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Suggest Treatment For Depressive Episode Leading To Excessive Crying
Hi-
I have been on lexapro 20 mg for two years. It used to work okay, but has stopped working. I am having a MAJOR depressive episode for two weeks now which has rendered me useless (crying, sleeping all of the time, can't leave my home, etc.).
The only other drug I take is klonopin 2 mg. My psych doc and I are going to try emsam, but I'm in the "wash out" period and have only been off of lexapro for three days. Do I really have to wait another week to start emsam at 6 mg? If so, is there anything I can take during this waiting period? I'm a mess and can't function!
I am a 36 yr old female, 100 lbs and 5'4
I have been on lexapro 20 mg for two years. It used to work okay, but has stopped working. I am having a MAJOR depressive episode for two weeks now which has rendered me useless (crying, sleeping all of the time, can't leave my home, etc.).
The only other drug I take is klonopin 2 mg. My psych doc and I are going to try emsam, but I'm in the "wash out" period and have only been off of lexapro for three days. Do I really have to wait another week to start emsam at 6 mg? If so, is there anything I can take during this waiting period? I'm a mess and can't function!
I am a 36 yr old female, 100 lbs and 5'4
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 13 Jan 2015
Answered on
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
Last reviewed on
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
You were taking Escitalopram 20 mg since last 2 years and it was working but now you have symptoms of Major Depression and the drug is not working properly. You still have persistent symptoms like crying spells, excessive sleepiness, inability to leave home etc. For this depression you have been advised to take Selegiline transdermal patch (EMASAM). Selegiline is an inhibitor of MAO-A enzyme and the drug is useful in moderate to severe depression and some times in resistant depression. You were taking Lexapro and this is a SSRI drug. Taking Selegiline along with Lexapro may result in serious serotonin syndrome and you may suffer serious symptoms. So it is advisable to wait for at least a week to start a MAO-I drug after stopping a SSRI drug. So as per my opinion you should wait for at least a week. Don't forget to consult your doctor before starting the drug.
Thanks, hope this helps you.
Take Care
You were taking Escitalopram 20 mg since last 2 years and it was working but now you have symptoms of Major Depression and the drug is not working properly. You still have persistent symptoms like crying spells, excessive sleepiness, inability to leave home etc. For this depression you have been advised to take Selegiline transdermal patch (EMASAM). Selegiline is an inhibitor of MAO-A enzyme and the drug is useful in moderate to severe depression and some times in resistant depression. You were taking Lexapro and this is a SSRI drug. Taking Selegiline along with Lexapro may result in serious serotonin syndrome and you may suffer serious symptoms. So it is advisable to wait for at least a week to start a MAO-I drug after stopping a SSRI drug. So as per my opinion you should wait for at least a week. Don't forget to consult your doctor before starting the drug.
Thanks, hope this helps you.
Take Care
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