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Suggest An Effective Alternative To Escitalopram

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Posted on Thu, 8 Dec 2016
Question: Taking escitalopram for hot flashes x 1 month. works great!
have been on fluoxetine for several yrs for depression. provider sez should not take both what can I use instead of escitalopram for hot flashes.
Do not want to stop fluoxetine
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It is better if you can use escitalopram for both

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

As you might be knowing that escitalopram have good potential in depression alike fluoxetine it will be better if you can continue escitalopram and stop fluoxetine. This is because it helps in depression and can be used for both conditions. In case there are two medications risk of side effects are much higher than single medications such as serotonin syndrome.

In case you have already tried or feel that escitalopram is not helping you in depression I will recommend pristiq for both the hot flashes and depression.

I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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Suggest An Effective Alternative To Escitalopram

Brief Answer: It is better if you can use escitalopram for both Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. As you might be knowing that escitalopram have good potential in depression alike fluoxetine it will be better if you can continue escitalopram and stop fluoxetine. This is because it helps in depression and can be used for both conditions. In case there are two medications risk of side effects are much higher than single medications such as serotonin syndrome. In case you have already tried or feel that escitalopram is not helping you in depression I will recommend pristiq for both the hot flashes and depression. I hope this helps you. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386 Thanks and regards.