Suggest Dosage For Dexedrine

Posted on Wed, 4 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 4 Nov 2015 Answered on

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am taking 90 milligrams of Cymbalta at night and during the day I am so tired the doctor has me on Dexedrine but I am so tired all day and depressed I feel it hard to function. Please help me.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question.

You describe depression complicated by somnolence during the day, and want help feeling better. I think your doctor is on the right track with his approach here. He has you on Cymbalta, an SNRI, augmented with a stimulant, Dexedrine, to help perk you up. My view here is that your fatigue/somnolence is a symptom of your depression, and therefore, treating the depression is the most important thing here. I recommend increasing the dose of Cymbalta as quickly as you can tolerate it, up to a maximum of 120mg daily. You need to give this dose up to 8 weeks to see full benefit. You can also consider increasing the Dexedrine, but I think increasing the Cymbalta is attacking the root of the problem.

I hope this was helpful to you. In the future, write to me at my private link below, to allow for continuity of care on this site.

My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX psychiatrist working in New York City. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (20 minutes later)

I would like to know what you recommend for depression; is Cymbalta the right way to go. Also, I have heard that Dexedrine is an upper and therefore is bad for you to take. Do you feel that my root problem is depression which is causing my constant fatigue.
Thank you, again

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow-up

Detailed Answer:
Cymbalta is a good choice for now. Unfortunately these medications take time to work, so you really need to be on the maximum dose for 8 weeks to know if this is the proper medication for you. I would increase to 120mg and see.

Dexedrine has been shown to be helpful for people with neurovegetative symptoms of depression such as excessive fatigue. I don't think it will treat the root problem, depression, but it will help with the symptom of fatigue while the antidepressant is taking care of the core problem.

For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj