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Suggest Treatment For Depression Inspite Of Having Duloxetine
Question: I have had talk therapy and don't need any more. Nothing has changed in my life, it has only gotten better! I am distressed because I am feeling down again. I have switched from Cymbalta 60 mg (due to the cost) to Duloxetine 60 mg. That did not help so my doctor prescribed 120 mg. I have been on 120 mg for almost ten days with no relief. Yesterday, he added Clonazepam 0.5 (but only half of that each morning). First of all, is there still hope the 120 mg of Duloxetine will kick in? How much longer? And will the added Clonazepam help? I understand this drug can be addicting. Thanks so much for your help.
Brief Answer:
Please see details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I read your query and can understand your concern regarding your condition as well as the medications prescribed.
The maximum recommended dose of Duloxetine is usually 120 mg/day. We generally wait for 3-4 weeks for a drug to show its response. You are already 10 days into it. So, I guess we can wait for few more days. If in another week or so, there is no improvement in your depressive symptoms, it would be recommended that another anti-depressant is tried.
Clonazepam might have been added by your doctor to decrease anxiety. It is usually added for a short term till the anti-depressant medications start showing its effect.. Thereafter it can be tapered off. You are right when you say that it can be addicting. But if taken under proper supervision and for short term period, it can be very helpful.
I hope I was able to answer your query. Please feel free to ask any follow up query that you might have.
Wishing you speedy recovery,
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Please see details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I read your query and can understand your concern regarding your condition as well as the medications prescribed.
The maximum recommended dose of Duloxetine is usually 120 mg/day. We generally wait for 3-4 weeks for a drug to show its response. You are already 10 days into it. So, I guess we can wait for few more days. If in another week or so, there is no improvement in your depressive symptoms, it would be recommended that another anti-depressant is tried.
Clonazepam might have been added by your doctor to decrease anxiety. It is usually added for a short term till the anti-depressant medications start showing its effect.. Thereafter it can be tapered off. You are right when you say that it can be addicting. But if taken under proper supervision and for short term period, it can be very helpful.
I hope I was able to answer your query. Please feel free to ask any follow up query that you might have.
Wishing you speedy recovery,
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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