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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Severe Depression Be Treated When Only Xanax Works?

My wife is seriously depressed. She is taking Prozac 20 MG/day, but it is not helping yet after 2 weeks. The only drug we have found that helps is Xanax. Her doctor is only giving her .25mg twice a day Web sites indicate she could take more even as an initial dosage. We need something to give her some hope She is wanting to give up. I intend to take her to her Doc tomorrow and just insist a dosage increase. I think she is being so conservative that I could lose my wife. Maybe a new doctor?
Thu, 4 Oct 2018
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

As I can see here, your wife has been prescribed tab Prozac 20 mg and she has taken for 2 weeks. Prozac (Fluoxetine) is a very good medicine prescribed for depression. I would like to tell you that these medicines take at least 4 to 6 weeks to act. Moreover, 20 mg is a starting dose. This dose is not going to help your wife for her depression. Prozac has to be build-up gradually to at least 60 mg in depression. So, discuss with your psychiatrist about building the dose or adding one more antidepressant. Xanax is given for sleep, it won’t help her much for depression.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Prashant Gohil
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How Can Severe Depression Be Treated When Only Xanax Works?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. As I can see here, your wife has been prescribed tab Prozac 20 mg and she has taken for 2 weeks. Prozac (Fluoxetine) is a very good medicine prescribed for depression. I would like to tell you that these medicines take at least 4 to 6 weeks to act. Moreover, 20 mg is a starting dose. This dose is not going to help your wife for her depression. Prozac has to be build-up gradually to at least 60 mg in depression. So, discuss with your psychiatrist about building the dose or adding one more antidepressant. Xanax is given for sleep, it won’t help her much for depression. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Prashant Gohil