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How Long Does Seroquil Take To Be Effective For Anxiety?
Brief Answer:
It might take 3-4 weeks to show anti-anxeity effects.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
You take seroquel to deal with your anxiety but its not proving effective as you have to take valium.
Regarding seroquel,I would like to tell you some facts:
The time duration required for seroquel to deal with anxiety has not been established in clinical trials. But from clinical experience and its receptor profile, it usually take 3-4 weeks to show its effects.
Most of the treatment guidelines does not recommend the use of antipsychotics (Seroquel in your case) as a sole antianxiety drug. These should be used as an augmenting agents with antidepressants (SSRIs) due to side-effect profile.
For you, I would suggest you to go for relaxation therapy like biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation therapy alongwith medications. These work wonderfully well when taken with medications. A psychotherapist will help you in this.
Also practice deep breathing exercises and meditation regularly. These are excellent stress-busters.
If you can provide the details of what other drugs you have used in past for your anxiety, I might be able to help you choose a better/another drug.
Hope this answers your query satisfactorily.
Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD (Psychiatry)
It might take 3-4 weeks to show anti-anxeity effects.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
You take seroquel to deal with your anxiety but its not proving effective as you have to take valium.
Regarding seroquel,I would like to tell you some facts:
The time duration required for seroquel to deal with anxiety has not been established in clinical trials. But from clinical experience and its receptor profile, it usually take 3-4 weeks to show its effects.
Most of the treatment guidelines does not recommend the use of antipsychotics (Seroquel in your case) as a sole antianxiety drug. These should be used as an augmenting agents with antidepressants (SSRIs) due to side-effect profile.
For you, I would suggest you to go for relaxation therapy like biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation therapy alongwith medications. These work wonderfully well when taken with medications. A psychotherapist will help you in this.
Also practice deep breathing exercises and meditation regularly. These are excellent stress-busters.
If you can provide the details of what other drugs you have used in past for your anxiety, I might be able to help you choose a better/another drug.
Hope this answers your query satisfactorily.
Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD (Psychiatry)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Dr Mehta
I also take 60mg of Citalopram and 30mg of Mirtazapine both of which I have been on for several months.I have now been on Seroquel at 200mg for 4 weeks following an unsuccessful trial with Zyprexa.My anxiety is worse on wakening so I take 2.5mg of diazapam.I find the anxiety is so strong on wakening it makes me not want to move but I force myself to get dressed and go for a 40 minute walk every day.Despite all the medications I am on the anxiety still substantially interferes with my normal life by preventing me from going to work and going anywhere socially.Although my psychiatrist is planning a review of my meds any suggestions you have regarding the meds would be greatly appreciated
Thank you. Regards XXXX
I also take 60mg of Citalopram and 30mg of Mirtazapine both of which I have been on for several months.I have now been on Seroquel at 200mg for 4 weeks following an unsuccessful trial with Zyprexa.My anxiety is worse on wakening so I take 2.5mg of diazapam.I find the anxiety is so strong on wakening it makes me not want to move but I force myself to get dressed and go for a 40 minute walk every day.Despite all the medications I am on the anxiety still substantially interferes with my normal life by preventing me from going to work and going anywhere socially.Although my psychiatrist is planning a review of my meds any suggestions you have regarding the meds would be greatly appreciated
Thank you. Regards XXXX
Brief Answer:
Consider gabapetin or venlafaxine.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the follow-up query.
Dear XXXXXXX
I can understand your situation.
You are already taking higher than recommended doses of citalopram (60mg). You also take Mirtazapine 30mg. Zyprexa has not worked for you in past. Now seroquel is also not working.
In such condition, the drug which I would have considered best for you would have been gabapentin.
In my opinion, replacing seroquel with gabapentin should be considered.
Gabapentin is a safer and better option then seroquel.
There are virtually no long-term side effects of gabapentin. Whereas seroquel (and mirtazapine also) can cause weight gain, akathisia etc.
The other drug which can be considered is venlafaxine. Dose adjustments would be guided under your doctor's supervision.
Please discuss about these drugs with your psychiatrist.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.
Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.
If you wish, you can also ask a direct query at you convenience.
Take care.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD (Psychiatry).
Consider gabapetin or venlafaxine.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the follow-up query.
Dear XXXXXXX
I can understand your situation.
You are already taking higher than recommended doses of citalopram (60mg). You also take Mirtazapine 30mg. Zyprexa has not worked for you in past. Now seroquel is also not working.
In such condition, the drug which I would have considered best for you would have been gabapentin.
In my opinion, replacing seroquel with gabapentin should be considered.
Gabapentin is a safer and better option then seroquel.
There are virtually no long-term side effects of gabapentin. Whereas seroquel (and mirtazapine also) can cause weight gain, akathisia etc.
The other drug which can be considered is venlafaxine. Dose adjustments would be guided under your doctor's supervision.
Please discuss about these drugs with your psychiatrist.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.
Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.
If you wish, you can also ask a direct query at you convenience.
Take care.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD (Psychiatry).
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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