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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety And Depression

I am a 52 year old female who is dealing with ongoing anxiety and depression every couple of years it gets bad and unmanageable. I have not menstruated for 10 years. I am currently on 75 mg of sertraline and also quetiapine 25-25 mg to help me sleep. I had been on these a few years back in 2010 and was up to 100 mg of sertraline, but I am experiencing trouble this time. Much anxty especially at work and I feel like I'm not able to handle the even tasks that I normally could. I feel like I'm going crazy and that things are as bad or worse than I was without medication back in Feb. 2015.
Now we have decided to get me off 25mg at a time and I wanted to try something else, so we are adding 5 mg of cipralex. My concern now is this anti-depressant the similar type to sertraline?
Thu, 23 Jul 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. If we consider psycho-pharmacology of both Sertraline and Cipralex (Escitalopram) then both drugs belong to same group of antidepressants that is SSRIs. Efficacy of both drugs is same but they may vary in side effect profile and tolerability. If an individual fails to respond to on SSRI he/she might respond to other SSRI. So if with Sertraline your symptoms are persisting then you can think for shifting to Cipralex instead of Sertraline. I'd also advise you to wean off the Sertraline first and then start taking Cipralex because taking both drugs together might increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Visit your doctor before starting the drug. The drug is safe to use.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist.
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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety And Depression

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. If we consider psycho-pharmacology of both Sertraline and Cipralex (Escitalopram) then both drugs belong to same group of antidepressants that is SSRIs. Efficacy of both drugs is same but they may vary in side effect profile and tolerability. If an individual fails to respond to on SSRI he/she might respond to other SSRI. So if with Sertraline your symptoms are persisting then you can think for shifting to Cipralex instead of Sertraline. I d also advise you to wean off the Sertraline first and then start taking Cipralex because taking both drugs together might increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Visit your doctor before starting the drug. The drug is safe to use. Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist.