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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy For Difficulty In Sleeping

Hi, can a very mild sleeping pill and alprax be taken together. The question I am asking on behalf of my 80 year old father. He is having breathing issues and palpitation for the past 1 week. His heart is fine (all tests done). BP is normal, pulse rate is normal. Angiography is pending but echo test was fine. No heart pain. However, whenever he tries to sleep, he is getting breathless and unable to sleep. On the 3rd day since this started, he took an alprax only which helped him sleep (as he was feeling very anxious). Last 48 hrs he hasn t been able to sleep - he dint take alprax or any sleeping pill either. Today, he took a mild sleeping pill but is unable to sleep and this is making him very anxious. Can he take an alprax to soothe his nerves.
Fri, 2 Jan 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

I can understand your concern about your father. He is 80 years old and has problems in sleeping. Alprax is a benzodiazepine drug and its use in elderly people is usually not advised. The drug is known to increase the risk of frequent falls and may increase risk of hip fractures in elderly. Also benzodiazepines are known to increase the risk of memory impairment and cognitive decline in elderly. As per my opinion you should not given alprazolam to him unless severely indicated and is prescribed by his psychiatrist.

For his sleeping problems medicines like trazodon, mirtazapine etc can be used. These drugs help to induce sleep and don't increase cognitive decline. These drugs will also help in reducing his anxiety and palpitations. I would advise you to visit his psychiatrist and take opinion about these drugs.

Thanks, hope this helps you.
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Suggest Remedy For Difficulty In Sleeping

Hello thanks for asking from HCM I can understand your concern about your father. He is 80 years old and has problems in sleeping. Alprax is a benzodiazepine drug and its use in elderly people is usually not advised. The drug is known to increase the risk of frequent falls and may increase risk of hip fractures in elderly. Also benzodiazepines are known to increase the risk of memory impairment and cognitive decline in elderly. As per my opinion you should not given alprazolam to him unless severely indicated and is prescribed by his psychiatrist. For his sleeping problems medicines like trazodon, mirtazapine etc can be used. These drugs help to induce sleep and don t increase cognitive decline. These drugs will also help in reducing his anxiety and palpitations. I would advise you to visit his psychiatrist and take opinion about these drugs. Thanks, hope this helps you.