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What Causes Severe Stress After Taking Escitalopram?
Question: Hi - my daughter was prescribed Escitalopram 10 mg a few days ago because of GAD. This morning she work up feeling extreme stress and unable to function. It seemed unusually severe and without obvious cause - I am thinking it might be a reaction to the drug. IF so, should she stop taking it? (She has taken it for 3 days.) And are there other medicines that would be an alternative?
Brief Answer:
There are many alternatives
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
Although there are many alternatives for treatment of GAD, but most medications from the first line for GAD, cause increased anxiety and stress in few of the individuals. Although we can consider changing some other SSRI rather than Escitalopram but it is not a solution and we may encounter same problem with alternative medications. Stopping Escitalopram is not a guarantee that these side effects will be controlled in hours as it remains in the system for days.
Having said this these side effects are self limiting and hardly last beyond one week duration. It can be hoped that by end of week she will be fine.
Meantime if she faces extreme stress a low dose of Xanax or Klonopin should be used on need basis after discussing with her psychiatrist.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
There are many alternatives
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
Although there are many alternatives for treatment of GAD, but most medications from the first line for GAD, cause increased anxiety and stress in few of the individuals. Although we can consider changing some other SSRI rather than Escitalopram but it is not a solution and we may encounter same problem with alternative medications. Stopping Escitalopram is not a guarantee that these side effects will be controlled in hours as it remains in the system for days.
Having said this these side effects are self limiting and hardly last beyond one week duration. It can be hoped that by end of week she will be fine.
Meantime if she faces extreme stress a low dose of Xanax or Klonopin should be used on need basis after discussing with her psychiatrist.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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