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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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Lowering The Dose Of Cipralex. Taking Cymbalta. Depression Symptoms Are Recurring. Weight Gain And Nervousness. Any Advice?

Since end of January I have been lowering my dose of Cipralex in order to start Cymbalta...I am now down to 5 mg and 0 mg alternating days and have been on 30 mg of Cymbalta for 2 weeks....about 5 days ago I went on the higher dose of 60 mg. Today and for a few days I have been so low and no motivation - my depression symptoms are back....I m wondering how long it will take to get the full effect of the 60mg dose now that I ve pretty much stopped my cipralex. Thank you My Dr. and I discussed switching to Cympalta as I was still having a nervous stomache and hunger and gained allot of weight since the 3 years I ve been on Cipralex.
Sat, 30 Mar 2013
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello
Welcome to HCM

Cipralex or escitalopram is a SSRI drug and cymbalta is duloxetine a SNRI drug. You were on cipralex for long time and with good response. Now dose is being tapered because of stomach ache, hunger and weight gain. Duloxetine has been started. As it has been just 2 weeks of starting duloxetine and escitalopram dose has been decreased to 5 mg every alternate days. Due to this you has been having depressive symptoms. It will take at least 2 more week to get full effect of duloxetine. Don't worry with in two weeks you will improve.

thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi
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Psychiatrist Dr. Sushil Kumar Sompur's  Response
Hi there ~

Cipralex is an effective medication for depression, however some people like yourself can gain weight and have GI symptoms when being on the medication. I feel like you should increase the dose of cymbalta even more since you have room to go up higher and are not having and side effects of the medication. I hope your weight gain has stabilized or you are losing weight on the medication. I suggest that you consult with your psychiatrist to make this decision.

Take care and I hope this advice helped. Have a lovely day !
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Psychiatrist Dr. Sundar Gnanavel's  Response
Hello......
Thanks for your query. Cipralex is escitalopram, a SSRI antidepressant and cymbalta is duloxetine, a SNRI antidepressant. It is encouraging to note that you showed good response to cipralex. You are in the process of cross-taper i.e addition of cymbalta with withdrawal of cipralex. You are likely to experience depressive symptoms during this transient phase. You shoukd be fine in another 2-3 weeks once the cross-taper is completed. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
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Lowering The Dose Of Cipralex. Taking Cymbalta. Depression Symptoms Are Recurring. Weight Gain And Nervousness. Any Advice?

Hello Welcome to HCM Cipralex or escitalopram is a SSRI drug and cymbalta is duloxetine a SNRI drug. You were on cipralex for long time and with good response. Now dose is being tapered because of stomach ache, hunger and weight gain. Duloxetine has been started. As it has been just 2 weeks of starting duloxetine and escitalopram dose has been decreased to 5 mg every alternate days. Due to this you has been having depressive symptoms. It will take at least 2 more week to get full effect of duloxetine. Don t worry with in two weeks you will improve. thanks Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi