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Suggest Dosage Of Effexor And Olanzepine
Question: I have a young female patient 21 y.o who is on Effexor 325mgms and Olanzepine (?dose). She is sleeping most of the time , has a hard time to do daily chores. I have the impression the dose is too high.
Is it possible? She has no psychiatrist who is following her right now , does not seem psychotic, no strange thought or "delire". More empty and deprecating of one self because she cannot accomplish anything
I follow her for psychotherapy in the last month only, in private practice.
I'm a psychologist and former psychiatric nurse.
Is it possible? She has no psychiatrist who is following her right now , does not seem psychotic, no strange thought or "delire". More empty and deprecating of one self because she cannot accomplish anything
I follow her for psychotherapy in the last month only, in private practice.
I'm a psychologist and former psychiatric nurse.
Brief Answer:
Yes the sedation is because of medicines only
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
I can understand your concern. She is taking Effexor (Venlafaxine) and Olanzapine. Venlafaxine is an antidepressant and anti anxiety drug and Olanzapine is an antipsychotic drug. Both drugs are known to cause sedation and result in significant drowsiness. So the sleepiness she is having throughout the day is most likely due to these drugs only.
Doses of Venlafaxine she is taking are very high and if her symptoms are better then this should be reduced. Though the doses of Olanzapine she is taking are not known still as the drug is known to cause significant sedation so this is also the reason for her sleepiness.
To reduce the sleepiness either the doses of drugs should be reduced or she should be given some other drug that reduce drowsiness. Modafinil can help to reduce the drowsiness of depression and her symptoms will improve. Discuss with her psychiatrist for prescription of this drug.
Thanks, continue to give her psychotherapy and this would prevent the need of medicines. Please ask again for more doubts.
Yes the sedation is because of medicines only
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
I can understand your concern. She is taking Effexor (Venlafaxine) and Olanzapine. Venlafaxine is an antidepressant and anti anxiety drug and Olanzapine is an antipsychotic drug. Both drugs are known to cause sedation and result in significant drowsiness. So the sleepiness she is having throughout the day is most likely due to these drugs only.
Doses of Venlafaxine she is taking are very high and if her symptoms are better then this should be reduced. Though the doses of Olanzapine she is taking are not known still as the drug is known to cause significant sedation so this is also the reason for her sleepiness.
To reduce the sleepiness either the doses of drugs should be reduced or she should be given some other drug that reduce drowsiness. Modafinil can help to reduce the drowsiness of depression and her symptoms will improve. Discuss with her psychiatrist for prescription of this drug.
Thanks, continue to give her psychotherapy and this would prevent the need of medicines. Please ask again for more doubts.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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