Suggest Medication For Depression And Aggressive Behavior In A Heart Patient
Thank You So very much, just need to know is there is a certain medication we should start with according to how his mind works, but also knowing God will help!
I recommend you a safer antidepressant drug.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! I passed carefully through your prescription about you husband situation, and I understand that both of you are in a difficult situation. First, I would say that almost all chronic health problems are associated with some forms of depression; especially severe heart disorders. I would be very interested to have a full prescription of your husband exact cardiac history (exams performed and diagnostic conclusions), as it has direct implications on his inabilities and thus in his mood disorders and depression.
There exist many antidepressant drugs available to treat his mental condition, but almost all of them exert in a certain way side effects. Regarding his heart condition, I would be interested to focus on those representatives, which do not exert harmful cardiac effects (such as induction of arrhythmia, or severe vegetative disorders, etc).
You mentioned Lexapro, but I would not prefer as it has shown important effects in abnormally prolonging QTc interval on ECG; predisposing thus to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia (especially at higher doses>40 mg/day).
I would recommend sertraline, or fluoxetine, or paroxetine, as they have a more safe profile, and do not exert important QTc prolongation effects. They need a two week interval to exert their beneficial effect in treating depression. Generally are associated in the first 2 week with a benzodiazepine such as Alprazolam to cover the treatment until they start pharmacological action.
Nevertheless, I strongly recommend you to consult a psychiatrist to guide you through the therapy.
Hope to have been helpful to you! Greetings! Dr. Iliri