Suggest Treatment For Psychotic Symptoms, Paranoia And Depression
i understand now that query means question.i am scared of the feasible fatal qt prolongation that may be caused by taking cipralex mirtazapine risperdale together. is it frequent? does ecg assist to predict how likely it is.is 40mg cipralex 5.75mg risperdale & 15mg mirtazapine safe to take together,40mg cipralex is high
risperdale i am able to tolerate up to 5.75mg some persons that are in a more severe psychosis may take as far as 8mg twice daily.mirtazapine 15mg is the starting dose,cause u are a psychiatrist I need ur advice.
Please see details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for following up. I went through your question. From what you have mentioned, I could make out that you are suffering from depression and some psychotic symptoms for which you are on treatment with Rsiperidone, Cipralex(40 mg/day) and Bupropion (300mg/day).
I really would have liked to know the exact symptoms that you manifest. In addition, I would have liked to know if you are visiting a psychiatrist for your medicines.
Regarding your question about cipralex, bupropion and mirtazapine, let me start by first telling you that all three are anti-depressants. The maximum recommended dose of cipralex is 20 mg/day. So, i am not sure why you are taking 40 mg/day (there must be reasons). In that case, anyway it is recommended that you bring down the dose to 20 mg/day gradually. You can decide to decrease bupropion to 150 mg/day thereafter.
Regarding starting mirtazapine, I assume that you want to do that because you still are having depressive symptoms. It would be a good choice to start with. You can start with 7.5 and then gradually build up the dose. But I will simultaneously try to taper and stop one of either bupropion and cipralex. The one which showed completely no response for you can be stopped.
The most important thing is to discuss the options with your psychiatrist so that he can guide you better as he will know which drug showed better response for you and supervise the cross tapering of medicines.
Regarding the chances of prolonged qt, you don't have to worry much. You just need to have baseline ECG and have follow up ECGs. If at baseline, it is normal, you can start with mirtazapine. And then , monitoring can be done everytime medicine dose is increased.
And ya, query means question.
I do hope that I was able to answer your question. Please feel free to ask any further doubt if you have any.
Regards,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
so next 10 days
i ll take bupropion 150mg cipralex 30mg risperidone 5.75mg
next 10 days i ll take
cipralex 20mg mirtazapine 15mg and risperidone 5.75mg
and wait for a month and if no change in crease mirtazapine to 30mg.I am getting a new psychiatrist in August yet I am vacationing in the states in July.is there a stimulant that i could take to avoid sedation during school time so I may study,i meant a stimulant that isn't addictive that doesn't have serious sideeffects or serious interactions or that doesnt aggravate acid reflux of the stomach
Stimulants not recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for following up. To start with let me clear a few things. Effectiveness of a medicine varies person to person. So, in your case, risperidone is more effective. In anyone else, even abilify (aripiprazole might be more effective). Since in your case, risperidone is able to take care of your symptoms, it is the best drug for you.
Regarding the anti-depressants, I agree with the schedule that you have proposed. It seems good enough and I do hope that mirtazapine is able to take care of your symptoms.
Regarding starting a stimulant, frankly I would advise against so. Stimulants can worsen your psychosis. Any of the stimulants that you will use have that possibility. It might help in keeping you active, but considering that the cost will be worsening of psychosis, its definitely not recommended. If even after that you want to try a stimulant, modafinil at low dose (50 mg/day) ca be tried and response assessed.
I hope that I was able to help you in some way. In case you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. I will be glad to answer them. In case you don't have any, please close the discussion and rate the answer.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
It will be too abrupt.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for following up. I can understand your concern regarding breaking up cipralex.
The groove is given so that you can break the medicine into two if required. I would not recommend going down to 20 mg straight away. That will be too abrupt and cause some amount of discontinuation symptoms in form of anxiety. You can very well break the tablet in half and take 30 mg. It will still be effective. So, don't worry about that.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. I will be glad to do so.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Please see details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for following up.
You can select either of cipralex or bupropion to continue with depending on which gave you better response. In general, I have more faith on cipralex as an anti-depressant.
Regarding side effect and interaction profile, there is nothing much to worry about. Cipralex with mirtazapine do give a very good response in my patients. Personally, I would prefer that. But as I have said in my earlier reply, it all differs person to person. So, you won't know until you try.
So, I would advise to go along with what you are comfortable with and then wait for the response. I really hope, you have respond really well to whatever you decide to be on.
I do hope that my answers are helping you with your doubts. Please let me know if I can be of any more help.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta