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What Are The Side Effects Of Lonazep And Mirtazapine?

Posted on Fri, 20 Mar 2015

Question: Between lonazep and mirtaz 7.5 mgwhich one is good ie has less side effect and which one is not a habit forming.I am 72 yrs old.I dont take my bp tab ie 2.5 mg nebicard for bp after taking these medicines.I dont have sugar problems but i take afdura for prrostate problem.i have been recently prescribed with both these medicines at bed time.i got into a bout of depression ie after effect of the demise of my beloved wife who stood by me in all these 42 years.for the last one week I take only lonazep. i am E Chandramouli Retd chief of IT from a leading power generation organisation in south XXXXXXX my present assignment is mentoring corporates and promoting health care by effective connect/ use of technology of today.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Mirtazapine is safer than Lonazap for depression

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern and I am sorry for your loss. You are working and monitoring the work at this age and I really appreciate this. You have developed depressive symptoms after loss of your wife. It is common in individuals to develop symptoms of depression after loss of their spouse. In most individuals symptoms reduce with time but in other they may persist and result in depression.

If we compare Mirtazapine and Clonazepam (Lonazap), then both drugs help in sleep but belongs to different groups. Mirtazapine is an antidepressant drug and it helps in good sleep without causing risk of dependence and tolerance. The drug is not habit forming and it is easier to taper its doses without risk of withdrawal. The drug will also help in depressive symptoms apart from helping in sleep.

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine drug and the drug belongs to sedatives and hypnotics drugs. The drug is mainly used for sleep and anxiety issues. The drug can cause or worsen cognitive impairment in elderly and it also increases risk of falls in night which can result in injuries. The drug can cause tolerance and dependence and this is one of the common reasons that the drug should not be taken regularly for more than 4 weeks unless strongly indicated.

You are otherwise healthy person so as per my opinion you should take Mirtaz regularly for sleep and depressive disorder. Gradually taper the doses of clonazepam and stop using it. Mirtazapine will help in depression and you will feel better. Take the drug doses as per prescription only.

Thanks, hope this helps you. Take care, if you have more doubts please ask again.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (48 hours later)

Thank you Dr,
I have also been advised to take afdura for prostate enlargement.i have been taking it for about 2 months.Since I have no problems in passing urine, is it ok if I stop taking afdura tablet given for prostate enlargement.
Thank you for your concern.
E.Chandramouli

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The drug should not be discontinued as of now

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question

Afdura is Alfuzosin and the drug is used in Benign Prostatic Enlargement. As far as I know the drug should not be discontinued as of now and you should take the drug for one more month. Stop the drug after discussion with your surgeon only. Even you are passing urine normally still to maintain this the drug should be continued for some more time. But as I am a psychiatrist I cant comment on that drug with absolute certainty.

Thanks

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad