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I Wanted An Opinion On Escitalopram If This May Be The Right Thing To Do
Posted on
Thu, 13 Oct 2022
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 13 Oct 2022
Answered on
Wed, 18 Sep 2024
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi there.
I’m currently on the following medication for Bipolar Depression.
Lamotrigine 300mg
Bupropion XL 300mg
Escitalopram 30mg
I know longer have access to any of the doctors that had prescribed any of them, no access to the psychiatrist that helped me figure out the right combination, and am currently on a very long waiting list for a GP.
I believe the Escitalopram has decreased my sex drive to pretty well nothing, and was wondering about scaling back or getting rid of it altogether to try and get that drive back.
I wanted an opinion on if this may be the right thing to do. I’ve been on this combination of meds for about 5 years now and have been hesitant to change it. But having no sex drive is starting to affect my relationship with my wife. I’ve tried taking different supplements, I exercise a lot but nothing seems to work.
I’m currently on the following medication for Bipolar Depression.
Lamotrigine 300mg
Bupropion XL 300mg
Escitalopram 30mg
I know longer have access to any of the doctors that had prescribed any of them, no access to the psychiatrist that helped me figure out the right combination, and am currently on a very long waiting list for a GP.
I believe the Escitalopram has decreased my sex drive to pretty well nothing, and was wondering about scaling back or getting rid of it altogether to try and get that drive back.
I wanted an opinion on if this may be the right thing to do. I’ve been on this combination of meds for about 5 years now and have been hesitant to change it. But having no sex drive is starting to affect my relationship with my wife. I’ve tried taking different supplements, I exercise a lot but nothing seems to work.
Brief Answer:
You should be under the care of a psychiatrist
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
With your diagnosis of Bipolar Depression, it would be important to be under the care of a doctor, preferably a psychiatrist, who can monitor you while making any changes. The medications you are on are not a typical combination for Bipolar Depression, so I would assume it has been a process of trial and error to get the right combination for you.
However, you are probably right that the escitalopram is at least partially responsible for your lack of sex drive, and so if you have been well controlled on these medications for several years, it might be reasonable to try to taper the escitalopram down and see if that seems to help. Usually we would taper it slowly, such as down to 20 mg for 4 weeks, then 10 mg for 4 weeks, and then 10 mg every other day for 4 weeks, and then stop, watching closely for signs of withdrawal (dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and many others) or worsening bipolar or depression, and if they occur, the previous dose should be resumed. But again, this would best be done under the supervision of your psychiatrist.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Thanks.
You should be under the care of a psychiatrist
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
With your diagnosis of Bipolar Depression, it would be important to be under the care of a doctor, preferably a psychiatrist, who can monitor you while making any changes. The medications you are on are not a typical combination for Bipolar Depression, so I would assume it has been a process of trial and error to get the right combination for you.
However, you are probably right that the escitalopram is at least partially responsible for your lack of sex drive, and so if you have been well controlled on these medications for several years, it might be reasonable to try to taper the escitalopram down and see if that seems to help. Usually we would taper it slowly, such as down to 20 mg for 4 weeks, then 10 mg for 4 weeks, and then 10 mg every other day for 4 weeks, and then stop, watching closely for signs of withdrawal (dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and many others) or worsening bipolar or depression, and if they occur, the previous dose should be resumed. But again, this would best be done under the supervision of your psychiatrist.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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