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How Long Should Medication For Depression Be Taken?

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Posted on Wed, 23 Sep 2015
Question: Hi sir, am taking psychiatric medicines for more than 4 years from now . I suffered from depression in my 12th standard. And I feel completely normal now. But doctor still prescribes medicines. Should I continue or just stop it. The tablets now I supposed to take are
1. Tab dephran -h. 0-0-1
2. Tab Migrabeta TR 20g 1-0-0
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
do not stop the drugs abruptly.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

I can understand your concerns.

You have taking these psychotropic drugs from last four years because of depression.

Now you feel completely normal.

In my opinion, you should gradually taper down the drugs so that you do not experience withdrawal symptoms as well as relapse of depression.

I would suggest you to first discontinue migrabeta and observe your anxiety symptoms for 2-3 weeks. If you feel fine, only then you should consider reducing depran-H.

Depran-H is combination of escitalopram10mg and clonazepam0.5mg.
Once you are settled without migrabeta, you can reduce to a low dose combination (escitalopram 5 and clonazepam0.25).

To sum up, please do not stop the drugs abruptly. Do it gradually under your doctor's supervision only.

Hope this helps.

I wish you well.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2144 Questions

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How Long Should Medication For Depression Be Taken?

Brief Answer: do not stop the drugs abruptly. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I can understand your concerns. You have taking these psychotropic drugs from last four years because of depression. Now you feel completely normal. In my opinion, you should gradually taper down the drugs so that you do not experience withdrawal symptoms as well as relapse of depression. I would suggest you to first discontinue migrabeta and observe your anxiety symptoms for 2-3 weeks. If you feel fine, only then you should consider reducing depran-H. Depran-H is combination of escitalopram10mg and clonazepam0.5mg. Once you are settled without migrabeta, you can reduce to a low dose combination (escitalopram 5 and clonazepam0.25). To sum up, please do not stop the drugs abruptly. Do it gradually under your doctor's supervision only. Hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks.