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Question: hi,
I had faced depression during my marriage , then doctor prescribed me frext 50 mg morning and evening a year ago , used it for 6 months then i could stop it and happy after that.but recently i had a surgery and my family was not here i searched the stuff on the internet and couldnt sleep for days.was in a bad mood. went to doctor he prescribed me escogress 0.5 which is esctiloparam oxolate 10mg and clonozepam .5mg, used it for a month and stopped it. i could sleep well even after stopping it but when i wakek up in the morning it starts with full of negative thoughts and my entire day i will be worrying about the same.searching internet for something.recently i have been searching about this medicine if i can start it again. earlier i was using this medicine after dinner, to day i cut it into half and had it in the morning. what do you suggest?
I had faced depression during my marriage , then doctor prescribed me frext 50 mg morning and evening a year ago , used it for 6 months then i could stop it and happy after that.but recently i had a surgery and my family was not here i searched the stuff on the internet and couldnt sleep for days.was in a bad mood. went to doctor he prescribed me escogress 0.5 which is esctiloparam oxolate 10mg and clonozepam .5mg, used it for a month and stopped it. i could sleep well even after stopping it but when i wakek up in the morning it starts with full of negative thoughts and my entire day i will be worrying about the same.searching internet for something.recently i have been searching about this medicine if i can start it again. earlier i was using this medicine after dinner, to day i cut it into half and had it in the morning. what do you suggest?
Brief Answer:
You need to continue for at least 6 to 8 months
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood your concerns. The antidepressants treatment for first episode of depression is usually given for 6 to 8 months. If the drugs are stopped before this, symptoms relapse. So it is wise to continue drugs for at least 8 months even when you have completely improved.
Current is your second episode, in my patients with second episode of depression I would have given antidepressant for duration of 1 year. Initially, I would have given 10 mg of escitalopram with clonazepam 0.5. When my patient has developed normal sleep with the drug, I would have reduced clonazepam to 0.25 mg. This combination would be continued for at least 4 to 5 months and then I would start decreasing the dose of escitalopram. By the end of the year he would be receiving only 5 mg of escitalopram which can be discontinued easily.
Escitalopram is usually given during night time after dinner, if it is a combination of benzodiazepine with escitalopram then taking 1 hour before bedtime would be advisable.
Do not stop and start drugs on your own. Visit your psychiatrist and follow his advice.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further query then I shall be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
You need to continue for at least 6 to 8 months
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood your concerns. The antidepressants treatment for first episode of depression is usually given for 6 to 8 months. If the drugs are stopped before this, symptoms relapse. So it is wise to continue drugs for at least 8 months even when you have completely improved.
Current is your second episode, in my patients with second episode of depression I would have given antidepressant for duration of 1 year. Initially, I would have given 10 mg of escitalopram with clonazepam 0.5. When my patient has developed normal sleep with the drug, I would have reduced clonazepam to 0.25 mg. This combination would be continued for at least 4 to 5 months and then I would start decreasing the dose of escitalopram. By the end of the year he would be receiving only 5 mg of escitalopram which can be discontinued easily.
Escitalopram is usually given during night time after dinner, if it is a combination of benzodiazepine with escitalopram then taking 1 hour before bedtime would be advisable.
Do not stop and start drugs on your own. Visit your psychiatrist and follow his advice.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further query then I shall be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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