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Is Taking Tegretol With Abilify And Lorazepam Advisable?
I was prescribed one mg Lorazepam for anxiety and sleeplessness and I m sure my doctor knows that I have Copd and take Theophiline and have depression which I take Abilify and Fluoxetine for. Did I mention I am an epileptic taking 400 mg a day Tegratol. What would you do? I always look up new medicines before taking them, thank God. I like my doctor a lot but I can t help but wonder if he s too stressed, old, or just reckless. I am worried about using this medicine until I hear another doctor thinks it would be OK.
Thu, 23 Jan 2020
Hi,
Abilify is not meant for long term use. It has a black box warning for the elderly as it is associated with a lower life expectancy in this population. Theophiline can cause anxiety, sleeplessness and even seizures in an overdose context.
The combination isn't necessarily bad. Abilify is generally taken with an antidepressant but is supposed to be temporary. Lorazepam is also sometimes used with antidepressants and isn't even FDA approved for more than a few months at the most. Removal of HIGH amounts of lorazepam might produce seizures and cannot say in your particular case, but generally, it isn't that dangerous.
Mostly this combination occurs gradually with adding one drug to another and then the person gets into GOOD shape with the problems CONTROLLED. And without problems. Then, abilify is generally taken removed. Lorazepam is often removed or the dose gradually lowered, but then, it depends on the person and the dose and if the dose is really low. But the drugs together are not necessarily dangerous. It's the particular pattern. If the theophilline had to be increased and THEN anxiety came from it, that's a problem. Mostly, the anxiety was there and not related it theophilline at all.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Matt Wachsman, Addiction Medicine Specialist
Abilify is not meant for long term use. It has a black box warning for the elderly as it is associated with a lower life expectancy in this population. Theophiline can cause anxiety, sleeplessness and even seizures in an overdose context.
The combination isn't necessarily bad. Abilify is generally taken with an antidepressant but is supposed to be temporary. Lorazepam is also sometimes used with antidepressants and isn't even FDA approved for more than a few months at the most. Removal of HIGH amounts of lorazepam might produce seizures and cannot say in your particular case, but generally, it isn't that dangerous.
Mostly this combination occurs gradually with adding one drug to another and then the person gets into GOOD shape with the problems CONTROLLED. And without problems. Then, abilify is generally taken removed. Lorazepam is often removed or the dose gradually lowered, but then, it depends on the person and the dose and if the dose is really low. But the drugs together are not necessarily dangerous. It's the particular pattern. If the theophilline had to be increased and THEN anxiety came from it, that's a problem. Mostly, the anxiety was there and not related it theophilline at all.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Matt Wachsman, Addiction Medicine Specialist
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