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Suggest Alternative Over The Counter Medication For Lexapro And Ambien

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Posted on Mon, 21 Nov 2016
Question: I am currently taking about 1/3 of a 10 mg. per day of Ambien when I wake up and have trouble falling back to sleep. I also take 10 mg. of Lexapro at bedtime for depression and anxiety. Could L-tryptophan replace either or both of these? Lexapro has the side effect of significantly reducing my libido. Is L-tryptophan the same as tryptophan? Are they prescription drugs? What dosages might be appropriate. I am ADD, weigh 190, about 6' 2", and age 75 in good health.Thank you very much.
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Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
L-tryptophan cannot replace these drugs

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern.

For trouble in sleep you can increase the dose of ambien with permission of your doctor.

L-tryptophan is just isomer of the tryptophan so it is like tryptophan. However it cannot replace niether lexapro nor ambien as there are no scientific studies proving its efficacy. It is non prescription drug. I do not recommend it.

Low libido is a side effect of all SSRI including lexapro. Either cyproheptadine can be used to treat this or 5 pde inhibitor drug like sildenafil/tadalafil can be used.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Chintan Solanki

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Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

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Suggest Alternative Over The Counter Medication For Lexapro And Ambien

Brief Answer: L-tryptophan cannot replace these drugs Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern. For trouble in sleep you can increase the dose of ambien with permission of your doctor. L-tryptophan is just isomer of the tryptophan so it is like tryptophan. However it cannot replace niether lexapro nor ambien as there are no scientific studies proving its efficacy. It is non prescription drug. I do not recommend it. Low libido is a side effect of all SSRI including lexapro. Either cyproheptadine can be used to treat this or 5 pde inhibitor drug like sildenafil/tadalafil can be used. Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further. Regards, Dr Chintan Solanki.