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Has Been Taking Lexam Effectively. But Sexual Response Is Totally Effected. Can Welbutrin Be Taken Instead?
Question: Hi
Thank You. I am a male who has been taking Lexam (anti depressant) 20 mg for 4 years now and it has been effective, except for one major area! - my sexual response is totally affected to the point of zero! I have read that Wellbutrin is a highly recommended anti depressant without negative side affects on sexual response. Could you advise me of the transition from Lexam to Wellbutrin -your recommendation and safe transition??
Kind Regards
Thank You. I am a male who has been taking Lexam (anti depressant) 20 mg for 4 years now and it has been effective, except for one major area! - my sexual response is totally affected to the point of zero! I have read that Wellbutrin is a highly recommended anti depressant without negative side affects on sexual response. Could you advise me of the transition from Lexam to Wellbutrin -your recommendation and safe transition??
Kind Regards
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to XXXXXXX
Lexam is Escitalopram and it is a SSRI drug. Overall its a safe drug and is free of serious side effects but at high doses in some individuals it may show sexual side effects like delayed ejaculation, anorgasmia, loss of libido etc.
A lot of studies mention that Bupropion is free of sexual side effects and to some extent this improves the condition, but this drug is not a strong anti-depressant. It is mainly used in mild to moderate depression or as an add-on drug.
If you want to shift to Wellbutrin (bupropion) from escitalopram best thing is to cross taper the doses. Decrease the doses of Lexam to zero over 6-8 weeks and in the same manner increase doses of Wellbutrin. You can reduce the doses to 15 mg per day for about 2 weeks and then 10 mg for next 2-3 weeks and then 5 mg for 2 more weeks and then to stop the drug completely. In the same manner doses of bupropion can be increased gradually starting from 50 mg per day to about 300 mg per day extended release tablet. This will improve the condition.
Hope this helps you, if you have more queries you can ask again.
Thanks
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to XXXXXXX
Lexam is Escitalopram and it is a SSRI drug. Overall its a safe drug and is free of serious side effects but at high doses in some individuals it may show sexual side effects like delayed ejaculation, anorgasmia, loss of libido etc.
A lot of studies mention that Bupropion is free of sexual side effects and to some extent this improves the condition, but this drug is not a strong anti-depressant. It is mainly used in mild to moderate depression or as an add-on drug.
If you want to shift to Wellbutrin (bupropion) from escitalopram best thing is to cross taper the doses. Decrease the doses of Lexam to zero over 6-8 weeks and in the same manner increase doses of Wellbutrin. You can reduce the doses to 15 mg per day for about 2 weeks and then 10 mg for next 2-3 weeks and then 5 mg for 2 more weeks and then to stop the drug completely. In the same manner doses of bupropion can be increased gradually starting from 50 mg per day to about 300 mg per day extended release tablet. This will improve the condition.
Hope this helps you, if you have more queries you can ask again.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Many Thanks for your detailed response. Most appreciated.
Also MIRTAZAPINE is a recommended anti depressant with very few side effects on sexual responsiveness. It appears to be a more recent drug and very well tolerated.Can I have your professional opinion of this (more suitable than Wellbutrin-more effective?)and what equivalent would a dose of this be to 20 mg Lexam??
Kind Wishes and sincere thanks for your support!!
Also MIRTAZAPINE is a recommended anti depressant with very few side effects on sexual responsiveness. It appears to be a more recent drug and very well tolerated.Can I have your professional opinion of this (more suitable than Wellbutrin-more effective?)and what equivalent would a dose of this be to 20 mg Lexam??
Kind Wishes and sincere thanks for your support!!
Brief Answer:
Hello again
Detailed Answer:
Mirtazepine is also a good anti depressant and it is free of sexual side effects. It even improves the erection in males. It is a very potent anti-depressant. It is free of serious side effects except sedation. It is more effective than bupropion for control of depression.
Usually it is prescribed in doses of 15-30 mg doses for control of depression but it should be started with 7.5 mg dose. In low doses it is more sedating but at high doses side effect of sedation is not seen.
Hope this helps you, if you have more questions you can ask again.
Hello again
Detailed Answer:
Mirtazepine is also a good anti depressant and it is free of sexual side effects. It even improves the erection in males. It is a very potent anti-depressant. It is free of serious side effects except sedation. It is more effective than bupropion for control of depression.
Usually it is prescribed in doses of 15-30 mg doses for control of depression but it should be started with 7.5 mg dose. In low doses it is more sedating but at high doses side effect of sedation is not seen.
Hope this helps you, if you have more questions you can ask again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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