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Suggest Treatment For Depression While On Prozac
Posted on
Wed, 5 Apr 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 5 Apr 2017
Answered on
Thu, 27 Apr 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, I have suffered from depression on and off for 15 years now. In normal times I take a combination of Aurorix and Prozac and I'm fine. My main problem is that I have very low levels of energy(and consequently don't want to work, see anyone or getting out of home).
At the moment I'm trying to conceive.
Last time I was pregnant I had to take off the Aurorix and I felt awful, the only thing the psychiatrist would manage would be the Prozac increasing and decreasing the dose, but it didn't work for me. I wouldn't say I had a happy pregnancy.
I'm trying to conceive at the moment and I was prescribed Amitriptyline, first 10 mg (by my GP) and then 75 by my psychiatrist (who said that 10 mg wouldn't have any anti depressant effect). I asked for a second opinion, my usual psychiatrist (I'm expat) and he said that Amitriptyline wouldn't be effective, its an antidepressant from the fifties, outdated and only used in very specific situations. He prescribed me Triticum, Elontril and Fluvoxamina. I have to say that this doctor usually prescribes high doses of medicines, and fortunately it has worked for me and I was able to had a normal life (work, family, etc) but now that I want to conceive I feel very worried that this medicines will harm the baby. I'm not taking anything at the moment and I'm not feeling well. I would like to know your opinion about taking Triticum, Elontril and Fluvoxamina while trying to conceive and eventually getting pregnant.
At the moment I'm trying to conceive.
Last time I was pregnant I had to take off the Aurorix and I felt awful, the only thing the psychiatrist would manage would be the Prozac increasing and decreasing the dose, but it didn't work for me. I wouldn't say I had a happy pregnancy.
I'm trying to conceive at the moment and I was prescribed Amitriptyline, first 10 mg (by my GP) and then 75 by my psychiatrist (who said that 10 mg wouldn't have any anti depressant effect). I asked for a second opinion, my usual psychiatrist (I'm expat) and he said that Amitriptyline wouldn't be effective, its an antidepressant from the fifties, outdated and only used in very specific situations. He prescribed me Triticum, Elontril and Fluvoxamina. I have to say that this doctor usually prescribes high doses of medicines, and fortunately it has worked for me and I was able to had a normal life (work, family, etc) but now that I want to conceive I feel very worried that this medicines will harm the baby. I'm not taking anything at the moment and I'm not feeling well. I would like to know your opinion about taking Triticum, Elontril and Fluvoxamina while trying to conceive and eventually getting pregnant.
Brief Answer:
Use should be with caution but the drugs can be used.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
I can understand your concern. You are taking Triticum which is Trazodone, Elontril or Bupropion and Fluvoxamine which is a SSRI drug. All of these drugs are not associated with significant effects on developing foetus and can be used during pregnancy.
The drugs should be used in pregnancy only benefit of use overweighs risk to foetus.
Theoretically any drug use in pregnancy can affect the foetus. But if you are more anxious the you can talk with your doctor and ask for changing the drugs. Monotherapy with Sertraline which is a SSRI drug can become one option. The drug is considered as safer relative to all other antidepressants used in pregnancy and is associated with minimal effects on foetus.
I'd also advise you to start taking Folic acid supplements prior to conception and continue to use during pregnancy. This will minimise the effects of drugs on foetus.
Thanks, Please talk with your doctor regarding Sertraline.
Take care
Use should be with caution but the drugs can be used.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
I can understand your concern. You are taking Triticum which is Trazodone, Elontril or Bupropion and Fluvoxamine which is a SSRI drug. All of these drugs are not associated with significant effects on developing foetus and can be used during pregnancy.
The drugs should be used in pregnancy only benefit of use overweighs risk to foetus.
Theoretically any drug use in pregnancy can affect the foetus. But if you are more anxious the you can talk with your doctor and ask for changing the drugs. Monotherapy with Sertraline which is a SSRI drug can become one option. The drug is considered as safer relative to all other antidepressants used in pregnancy and is associated with minimal effects on foetus.
I'd also advise you to start taking Folic acid supplements prior to conception and continue to use during pregnancy. This will minimise the effects of drugs on foetus.
Thanks, Please talk with your doctor regarding Sertraline.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
ans what dose of sertraline could be therapeutic and safe?
Brief Answer:
Sertraline in dose of 100-200 mg is relatively safe
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Sertraline in dose of 100-200 mg can help to control the symptoms and will affect the outcome of pregnancy minimally.
The drug is relatively safe.
Thanks and Take care.
Sertraline in dose of 100-200 mg is relatively safe
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Sertraline in dose of 100-200 mg can help to control the symptoms and will affect the outcome of pregnancy minimally.
The drug is relatively safe.
Thanks and Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Dear Dr. Bishnoi,
Only now I've realized that Sertraline is the generic version for Zoloft. I've tried it in the past and didn't work for me so I think I will give it a try to the 3 combined medicines, Triticum, Elontril and Fluvoxamine as I feel more assured now that I got a second opinion about this treatment.
I would also would like to ask if I can take Solian for about 30 days, as usually this works quite fast as an antidepressant (starts working in about 3 to 5 days) as the other medicines usually take 15 to 30 days to start working. Again, my concern is that I am trying to conceive but at the same time I have responsibilities that need me to be healthy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Only now I've realized that Sertraline is the generic version for Zoloft. I've tried it in the past and didn't work for me so I think I will give it a try to the 3 combined medicines, Triticum, Elontril and Fluvoxamine as I feel more assured now that I got a second opinion about this treatment.
I would also would like to ask if I can take Solian for about 30 days, as usually this works quite fast as an antidepressant (starts working in about 3 to 5 days) as the other medicines usually take 15 to 30 days to start working. Again, my concern is that I am trying to conceive but at the same time I have responsibilities that need me to be healthy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Brief Answer:
Fluvoxamine can alone help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
If Zoloft didn't work but Fluvoxamine is working so in that case you can continue to take Fluvoxamine without worries. Ask your doctor to reduce doses of Trazodone and Bupropion gradually. You can continue take Fluvoxamine alone during pregnancy and this will not cause much adverse effects.
Solian is Amisulpride and is an antipsychotic drug. The drug is good for early response in depression but this can't help in depression in monotherapy. Use in pregnancy should be avoided.
Try to remain relaxed, even on monotherapy you will do good.
Thanks and Take care.
Fluvoxamine can alone help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
If Zoloft didn't work but Fluvoxamine is working so in that case you can continue to take Fluvoxamine without worries. Ask your doctor to reduce doses of Trazodone and Bupropion gradually. You can continue take Fluvoxamine alone during pregnancy and this will not cause much adverse effects.
Solian is Amisulpride and is an antipsychotic drug. The drug is good for early response in depression but this can't help in depression in monotherapy. Use in pregnancy should be avoided.
Try to remain relaxed, even on monotherapy you will do good.
Thanks and Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
I was thinking, I took the day after pill (emergency contraception) about 2 month ago and I think I'm feeling worst since then. Is this possible? Is there anything I can do to make it better? I'm feeling more tired, nausea, depressed and isolated than usual. How long will it last?
Brief Answer:
The emergency pill could worsen the symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Yes, Emergency contraception sometimes results in mood swings and worsening of mood. But these symptoms last for a couple of days in most individuals. I don't think persistent worsening of mood you are having is due to use of emergency pills. Though we may assume that these triggered the depressive symptoms.
As we discussed please discuss with your doctor and ask to increase the dose of Fluvoxamine and to stop other two drugs you are taking.
Take supplements with Omega-3- Fatty acids and vitamin B12 in addition to Folic acid. Both these supplements will improve the mood and will augment the actions of anti depressant drugs too. If possible exercise for at least half hour a day. Sleep for at least 7 hours. All these life style changes will improve the mood and will improve your activity level.
Thanks.
Take care
The emergency pill could worsen the symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Yes, Emergency contraception sometimes results in mood swings and worsening of mood. But these symptoms last for a couple of days in most individuals. I don't think persistent worsening of mood you are having is due to use of emergency pills. Though we may assume that these triggered the depressive symptoms.
As we discussed please discuss with your doctor and ask to increase the dose of Fluvoxamine and to stop other two drugs you are taking.
Take supplements with Omega-3- Fatty acids and vitamin B12 in addition to Folic acid. Both these supplements will improve the mood and will augment the actions of anti depressant drugs too. If possible exercise for at least half hour a day. Sleep for at least 7 hours. All these life style changes will improve the mood and will improve your activity level.
Thanks.
Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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