Suggest Treatment For Severe Panic Attacks While On Cipralex

Posted on Mon, 22 May 2017

Question: i was on seroxat for 5 years the 20 mg then we raised till 40 mg for 1 year on XXXXXXX 2017 i moved to
cipralex 20 Mg all was fine until yesterday where i had a severe panic attack that was the most horrible in my life . I am meeting my psychiatrist Saturday what do u suggest ?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Benzodiazepines can be used

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

Seroxat and Cipralax both are good anti anxiety drugs. Some times even while on adequate doses relapse of anxiety occurs. This is not a thing to worry. You had a severe panic attack and such episodes should be prevented in future. Drugs like Benzodiazepines like Clonazepam or Alprazolam can be kept as reserve drugs for use on SOS basis. These drugs can calm you in severe panic like situations. These drugs cause sedation and if you want to avoid sedation then drugs like Propranolol can help. The drug will reduce panic symptoms without increasing risk of sedation.

So please talk with your doctor for these options.

Thanks and Take care.

You are welcome to ask follow up doubts.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (30 minutes later)

do u think that what happened with me is due to pilling of stress that happened recently ?
moreover i am having some Itchy skin i did some tests its not Kidney nor liver so doctor did TSH test waiting for result can Cipralex cause some Itching

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stress could be the reason for panic

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

If the stress has increased recently then that could be the reason for worsening of anxiety or precipitation of panic attack.

You were taking Cipralax for quite some time and I don't think this is the cause of itching you are having. Cipralax is known to cause hives or itching in individuals but these side effects are seen more commonly during first few weeks of starting the drug.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (13 hours later)

do u think it might be TSH thyroid ?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes hyperthyroidism might lead to panic attacks

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again

Yes Hyperthyroidism specifically could lead to precipitation of panic attacks. Even hypothyroidism results in increased anxiety. So testing for thyroid function is a good idea.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (15 minutes later)

okay final question pls if not the thyroid will increasing the dosage to 30 Mg help of cipralex ?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Increasing the dose would not help much.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

No in my opinion this will not help much because increasing the dose will add to side effects only.

The dose of 20 mg is already a high dose and increasing the dose will increase sexual side effects too.

Thanks.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar