Suggest Treatment For Depression

Posted on Mon, 20 Jun 2016

Question: Hi Doctor

Warm wishes!
This is XXXX, 34 years old , From XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
I am taking

Venlift OD 75mg 0 0 1
Sizodon LS 1mg 0 0 1

I am on these medications from 12 years
I was suffering from depression when the medication started

The dosage started from 75+ 37.5mg of Venlifd OD
Respiridone 3mg

I am not sure about the diagnosis at that time
Currently i am doing descent wrt health , family , work and finances, ppl net work
I don't want to remember my past and I am maintaining diet and exercise pretty well
I am 6.2, 88kgs
Master health checkup parameters are within normal range done in august 2015
Pls let me know how to taper and come out of medicines

Thanks and Regards
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take the sizodone first

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concern.

From the available treatment records it seems that the original diagnosis was depression with psychotic features.

Since you are doing great for years I feel we can take off the antipsychotic medication (sizodon) while leaving away the antidpressant for few months.

Although there is no well established strategy fter so many years of use but I feel it will be appropriate to go down by 0.25 mg every two weeks. I mean to say that from current 1 mg you can go for 0.75 mg for two weeks and after than 0.5 mg for another two weeks and so on.

Regarding antidepressant (Venlafaxine) I feel it should be attempted after at least six months once sizodon is discontinued.

I hope this helps you.
I you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar