Can I Take Valium For Panic Disorder?

Posted on Wed, 11 Jun 2014

Question: history of panic disorder, doctor prescribed prilosec 40mg but exacerbated symptoms of PD, last time taken was yesterday at 2, can I safely take a 5mg valium without the chest pressure and sleepiness side effects?

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Valium would increase sedation.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.

In case of panic disorder, patient needs antidepressant and low dose benzodiazepine to control the symptoms. You are on elavil (amitriptyline) and it is tricyclic antidepressant, which has sedative effect. Zyrtec contains cetrizine, that would not control panic attack and prilosec contains omeprazole, it is a antacid.

In short, there is no even a single effective medicine, which could help you to control panic disorder. I would suggest you to take paoxetine and clonazepam in treatment option. Both these drugs would help you to control panic attack.

There is no need to take valium, due to its longer half life. With amitriptyline, it would increase sedation, so try to avoid it. Rest, you can consult your psychiatrist.

In case, you need further help, you can ask.

Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist

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