What Causes Depression And Suicidal Thoughts When On Prozac And Xanax?

Posted on Fri, 16 Jan 2015

Question: hi, my husband has been put on prozac, adderral and valium/xanax for depression and ADD. He has been taking these for about 6-8 weeks. he has been having extreme lows, severe depression and suicidal thoughts. He just told me he has taken approx 5 xanax, 5 valium and 5 percocet, as well as alchohol, over the past few hours. He said he hopes it will kill him and he wont wake up. So far, he seemed a bit out of it and clearly depressed but there were no physical signs that would make me think he was in danger. Does this sound like an amount that could cause overdose and should i be taking him to a hospital-which could possibily result in his attempting to drive away or take more as he was threathening if i do this.
thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I think there is need for hospitalization

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concern.

From your query it is not clear to me that what dosage he took of all substances as Xanax is available from 0.25 mg to one mg, similarly valium in dose strength of 5 10 and 20 mg and similar thing applicable to percolet.

Even i consider the lowet possible dose there is chance that he may go respiratory depression due to inhibitory effect of all four substances. You must be knowing that all four substances are central nervous system (CNS) depression and work n similar line causing irreversible CNS depression.

I must inform you that there is always some lag between clinical situation and absorption as all these substances take some time in absorption to body system. It is possible that in next few hours he may shift to coma.

Considering this scenario in my view he need to attend hospital as soon as possible. If you are not able to do alone call the ambulance or law enforcing agency to get him admitted.

I hope I am clear to you.
If you have any more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (10 minutes later)

Thank you very much for your reply. I think that the valium and xanax were the smallest dose pills.
i wanted to ask you if you would give this advice regardless of his physical make up and general high tolerance to drugs? i am not sure that he has taken as large an amount in the oast but i do know that he has mixed and tolerated various combinations of things.
thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

The above answer is applicable for a average middle age men who is otherwise healthy except the psychiatric problems.
In case he is suffering with some other metabolic disorder such as liver or kidney problem the risk is more for CNS depression. Similarly if he is lean and thin the most of drugs will be in circulation making it more risky.

I hope this clears your doubt.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards

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