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Is Safe To Switch From Quitanx To Escitalopram For Depression?

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Posted on Mon, 13 Apr 2015
Question: i was having medicine in XXXXXXX for my depression treatment for the last 4 years ,brand name quitanx or deanxit.but as this salt has been banned ,now the doctor has tried many medicines in 4 months and at present escitalopram
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
benzodiazepine may help you in better way

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us.

Quitanx or deanxit contains flupenthixol and melitracin. This medicine was used by mostly physicians not by psychiatrist for depression treatment routinely.It causes severe dependence and stopping of the same can cause some discomfort/withdrawal features.As it was misused and over prescribed by some doctors it has been banned.

Many of patients who are taking this medicine has suffered due to this ban.
Two options are there.
You can be given low dose benzodiazepine like etizolam or clonazepam. Gradually this medicine also can be stopped by tapering under medial supervision.

Other option is to stat flupenthixol available in market which is one of the medicines you were taking. Gradually this can be stopped. But I do not prefer this approach. As this drug does not treat the problem but just only suppresses the symptoms.


Escitalopram is good medicine for depression. Adding benzo for short time will help.

I request you to consult psychiatrist if you did not consult yet for evaluation and treatment.


Hope I have answered your query. Feel free to ask if you have more queries.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (15 minutes later)
SHOULD I USE ONLY benzodiazepine AND WHICH TIME ,IN MORNING OR EVENING AND HOW MUCH mg, i have not visited any psychiatrist
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
it depends on dose of deanxit, your diagnosis and withdrawal symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for follow up.

If you do not have any depressive features, there is no need of escitalopram. For diagnosis of depression detail history and mental status examination are required by a psychiatrist.

If only withdrawal symptoms are there due to stopping of deanxit, only benzo will suffice. Dose and frequency depend on your withdrawal symptoms severity and frequency and duration of intake of deanxit.

Benzo are strict prescription drugs and available with only written prescription of a doctor.

In conclusion better to consult psychiatrist once to evaluate your problem in detail and for treatment. Or else you can ask your treating doctor if he is used to with benzo and can prescribe you the same.

Hope this answers your query, I will be happy to help further.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

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Is Safe To Switch From Quitanx To Escitalopram For Depression?

Brief Answer: benzodiazepine may help you in better way Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Thanks for writing to us. Quitanx or deanxit contains flupenthixol and melitracin. This medicine was used by mostly physicians not by psychiatrist for depression treatment routinely.It causes severe dependence and stopping of the same can cause some discomfort/withdrawal features.As it was misused and over prescribed by some doctors it has been banned. Many of patients who are taking this medicine has suffered due to this ban. Two options are there. You can be given low dose benzodiazepine like etizolam or clonazepam. Gradually this medicine also can be stopped by tapering under medial supervision. Other option is to stat flupenthixol available in market which is one of the medicines you were taking. Gradually this can be stopped. But I do not prefer this approach. As this drug does not treat the problem but just only suppresses the symptoms. Escitalopram is good medicine for depression. Adding benzo for short time will help. I request you to consult psychiatrist if you did not consult yet for evaluation and treatment. Hope I have answered your query. Feel free to ask if you have more queries. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.