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Suggest A Better Alternative For Citalopram
Question: Have been taking 10 mg citalopram and have just had it increased to 20 a few days ago I am experiencing no desire to do normal activities and continue to be plagued with negative thoughts. I am 73 and have battled for many years to keep positive thru many difficulties but this year I have crashed and hope citalopram will eventually help. I have taken Xanax for years to sleep but now use it more. What do you advise?
Brief Answer:
Shift to escitalopram or sertraline, no xanax
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Citalopram is old drug. Escitalopram is the better option. Or sertraline which is an also SSRI will be helpful. These both have least side effect potential and good potency(effectiveness in depression). Discuss with your doctor for the same.
Xanax(alprazolam) is very potent benzodiazepine. You will get tolerance and will become dependent on it. Means you will not be satisfied with same dose and you have to increase the same(as you have described).After that difficult to stop it. Better to shift to clonazepam or etizolam. Also discuss with your doctor for this issue.
Simultaneous psychotherapy, specifically CBT-Cognitive Behavior Therapy would help you in depression to fight with negative thoughts which in turn may reduce dose of medicines.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to answer again if any query is there yet.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki
Shift to escitalopram or sertraline, no xanax
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Citalopram is old drug. Escitalopram is the better option. Or sertraline which is an also SSRI will be helpful. These both have least side effect potential and good potency(effectiveness in depression). Discuss with your doctor for the same.
Xanax(alprazolam) is very potent benzodiazepine. You will get tolerance and will become dependent on it. Means you will not be satisfied with same dose and you have to increase the same(as you have described).After that difficult to stop it. Better to shift to clonazepam or etizolam. Also discuss with your doctor for this issue.
Simultaneous psychotherapy, specifically CBT-Cognitive Behavior Therapy would help you in depression to fight with negative thoughts which in turn may reduce dose of medicines.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to answer again if any query is there yet.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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