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How Soon Can I Start Taking Lexapro After Stopping Ativan?
Question: I take 1 MG of Ativan when needed for anxiety. How can I reduce the drowsiness I still get after taking it for a few months that will allow me to drive and go to work? Also, I'd like to switch to Lexapro. How soon can I start taking Lexapro after stopping Ativan?
Brief Answer:
Both are different medicines
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Ativan and lexapro are two different drugs. Ativan is a benzodiazepine and helps in curing anxiety cosmetically and has immediate response ones taken. Lexapro cures anxiety from its roots and may take 2 weeks to show its response. However it is not a kind of drug that you can take the moment you feel anxious. Its not going to help you immediately during such episodes.
There are three options that you can try:
1) Start taking lexapro while you are on ativan and then after 3 weeks of taking them together , withdraw ativan gradually.
2) Replace ativan with tofisocalm, another benzodiazepine to treat anxiety without causing sedation.
3) instead of taking medicines you may try cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
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:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Both are different medicines
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Ativan and lexapro are two different drugs. Ativan is a benzodiazepine and helps in curing anxiety cosmetically and has immediate response ones taken. Lexapro cures anxiety from its roots and may take 2 weeks to show its response. However it is not a kind of drug that you can take the moment you feel anxious. Its not going to help you immediately during such episodes.
There are three options that you can try:
1) Start taking lexapro while you are on ativan and then after 3 weeks of taking them together , withdraw ativan gradually.
2) Replace ativan with tofisocalm, another benzodiazepine to treat anxiety without causing sedation.
3) instead of taking medicines you may try cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
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:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
OK, thanks for the info.
I can't find any info on the internet on the medication you mentioned "tofisocalm". Is this word spelled correctly?
I can't find any info on the internet on the medication you mentioned "tofisocalm". Is this word spelled correctly?
Brief Answer:
its a new drug
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Its a new drug. It is produced by sun pharmaceuticals with the brand name of Toficalm. It is available in the strength of 50mg and is being used in India quite frequently. I have used it and it is effective in reducing anxiety without sedation.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
its a new drug
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Its a new drug. It is produced by sun pharmaceuticals with the brand name of Toficalm. It is available in the strength of 50mg and is being used in India quite frequently. I have used it and it is effective in reducing anxiety without sedation.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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