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Suggest Remedy For Lack Of Exercise In A Elderly Taking Tancodep

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Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015
Question: My mother is nearly 80 and recently has been prescribed tancodep for depression. But after that she is afraid to walk using the walker, bends her legs when we try to get her to walk and is very afraid that we, who are holdign her,would let go and she would fall. Doc says dont stop, but continue & get her to drin plenty of water. What is your adise ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Tancodep should not be given to elderly

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.

I have read your query and understood your concerns.

Tancodep is a combination of drugs Imipramine and diazepam. Both of these drugs have very significant side effects in old age. Both are sedating and whatever problems she is facing is because of the drug only. Difficulty in walking, excessive sleepiness, giddiness, dizziness, falls, incontinence due to sedation, dry mouth, constipation, urinary problems and so many others. A woman of 80 years won't tolerate these drugs. she should not be given these drugs.

For depression in old age there are so many safe drugs available now, like escitalopram, sertraline. She can have one of these. It is very effective and safe.

In my patients I would stop these drugs. I suggest you to visit your psychiatrist and discuss the choice of drugs I have given. Do not take drugs without consulting any doctor. If she will continue on these drugs then her condition will worsen further.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then feel free to ask. Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ravi Soni (21 hours later)
Dear Doctor,

Thank you very much.I have consulted my doc and he also agrees the effects are of the drug.

What is the alternative - doc suggests alprax.

And how do I bring her out of the situation ?

Rgds
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Alprazolam will cause the same side effects

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.

Alprazolam is similar kind of drug and it will cause the similar side effects. I can not understand why you want to have your mother sedated? Is it for sleep or she has any other problem? alprazolam is not beneficial for depression. For depression I have suggested you drugs previously.

For depression she does not need any kind of benzodiazepine drug. She needs antidepressants like escitalopram, sertraline etc. With any of these drugs she will improve within a month.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then feel free to ask. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.

Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ravi Soni (22 hours later)
Dear Doctor,

Thanks. This medicine was prescribed as she was always talking negatively of her entire life, abusing everyone most of the time. She felt every one had wronged her. Would not sleep properly. Apetite was constantly good, so was output, but incontinence so had to use adult diaper for quite a few months now. The physiotheraphist has suggested consultations with a neurologist.

The variant of alprax now prescribed is trika 0.25

rgds
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Evaluation should be done for dementia

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.

There is a possibility that she might have dementia.
-Problems with remembering recent activities like who came for visit this morning? when did she has food? where she has put her belongings?
-difficulty in recognizing familiar faces,
-disorientation to time, place and person,
-worsening of the symptoms towards evening,
-talking alone,
-seeing someone,
-recalling the people from the past,
-believing that her belongings have been stolen and the home is not her real home
-blaming family members for stealing things,
-difficulty in doing her routine activities,
-difficulty in wearing clothes,
-requiring assistance in every activity,
-not able to eat properly,
-incontinence
All these symptoms are present in dementia.

She needs proper evaluation by geriatric psychiatrist or neurologist. Don't give sedatives like alprazolam or any other benzodiazepines. Sedation will make her more confused.

Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.

Wish you good health.
Note: Get a consultation booked to know more about aging related medical issues. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ravi Soni

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 538 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Lack Of Exercise In A Elderly Taking Tancodep

Brief Answer: Tancodep should not be given to elderly Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for writing through HCM. I have read your query and understood your concerns. Tancodep is a combination of drugs Imipramine and diazepam. Both of these drugs have very significant side effects in old age. Both are sedating and whatever problems she is facing is because of the drug only. Difficulty in walking, excessive sleepiness, giddiness, dizziness, falls, incontinence due to sedation, dry mouth, constipation, urinary problems and so many others. A woman of 80 years won't tolerate these drugs. she should not be given these drugs. For depression in old age there are so many safe drugs available now, like escitalopram, sertraline. She can have one of these. It is very effective and safe. In my patients I would stop these drugs. I suggest you to visit your psychiatrist and discuss the choice of drugs I have given. Do not take drugs without consulting any doctor. If she will continue on these drugs then her condition will worsen further. Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then feel free to ask. Wish you good health.