would stop it, stop it gradually under psychiatrist consultation. For sleep, you can increase the dose of alprazolam to 1mg or could shift to another benzodiazepine like zolpidem, which has less dependence or abuse potential. For this drug, you have to consult a psychiatrist as it is not available over the counter. In case, you need further help, you can ask. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (2 hours later)
Thanks. Sir. I am very happy with response as used it first time I just briefing the background I am into my own business since last thirty years Doing well but stress and tension were always there And was used to tobacco and pan masala Slowly i was trapped in alcohal too In case of no alcohal. I was dependent on trika There was no physical activity In last five years until 2012 dec my drinks were very high say ariund six large everyday followed by on trika in morning to feel comfortable Since 2013 XXXXXXX i have left all vices except a little tobacco in pan But trika had increase to 2.5 mg in whole day to fight withdrawal Suddenly in july last year i lost appetite and was having urge to increase trika Therfore i went to doctor and he suggested for rexipra 10 mg to start with and then slowly took it to 20 mg on dec end. From XXXXXXX end i started feeling better and at present taking 20 mg rexipra in morning and ,5g trika in evening plus again in night I am overall ok wirh this but good sleep looks to be dream now My expectation is having good sleep and cone out from trika as well Otherwise there is a very good changes as weight has come down to 85 from 105 level still 15 kg higher Now sir. Help me to come out from trika as it is not helping for sleep. Still i cant even think to miss it What could the best cure despite any cost Rexipra i am ok with tapering down slowly Sexual dysfunction was also there as nil but after leaving alcohal ir has improved very little since few months Sir. I need the best treatment and medicine availiable in the world I am very much sole responsible for my big family and now determined to be more active than what i was 25 years before even. I am very lazy as could not even attend my gym guide who was called to home in morning by my wife The main problem looks to me is sound sleep My doctor has given me along with trika one tab of miritaz 7.5 mg. i took only two days and felt very irritating with tremendous idiotic pains in legs Whole night i had to suffer from restlessness in legs So i left that. Now i am taking trika but cant sleep at all. Sir i can update you any querry if you have. Otherwise all general test of blood are ok. Except i have little high uric acid and chronic arthirities Vitamins level are also ok with suppplements Sex problem is still there though not that worst as used to be in alcohalic times Dandruff problems are there. Blood pressure is in control with medicine. Morning stool clearance is not good. Now with reduced trika i feel some time tremor type for few seconds in afternoon once or twice but after taking trika its ok by evening. Sir please advise the best possible Respectful regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Try trazodone a sedative antidepressant Detailed Answer: HI I think, you have benzodiazepine dependence and in that case, rexipra is not a nice option. In benzodiazepine dependence, either shift patients to longer acting benzodiazepine or sedative antidepressants. Longer acting benzodiazepine is not good option in your case. You could become dependent upon it too. You have already tried mirtazapine, in that case, i would suggest you trazodone. It is sedative antidepressant, that would help you to control anxiety due to withdrawal and get sound sleep at night. It has one good side effect that it increase penile erection that would help you to improve sexual dysfunction. Better to consult with your doctor about this drug and taper down rexipra. In case, you need more help, you can ask. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (3 hours later)
Sir in case of trazodone then i dont need rexipra Can stop rexipra immediate and start trazodone immediatly or what sir Trazodone any power or only one comes
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (6 hours later)
Brief Answer: Stop rexipra gradually Detailed Answer: Hi With trazodone, there is no need of rexipra. You can stop it, but do it gradually by decreasing 5mg per week and mean time increase dose of trazodone 50mg per week to 100mg/week. This is called cross tapering. Better to take a psychiatrist consultation. Trazodone is not available over the counter and psychiatrist would help you to stop rexipra and start trazdone. In case, you need further help, you can ask. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Abhishek Kapoor

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2496 Questions

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Should I Continue Rexpra Intake For Depression?

Brief Answer: Carry on with drug at same dose Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query. If you are taking rexipra (escitalopram) for depression or any anxiety disorder, then take it for next 3-4 more months. In first episode of depression or anxiety disorder, duration of treatment is around 7 to 9 months, so take it for few more months. In case, you have past history of depression or anxiety disorder, then you have to take it for longer period. Never stop it abruptly. If you try to stop rexipra at this dose, you could get relapse, so when ever you would stop it, stop it gradually under psychiatrist consultation. For sleep, you can increase the dose of alprazolam to 1mg or could shift to another benzodiazepine like zolpidem, which has less dependence or abuse potential. For this drug, you have to consult a psychiatrist as it is not available over the counter. In case, you need further help, you can ask. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist