Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Suffering From Anxiety, Seratonin Syndrome. Taking Pristiq, Lexapro. Safe To Increase Medication Dosage?
I am taking 200 mg of Pristiq and 30 mg lexapro and 450 wellbutrin. i need to raise my lexapro up to 40mg because i have alot of anxiety and it helped so much when i took 40 mg before i started the pristiq but now that pristiq has been added i m afraid to up it because of seratonin syndrome . what is your opinion on this? is it safe to up it to 40mg?
Tue, 22 Jan 2013
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
You are on high doses of 3 anti-depressants - Lexapro, Pristiq and Wellbutrin. All three have an effect of increasing the serotonin levels in the brain, and any further increase in dose will definitely increase the risk of a serotonin syndrome. Moreover, 30mg of Lexapro itself is quite a high dose and increasing further may not help.
Most importantly, it is NOT advisable to alter or change psychiatris medication on your own, especially when you are on a combination of medication. Please consult your psychiatrist for further advise.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
You are on high doses of 3 anti-depressants - Lexapro, Pristiq and Wellbutrin. All three have an effect of increasing the serotonin levels in the brain, and any further increase in dose will definitely increase the risk of a serotonin syndrome. Moreover, 30mg of Lexapro itself is quite a high dose and increasing further may not help.
Most importantly, it is NOT advisable to alter or change psychiatris medication on your own, especially when you are on a combination of medication. Please consult your psychiatrist for further advise.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
I find this answer helpful
Hello......
Thanks for your query. Simultaneous administration of three antidepressant that too at higher doses is not advisable. At the maximum only two antidepressants are recommended to be combined together.It definitely carries the risk of serotenergic syndrome. Self medication is not advisable. Request your psychiatrist to minimise number of medication and optimise the dosage. Wish you speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Thanks for your query. Simultaneous administration of three antidepressant that too at higher doses is not advisable. At the maximum only two antidepressants are recommended to be combined together.It definitely carries the risk of serotenergic syndrome. Self medication is not advisable. Request your psychiatrist to minimise number of medication and optimise the dosage. Wish you speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
I find this answer helpful
_1589130903.jpg "Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar, Psychiatrist"){kind=icon}
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Pristiq
Loading Online Doctors....