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Can Mirtazapine Be Taken Instead Of Quetiapine Safely Without Any Side Effects?

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Posted on Mon, 2 May 2016
Question: SIR I AM TAKING 500MG DICORATE ER, 200MG QUETIPIN AND 50MG LIBRIUM AS I AM SUFFERING FROM BIPOLAR DISORDER. MAY I TAKE 500MG DICORATE ER ,50MG LIBRIUM AND 30MG MIRTAZEPNE INSTEAD OF ABOVE?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I do not recommend this

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

Mirtazapine is an antidepressant and if you do not have any depressive symptoms there is no use of it. In addition if you are having manic or hypomanic symptoms Mirtazepine can worsen the symptoms rather than helping in bipolar disorder.

Additionally 500 mg will be negligible dose for a 49 year male as mood stabilizer. It would be a very small dose than what is required as prophylaxis of bipolar disorder.

So I think such experimentation can have a more disastrous consequences rather than any benefit.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (24 minutes later)
sir i am taking 500mg dicorate er twice a day i.e 1000mg. Should i continue my recent dose as directed my psychiatrist?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

The dose of Divalproex is 15- 35 mg per kg per day. So for a 60 kg person the dose is 900 mg per day to 2000mg per day. So I feel your current dose is in minimal possible rage and it should be continued.

I mean to say that the current dose is minimum possible dose and any further reduction may bring unwanted symptoms. So please continue your current dose.

I hope this clarifies.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (58 minutes later)
Can i stop quetipin as it causes weight gain and sexual discharge problem .However i was on queiipine sr 200mg since last year but i had not such sexual problem. Is the Librium 50mg causes it? PLEASE GUIDE ME WHAT SHOULD i DO


MY RECENT WEIGHT IS 70 KG AND I AM PHYSICALLY FIT. I AM NEITHER SUFFERING FROM DIABETES NOR BLOOD PRESSURE NOR PROSTET AS MY PSA IS 0.672NG/MLONLY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
quetiapine is more likely cause

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for follow up.

Quetiapine is known to cause weight gain and there is need to remain more active so there is no weight gain. The principal of 200 minutes of exercise per week can be followed.

Regarding sexual discharge none of them are the prominent cause but quetiapine can be a risk factor. In that scenario decreasing the dose of quetiapine can help rather than stopping it.

To conclude you can reduce the dose of quetiapine to some extent after talking to your psychiatrist and remain active to avoid any weight gain.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
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http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3350 Questions

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Can Mirtazapine Be Taken Instead Of Quetiapine Safely Without Any Side Effects?

Brief Answer: I do not recommend this Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. Mirtazapine is an antidepressant and if you do not have any depressive symptoms there is no use of it. In addition if you are having manic or hypomanic symptoms Mirtazepine can worsen the symptoms rather than helping in bipolar disorder. Additionally 500 mg will be negligible dose for a 49 year male as mood stabilizer. It would be a very small dose than what is required as prophylaxis of bipolar disorder. So I think such experimentation can have a more disastrous consequences rather than any benefit. I hope this helps you. If you have more questions feel free to write back to me. Thanks and regards.