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History Of Anxiety And Depression. Taking Paxit And Adding Welbutrin. Risk Of Suicide And Depression?
Question: For a person already taking Paxil it is being suggested an increased dosage might be helpful and possibly adding Welbutrin as well. This person is a 54 year old female with a history of anxiety and depression.Is there an increased
risk of suicide or increased depression in this case? Are there any other risks?
risk of suicide or increased depression in this case? Are there any other risks?
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
For most anti depressants particularly those in the SSRI family the risk profile always includes the potential increased for suicide but this risk is normally confined for adolescents and children.
Normally if the dose of anti depressant is not effective it is increased to reach a dose that will have a positive effect. If the person is already using a lower dose of the paxil for at least 4 weeks with minimal response then it needs to be increased.
In terms of adding wellbutrin- this is a different type of anti depressant . It is thought to act by increasing the levels of hormones called dopamine and norepinephrine while paxil acts by increasing serotonin.
Because of the different mechanism of action, they may act together to treat depression in persons who need the additional help of two medications. They have been used together with good response in some persons.
The risk of suicide is supposed to be assessed in all persons with depression. AS stated these medications may cause an increased risk in children and adolescents but it is not commonly seen in adults.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
For most anti depressants particularly those in the SSRI family the risk profile always includes the potential increased for suicide but this risk is normally confined for adolescents and children.
Normally if the dose of anti depressant is not effective it is increased to reach a dose that will have a positive effect. If the person is already using a lower dose of the paxil for at least 4 weeks with minimal response then it needs to be increased.
In terms of adding wellbutrin- this is a different type of anti depressant . It is thought to act by increasing the levels of hormones called dopamine and norepinephrine while paxil acts by increasing serotonin.
Because of the different mechanism of action, they may act together to treat depression in persons who need the additional help of two medications. They have been used together with good response in some persons.
The risk of suicide is supposed to be assessed in all persons with depression. AS stated these medications may cause an increased risk in children and adolescents but it is not commonly seen in adults.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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