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Is Anafranil Stronger Than Tofranil,Zoloft And Effexor?
Question:
This is a medication question. I see 4 docs. Primary Care, APN Psych, Endocrinologist and a Nephrologist. I get different RX's from each one. The APN Psych recently switched me from Tofranil (62mg/day) to Anafranil (50mg/day) to help more with my OCD and PD Anxiety. (I have also taken Zoloft and Effexor in the past) I've now taken it for 4 days. I've always had anxiety tachycardia (post Grave's Disease in 1977) and have been on 25mg per day of Atenolol for about 20yrs as my pulse runs about 110 or above without it and sometimes up to 130 during Panic attacks. I also have slightly elevated BP (140/90) without it. I take a half tab in the morning and the other half at night. I've always taken it with my other anti-depressants and Benzo's with no problems. The Anafranil seems different though. My pulse has been much lower than usual during the daytime yesterday and today (mid 60's) and my anxiety seems better too. I'm now afraid the added Atenolol will make my pulse go too low when I go to sleep as I also take 0.5mg of Ativan at night and 20mg of Lasix each morning for hypoaldosteronism. Is Anafranil that much more of a sedate med than Tofranil, Zoloft and Effexor? Should I take the Atenolol tonite as usual? Which doc should I contact about this during office hours tomorrow? The Nephrologist wrote the last RX for the Atenolol but my PCP use to write it. I really don't know which Provider to contact about it all.
This is a medication question. I see 4 docs. Primary Care, APN Psych, Endocrinologist and a Nephrologist. I get different RX's from each one. The APN Psych recently switched me from Tofranil (62mg/day) to Anafranil (50mg/day) to help more with my OCD and PD Anxiety. (I have also taken Zoloft and Effexor in the past) I've now taken it for 4 days. I've always had anxiety tachycardia (post Grave's Disease in 1977) and have been on 25mg per day of Atenolol for about 20yrs as my pulse runs about 110 or above without it and sometimes up to 130 during Panic attacks. I also have slightly elevated BP (140/90) without it. I take a half tab in the morning and the other half at night. I've always taken it with my other anti-depressants and Benzo's with no problems. The Anafranil seems different though. My pulse has been much lower than usual during the daytime yesterday and today (mid 60's) and my anxiety seems better too. I'm now afraid the added Atenolol will make my pulse go too low when I go to sleep as I also take 0.5mg of Ativan at night and 20mg of Lasix each morning for hypoaldosteronism. Is Anafranil that much more of a sedate med than Tofranil, Zoloft and Effexor? Should I take the Atenolol tonite as usual? Which doc should I contact about this during office hours tomorrow? The Nephrologist wrote the last RX for the Atenolol but my PCP use to write it. I really don't know which Provider to contact about it all.
Brief Answer:
Avoid Atenolol tonight, meet nephrologist
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and am here to help you.
Anafranil, tofranil, effexor and zoloft are all different types of anti-depressants, but yes, I would say that anafranil is one of the more stronger treatment options. It also carries the side effect of drowsiness which is why you might be feeling sleepy most of the time.
I would advise against the atenolol for tonight, but would also like to request you to monitor your blood pressure tonight till until you fall asleep, and again for the first few hours in the morning.
As your nephrologist was the one who wrote the Atenolol prescription it would be ethical to revisit him/her, as other specialists do not like tp discontinue medications prescribed by other doctors. But in case your nephrologist is out of reach then you should meet your Primary care physician.
Generally I would advise you to visit your PCP for a change in prescription (for the Atenolol), but as your nehprologist was the one who prescribed it to you, it would be best to visit him/her.
I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Avoid Atenolol tonight, meet nephrologist
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and am here to help you.
Anafranil, tofranil, effexor and zoloft are all different types of anti-depressants, but yes, I would say that anafranil is one of the more stronger treatment options. It also carries the side effect of drowsiness which is why you might be feeling sleepy most of the time.
I would advise against the atenolol for tonight, but would also like to request you to monitor your blood pressure tonight till until you fall asleep, and again for the first few hours in the morning.
As your nephrologist was the one who wrote the Atenolol prescription it would be ethical to revisit him/her, as other specialists do not like tp discontinue medications prescribed by other doctors. But in case your nephrologist is out of reach then you should meet your Primary care physician.
Generally I would advise you to visit your PCP for a change in prescription (for the Atenolol), but as your nehprologist was the one who prescribed it to you, it would be best to visit him/her.
I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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