I Was Prescribed Cipralex 10mg And Lorivan 1mg And Was

Posted on Mon, 3 Dec 2018

Question: i was prescribed cipralex 10mg and lorivan 1mg and was told to take lorivan in morning and cipralex at night. for my anxiety. what are the differences between the two? what do they do? and dont fgey both do the same?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It depends from one person to another, please see the detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service...
I've gone through your query in details...

I can understand your concerns...

Let me come directly the answers of your queries one by one:

Cipralex belongs to the SSRI class of medications which works by restoring the balance of a certain natural substance (Serotonin) in the brain. While Lorivan belongs to the Benzodiazepine class of medications which enhance the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that calms brain activity. So, not only they are different types of medications but their mode of actions are different too.

Cipralex is a relatively longer acting one and it has novel actions on our sleep cycle, which is why I suppose you're advised to take it at night.

Lorivan is metabolized rather quickly and in fact can have tolerance potential, and some unwanted effects on our sleep, which is why possibly it was advised to you to take in the morning.

No, they both act differently and their after-effects are not the same either. In fact, it's a novel combination which you've been prescribed, so my suggestions would be to take it exactly as advised by your doctor.

Do also report back to your treating doctor during/completion of the course as routine follow-ups are necessary to supervise the further titration of the dosage and requirement of the therapy in the long run.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take Care
Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (8 minutes later)

so these two will help with my anxiety?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes, they should be, don't worry...

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back...

Yes, they should be able to help with your anxiety...

Don't worry, just start the therapy as already advised, you'd be seeing the improvements within a while only...

Take Care
Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (10 hours later)

theyre safe to take ? like one in the morning and one before sleeping? theres people that get prescribed both of these?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow as already advised...

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back...

Any medication, when taken under the proper supervision of the prescribing doctor, is considered safe. Please don't worry...

You can take them as already advised by your treating doctor...

Wish you good health...

Take Care
Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (1 hour later)

I do smoke, and i want to know if it takes away the effect of the medicine or it stays the same?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up consultation...

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,

Well, smoking doesn't affect the Cipralex but it can reduce the effects of Lorivan in some individuals. So, you may require a higher dose of Lorivan.

However, it'll be wise to start with the initial dosage of 1mg as your doctor has already prescribed and observe the progress thereafter. In case, there's no marked improvement then a higher dose regimen may be required. Please inform this to your doctor also to keep him/her in the loop.

Take Care
Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (1 hour later)

today is tge first day i took it but it seems like its helping. i feel a change. Also is drinking alcohol ok? obviously not at the same time but like hours later like 8hrs later. not too much, like wine or beer

Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
please see the detailed answer below...

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,

Good to know that you've started feeling the change...

No, alcohol is something you should be avoiding during this phase strictly (specially since the therapy is just started, at least let it go on for a while, then again can be reconsidered, but definitely not now)...

Let's just focus on the therapy and go on with it as already advised...

Take Care
Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (31 minutes later)

but ive drank alcohol while on cipralex before (few months ago) but then stopped taking it and now im back on it but eith anither medicne as well lorivan

Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
this is exactly why you should be avoiding alcohol even more...

Detailed Answer:
Well, you yourself have answered this...

Since you've already been on Cipralex before, and now on another drug as in Lorivan, the primary focus should be on the therapy itself and go on with it as already advised...

Moreover, alcohol has quite significant drug interactions along with Lorivan (the Benzodiazepine group) and this can increase drug tolerance and addiction potential which could be quite severe...So you should avoid alcohol altogether and just go on with the therapy...

Get well soon...

Take Care
Kind Regards

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee