Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Dosage Of Nortriptyline, Trazodone And Escitalopram
Question: I have been on 20 mg of Escitalopram and 25 g of Trazadone for a little bit over a year.
I started taking 10 mg of Notriptyiine 4 weeks ago and after 2 weeks I started taking 25 mg. My Psychiatrist said that it alone would probably not do much but gave me some anyway. I thought about this knowing that I was missing 2 out of the 3 keys to happiness 1. Something to do 2. Something to look forward 3. Something to love (person, pet etc).
So I decided to get back into what I really loved and was good at which is doing technical analysis of financial markets. I forced myself to slowly start analsying the markets after my visit to him. Since then my mood had improved substantially 2 weekends ago I started unpacking some books and other things in my new apt and it felt good and my mood improved some more. At the same time I had the best conversation with my daughter (we`re close) that I've had in about 2 years. She herself has started looking at the markets and we had great conversation. Last weekend is the best I've felt in more than 2 years. I now feel like my old self with self-motivation and seeing the world in color rather than gray I have physical symptoms such as dry mouth and flatulence and a heavy feeling since I started the Nortriptyline.
I want to minimize these by withdrawing from the Nortriptyline by starting to take 25 mg every 2nd day for a week then every 3rd the following week etc. When I see my psychiatrist at the end of September I want to talk to him about reducing the other drugs until I'm completely off medication. This is the 1st time I've taken medication for illness since 1998.
So is my approach good in order to minimize withdrawal? If not what do you suggest? Thanks.
I started taking 10 mg of Notriptyiine 4 weeks ago and after 2 weeks I started taking 25 mg. My Psychiatrist said that it alone would probably not do much but gave me some anyway. I thought about this knowing that I was missing 2 out of the 3 keys to happiness 1. Something to do 2. Something to look forward 3. Something to love (person, pet etc).
So I decided to get back into what I really loved and was good at which is doing technical analysis of financial markets. I forced myself to slowly start analsying the markets after my visit to him. Since then my mood had improved substantially 2 weekends ago I started unpacking some books and other things in my new apt and it felt good and my mood improved some more. At the same time I had the best conversation with my daughter (we`re close) that I've had in about 2 years. She herself has started looking at the markets and we had great conversation. Last weekend is the best I've felt in more than 2 years. I now feel like my old self with self-motivation and seeing the world in color rather than gray I have physical symptoms such as dry mouth and flatulence and a heavy feeling since I started the Nortriptyline.
I want to minimize these by withdrawing from the Nortriptyline by starting to take 25 mg every 2nd day for a week then every 3rd the following week etc. When I see my psychiatrist at the end of September I want to talk to him about reducing the other drugs until I'm completely off medication. This is the 1st time I've taken medication for illness since 1998.
So is my approach good in order to minimize withdrawal? If not what do you suggest? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
dose reducing regimes as detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your details and understand your concerns.
You have motivated yourself and your depression has faded away. It is wonderful on your part.
25mg nortriptyline is a low dose. You have increased the dose from 10 mg to 25mg from just 2 weeks only.
In my opinion, you can reduce back to 10mg for a week and then stop. There should not be any or minimal withdrawal symptoms.
Regarding trazodone, 25mg again is a low dose. You can reduce to half for a week and then take on SOS basis for insomnia.
Escitalopram 20 mg is the higher dose. It has to be gradually tapered, reducing by 5mg every two weeks.
Please take care that your symptoms do not relapse once you stop your drugs.
Kindly keep your doctor informed about this.
Hope this helps.
I wish you well.
Thanks.
dose reducing regimes as detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your details and understand your concerns.
You have motivated yourself and your depression has faded away. It is wonderful on your part.
25mg nortriptyline is a low dose. You have increased the dose from 10 mg to 25mg from just 2 weeks only.
In my opinion, you can reduce back to 10mg for a week and then stop. There should not be any or minimal withdrawal symptoms.
Regarding trazodone, 25mg again is a low dose. You can reduce to half for a week and then take on SOS basis for insomnia.
Escitalopram 20 mg is the higher dose. It has to be gradually tapered, reducing by 5mg every two weeks.
Please take care that your symptoms do not relapse once you stop your drugs.
Kindly keep your doctor informed about this.
Hope this helps.
I wish you well.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
