Does Intake Of Valium Help In Treating Depression And Anxiety?

Posted on Mon, 16 May 2016

Question: My doctor has put me on Lexapro 10mg tablets to manage the depression and anxiety that is caused by the chronic sinusitis that I have been suffering over the passed 5 months.
As the Lexapro will take a few weeks to start working, can I take Valium for the first 2-3 weeks to help deal with the anxiety in the meantime?

Also I take phenibut as a sleeping aid, as I find it helps with the anxiety symptoms and helps me get a good nights rest. Am I able to mix the phenibut with valium or lexapro?
I usually take the phenibut at night, around 11pm, and the valium in the morning at around 8am. Can I continue doing this? especially if I am on lexapro?

Please advise.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it can be continued but taper off after two weeks

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all it is important to understand that both Phenibut and valium are central nervous system depressants and if taken altogether the upper dose limit should never be breached. I am not aware of what doses you are taking for phenibut but if you take 5 mg of valium restrict your phenibut dose less than 2 gram per day and preferably 1 gram per day.

Secondly yes, if you are in dose limits you can continue valium in controlled way along with lexapro without any potential untoward effects.

Finally I do not think you need to continue for full three weeks as by the end of second week you will have effect of lexapro and by that time it is better to taper down the dose of Valium.

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. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (10 hours later)

Thank you.
i usually take 300mg of phenibut before bed to help sleep. Can I still take this with the lexapro?

As for the valium, I am only taking 2.5mg (not every day though, just when I need it, usually a few days on and a few days off) but if i take it everyday for two weeks do I still need to taper off this dose?

Also if i take lexapro in the morning, can I take 300mg of phenibut at night for sleep? or should they not be mixed?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
They can be mixed

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

There is no contraindication about mixing of phenibut and lexapro. Since these are different medications and different mechanism of action they can be used together without any significant fear.

As I said in last answer you need to keep the check over the maximum dose and if necessary you can use both of them to counter your anxiety.

I hope this clarifies.
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.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.

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