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Suggest Medication For Anxiety And Depression

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Posted on Tue, 11 Aug 2015
Question: I am researching some other medication options for my daughter (age 19) She has definite anxiety with some depression. Was put on Effexor (150 mg to start then the GP changed it to 75 mg then to 37.5mg because it made her feel 'loopy') I think she needs something entirely different that treats both anxiety and depression. She was dx with ADHD at age 6. Has had depression and was on Wellbutrin before which worked for depression. Now she has significant anxiety episodes. So, I am exploring 1) a daily medication to keep her anxiety and depression stablized 2) a medication for when she does have an acute anxiety attack. thanks, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
SSRI are recommended

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.

Although Effexor is considered good option but not everybody tolerates it at higher dose.

Since she was having side effects with effexor (SNRI) in my opinion she should be shifted to any of the SSRI group of medications.

SSRIs having least side effects among the anti depressant medications which are useful for both anxiety and depression.
The available SSRIs include Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa and Vibryd.

You can talk to your doctor about these options. They are equally effective although Lexapro and Zoloft have more favorable data in compare to others in regard to depression but in anxiety there is no such differences noticed.

I will recommend prozac for her as it is activating medication and do not cause sedation in majority of patients. In addition it have robust data in adolescents as well as adults.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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Suggest Medication For Anxiety And Depression

Brief Answer: SSRI are recommended Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using healthcaremagic. Although Effexor is considered good option but not everybody tolerates it at higher dose. Since she was having side effects with effexor (SNRI) in my opinion she should be shifted to any of the SSRI group of medications. SSRIs having least side effects among the anti depressant medications which are useful for both anxiety and depression. The available SSRIs include Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa and Vibryd. You can talk to your doctor about these options. They are equally effective although Lexapro and Zoloft have more favorable data in compare to others in regard to depression but in anxiety there is no such differences noticed. I will recommend prozac for her as it is activating medication and do not cause sedation in majority of patients. In addition it have robust data in adolescents as well as adults. I hope this helps you. If you have more questions feel free to write back to me. Thanks and regards